Lipids are a very important component of the skin, sebum, and hair. The unique lipids in, for example, the inter-corneocyte layers of the stratum corneum provide an essential role in skin barrier function and water homeostasis. Sebum lipids provide extra water barrier function and help control the skin surface microbiome, and hair follicle lipids create the cell membrane complex that holds together the hair shaft. In some instances, it is important to understand the precise chemical composition of hair, sebum, and skin lipids and how they can be impacted by differents conditions like aging, environmental stresses (pollution, UV exposure) or application of a specific topical treatment. The chromatography and mass spectrometry facilities at TRI can be used for such in-depth, lipidomic studies. TRI has capabilities in three areas: High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC), High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), and Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectroscopy (GCMS). These techniques can be adapted to a wide range of lipidomic studies. Contact us to discuss your testing needs.