Comparative analysis of the skin surface lipids between acne patients and controls using UFLC method

Acne is a chronic inflammatory disease of pilosebaceous units. This study aims to analyze the composition of skin surface lipids in patients with acne compared to controls to correlate the severity of acne. The severity of acne was graded according to the standard grading system in clinical terms. Skin surface lipid samples were collected by rubbing the skin over the face with a swab soaked in hexane for a minute. The analysis was performed by UFLC with a UV detector. Subjects with acne were found to have a significantly higher quantity of squalene (p < 0.001) in the sebum. The free fatty acids (FFAs)—specifically, oleic acid (p = 0.002) and stearic acid (p = 0.013)—were elevated, whereas linoleic acid (p < 0.001) was decreased in the sebum of acne patients compared to controls. The mean scores of squalene were higher as the clinical grade of acne increased. However, the free fatty acids did not show a significant correlation with the clinical grading. The study revealed an increased level of skin surface lipids in patients with acne vulgaris, particularly in FFAs, conforming the role of sebum in the pathogenesis of acne. A specific therapeutic agent may play a crucial role in the management of acne.