Internal wool lipids (IWLs) are rich in cholesterol, free fatty acids, cholesteryl sulfate, and, mainly, ceramides.The repairing effect of these lipids structured as liposomes was demonstrated by reinforcing theskin-barrier integrity and increasing the water-holding capacity when applied onto the skin. This workwas focused on the formation of liposomes with IWLs rich in ceramides, obtained at pilot plant level withorganic solvent extraction by using methanol and acetone. The lipid composition of the two extracts wasquantitatively analyzed. IWL extracts containing different amounts of sterol sulfate were used to form liposomesat physiologic pH. Vesicle size distribution, polydispersity index, and zeta potential of all liposomeswere determined to characterize them and to study their stability. The results obtained showed that IWLextract composition, which was different depending on the extraction methodologies used, greatly influencesthe characteristics of the liposomes formed. Vesicular size and polydispersity index liposomes weresmaller when the extract composition contained a higher proportion of either free fatty acids or sterolsulfate. Moreover, liposome stability was improved when some amount of sterol sulfate was added to thecomposition of methanol and acetone extracts. This natural mixture with keratinaceous origin could havea special interest for cosmetic or dermopharmaceutical companies.
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