Stratum corneum lipid

The stratum corneum lipid is not a single molecule or classical biochemical target but refers to the complex mixture of lipids present in the outermost layer of the skin, known as the stratum corneum. These lipids—primarily ceramides, free fatty acids, and cholesterol—are essential for skin barrier integrity, preventing excessive transepidermal water loss, and protecting against invasion by pathogens, allergens, and irritants[2][3]. The lipid profile is highly specialized, with an abundance of saturated, long-chain fatty acids and a unique repertoire of ceramides, which together with cholesterol form a lamellar structure critical for physical barrier function[2][3]. Abnormalities in these lipids are associated with skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis, eczema, and general barrier dysfunction[1][2][3]. Strategies targeting stratum corneum lipid enhancement are typically classified as barrier repair therapies rather than "drug-target" interactions in a molecular pharmacology context[1]. Note: This is not a therapeutic target in the conventional sense (receptor, enzyme, transporter, etc.), but rather a structural and functional component of the skin barrier; thus, "is_target" is set to false and "is_incorrect" to true for use as a conventional drug target[2][3].

Other names

Stratum corneum lipidsSkin barrier lipidsSC lipidsEpidermal surface lipids