Stratum corneum Lipids in Skin Xerosis

Abstract

Lipids of the stratum corneum are implicated in cohesion and desquamation of the stratum corneum as well as in the maintenance of normal barrier function. Evidence linking the intercellular lipids to such processes has mainly been derived from studies on acquired or inherited diseases of lipid metabolism manifesting abnormalities in the structure and the function of the stratum corneum. We have studied the composition of stratum corneum lipids in clinically normal individuals with typical xerosis or ‘winter dry skin’ in order to establish if the lipid composition differs from that of normal individuals, showing no signs of xerosis. The amount of total stratum corneum lipids was not related to xerosis (22.0 ± 1.8 μg/cm² for normal skin, and 26.3 ± 2.9 μg/cm² for severe xerosis), and no correlation was evident between polar lipids, cholesterol sulfate (2.8 ± 0.5% for normal skin, and 1.6 ± 0.2% for severe xerosis), or ceramides types I-VI, and dry skin. It therefore appears that dramatic changes in stratum corneum lipids are not detectable in normal ‘winter dry’ skin. However, a decreased proportion of neutral lipids (sterol esters, triglycerides), coupled to increased amounts of free fatty acids were found associated to the severity of dry skin. Apart from a decline in the sebaceous function and in esterases activity, winter dry skin does not appear to be associated to dramatic changes in polar stratum corneum lipids.

Dry Skin: Environmental Aspects

“…Fulmer and Kramer [68] also observed dramatic reductions in the levels of long-chain fatty acids also in dry skin. Conversely, Saint-Leger et al [69] did not fi nd any changes in ceramide levels in dry skin but found increased fatty acid levels. Rawlings et al [39] then demonstrated that ceramides in particular were very much reduced in the superfi cial layers of the SC in soapinduced dry skin.…”

Irritant Contact Dermatitis: Mechanisms to Repair

“…An excess concentration of cholesterol with a relative deficiency of cholesterol esters has been identified in SDS-induced dry skin, xerotic skin and atopic skin [57,62,63]. When skin was irritated with SDS to induce ICD and was then treated with either a 1% cholesterol base or 1% cholesterol ester base, the skin that was treated with cholesterol showed no improvements in conductance values while the cholesterol ester basetreated skin did show improvements in conductance values [63].…”

A New Dermocosmetic Balm for the Management of Xerosis: Results from a Non-Interventional, Non-Comparative, Prospective Multicenter Study

“…[1][2][3] Xerosis is caused by several physiopathological factors influencing the integrity of the skin barrier, resulting in modifications of the stratum corneum, the composition of intracellular lipids and of the hydrolipidic film, as well as the trans epidermal water loss and the cutaneous pH. 1,4 Depending on the pathology, there is a predominance of either keratinization or intercorneocytar lipid problems. Both types of abnormalities are found in all xerosis types.…”