Preparation and characterization of nonionic surfactant vesicles

In this study the lipid organisation of the upper layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, has been determined by small and wide angle x-ray diffraction and a comparison has been made between the lipid organisation in human, pig and mouse stratum corneum. The studies revealed a very exceptional lipid organisation. In human, pig and mouse stratum corneum two lamellar phases were found with repeat distance of approximately 13 and 6 nm, respectively. Using wide angle x-ray diffraction, an orthorhombic and a hexagonal lateral packing was mainly found. The only exception was mouse stratum corneum, in which a liquid phase was also present. The 13 nm phase and the crystalline/hexagonal packing are suggested to be very important for the barrier function of the skin.