Sebum composition: a comparison of thin-layer chromatography and infrared reflectance spectroscopy

Thin-layer chromatography and infrared reflectance spectroscopy were compared as methods for measuring sebum composition. Solutions of varying known concentrations of free fatty acids and triglycerides were analyzed by both methods. Skin surface lipid samples were similarly analyzed. Infrared spectroscopy produced more variable data than thin-layer chromatography with photodensitometry. This was particularly true at low concentrations of free fatty acids. It is concluded that thin-layer chromatography with photodensitometry is a more accurate method for the measurement of sebum composition.