Age-Associated Changes in Stratum corneum Lipids and Their Relation to Dryness

Abstract

Stratum corneum lipids (SCL) were collected on the right and left legs of 50 subjects of varying ages and skin dryness. The level of dryness and composition of the lipid was the same on both sides. While skin dryness continuously increased with age, the composition of SCL showed a constant profile from the 50s. Aging was mostly associated with a decrease in sterol esters and triglycerides. On the legs, the SCL do not seem to primarily govern the increased desquamative process which features xerosis.