UJI HIDRASI EMULGEL BAHAN AKTIF CERAMIDE DAN MINYAK JAGUNG (Zea mays l.) SEBAGAI MOISTURIZER

Background: Indonesia’s tropical climate exposes the population to high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which contributes to decreased skin hydration and impairment of the skin barrier. Ceramide, a natural lipid within the stratum corneum, plays a crucial role in maintaining moisture and reducing transepidermal water loss. Corn oil (Zea mays L.), rich in linoleic acid and vitamin E, functions as an emollient and antioxidant. The combination of these ingredients is expected to enhance skin hydration effectively.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the hydrating effectiveness of an emulgel containing 1% ceramide and 10% corn oil compared with a base formulation without active ingredients.
Methods: The experimental study involved 30 female students aged 20–25 years with dry skin. Skin hydration was measured using a skin analyzer before and after application over 14 days. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test for the non-active formula (F0) and paired t-test for the active formula (F1).
Result and Conclusion : The results indicated that formula with no active ingredients produced a slight increase of 0.53 hydration points, statistically significant yet clinically negligible. In contrast, formula with active ingridients demonstrated a substantial improvement of 11.67 hydration points with p < 0.001 and a very large effect size. These findings show that ceramide and corn oil synergistically enhance water retention and strengthen the skin barrier.