Detection and Analysis of Ceramide in Skin and Blood in a Healthy Chinese Population

To explore the significance of ceramide in the skin barrier and its potential utility within the cosmetics industry, an accurate and high-speed method was used to detect the types of ceramides in the skin and blood of a healthy Chinese population. Forearm cortical skin stratum corneum samples were obtained from four healthy subjects using a noninvasive method. In addition, these subjects were collected intravenously to obtain blood samples. Ceramides were detected in skin and blood samples using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with specialized high-resolution Fourier Transform mass spectrometry machine. Data were analyzed using full-flow lipid analysis software. Peaks representing ceramides were detected in all skin samples and some blood samples. The results show that ceramides in skin are predominantly long-chain ceramides, but mainly short-chain in the blood. Simple and fast qualitative and quantitative analysis of ceramide in the skin and blood provides a basis for the precise addition of ceramide in future skin care products and the metabolic regulation and prevention of various diseases.