Our skin is the interface between us and our environment – a flexible barrier that has evolved for protection, immunity, regulation and sensation. Once regarded as inert, we now know that it is a dynamic environment. Skin lipids are crucial to the structure and function of skin. From deep in the hypodermis, through the ceramide-rich epidermis, to the lipids of the skin surface, there are a vast array of different lipids with important roles to play. This review firstly discusses the lipid composition of human skin and secondly, changes that have been found in skin lipid composition in different skin diseases. Further research into skin lipids facilitated by ever-improving methodologies will no doubt generate new knowledge, paving the way for diagnosis, prevention and treatment of skin disorders and diseases.

我们的皮肤是我们与环境之间的界面——一个灵活的屏障，它已经进化为保护、免疫、调节和感觉。曾经被认为是惰性的，我们现在知道它是一个动态环境。皮肤脂质对皮肤的结构和功能至关重要。从皮下组织深处，到富含神经酰胺的表皮，再到皮肤表面的脂质，有大量不同的脂质发挥着重要作用。本综述首先讨论了人类皮肤的脂质组成，其次讨论了不同皮肤病中皮肤脂质组成的变化。不断改进的方法促进对皮肤脂质的进一步研究无疑会产生新的知识，为诊断、预防和治疗皮肤疾病和疾病铺平道路。