Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 26, 2026
Holistic Facial Composite Creation and Subsequent Video Line-up Eyewitness Identification Paradigm
Published on: December 24, 2015
Characterization of circadian human facial surface lipid composition
Yan Jia1,2, Mingyue Zhou1,2, Hong Huang3
1Beijing Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Research and Development, School of Science, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing, China.
Background:
The circadian rhythm is an endogenous clock that governs a wide range of physiological functions. In the skin, rhythmic changes in skin barrier function have been investigated at the physiological level; however, few studies at the molecular level have been reported. Additionally, there is no study on lipidomic profile variations of skin surface lipid (SSL), which could potentially explain the rhythmic changes in skin status.
Objectives:
The SSL profile of healthy young women was analysed to assess SSL variations and to assess the skin status during the circadian cycle.
Methods:
Ultra performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry and multivariate data analysis were performed to assess SSL variations.
Results:
The lipidomic profile showed significant differences with the circadian rhythm. Multivariate data analysis indicated that glycerolipids were the lipids majorly affected by the circadian rhythm. Additionally, in the SSL profile, both the average chain length and the content of free fatty acids (FFAs) were higher at 20:00 than at 08:00.
Conclusions:
The SSL profile significantly varied with respect to the circadian rhythm. The rhythm-altered triacylglycerol level, FFA chain length and FFA content resulted in rhythmic changes in skin barrier function, including transepidermal water loss alteration and pH variation.
Related Concept Videos
03:38Structure of Lipids
01:06Lipid Digestion
01:38What are Lipids?
01:31Lipid-derived Compounds in the Human Body
Fat-soluble Vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, are required in minimal quantities, but their deficiencies can lead to severely abnormal physiological conditions. For example, vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness, dry skin,...
03:35Classifying Matter by Composition
According to its composition, the matter can be classified into two broad categories — pure substances and mixtures.
A pure substance is a form of matter that has a constant composition throughout with uniform properties. For example, any sample of sucrose has the same composition and same physical properties, such as melting point, color, and sweetness, regardless of the source from which it is isolated.
A mixture is composed of two or...
01:24Facial Feedback Hypothesis