A natural lipid mixture improves barrier function and hydration in human and murine skin

Previous studies have demonstrated that three key lipids, cholesterol, free fatty acids, and ceramides, are required for maintenance of the epidermal permeability barrier function in murine and human epidermis. Moreover, it has been shown that all three lipids are required together for barrier function, because only topical applications of complete, equimolar three-component lipid mixtures allow normal barrier recovery in disrupted skin. In contrast, single- or two-component lipid mixtures delay normal barrier recovery. Furthermore, increasing the ratio of any single lipid species, i.e., cholesterol, ceramides, or free fatty acid, to the other two lipids in the three-lipid component mixture actually accelerates barrier recovery in murine and human epidermis. Here we assess whether a natural lipid mixture, containing these three key lipids in addition to a large amount of phospholipids, influences barrier recovery and skin hydration in both murine and human skin. Our results show that this natural lipid mixture enhances barrier recovery significantly in acetone-treated mouse skin. Moreover, this natural lipid mixture also accelerates barrier recovery in acetone-treated and tape-stripped human skin. Finally, this natural lipid mixture increases stratum corneum hydration in both acutely disrupted and normal human skin. These studies show that this naturally occurring lipid mixture can both accelerate permeability barrier recovery and enhance stratum corneum moisturization.