Analysis of all stratum corneum lipids by automated multiple development high-performance thin-layer chromatography.

An optimized gradient enabling the separation of all stratum corneum lipids by automated multiple development on HPTLC plates is presented. An initial isocratic step separates sebum lipids. This is followed by a 25-step development using a gradient with a polarity range of methanol-water to hexane. Application to in-vivo extracted and isolated stratum corneum lipids demonstrates the possible quantification of the lipid classes with a "one-experiment" separation.