Anatomical Variation in the Amount and Composition of Human Skin Surface Lipid

Abstract

Quantitative thin-layer chromatography was employed for determining the amount and composition of skin surface lipid from the forehead, cheek, chest, back, side, arm, and leg of adult male subjects. These data served as a basis for determining the relative contribution of epidermal and sebaceous lipids to the extractable surface lipid. The results indicate that lipid produced by the epidermis is an insignificant fraction of the total extractable surface lipid on areas rich in sebaceous glands, but can affect surface lipid composition on the limbs and on the trunk away from the midline. The amount of epidermal lipid recovered from the skin surface averaged between 5 and 10 μ per sq cm, compared with average recoveries of 150 to 300 μ of sebum per sq cm from the forehead.