Phospholipids (inci)

Phospholipids, also known as phosphatides or phospholipids (obsolete name) are naturally occurring complex lipids containing phosphoric acid in ester form. Phospholipids are divided into:

• Phosphoglycerides also called glycerophospholipids, which are formed by esterification of glycerol-3-phosphoric acid with a saturated (R1) and an unsaturated fatty acid (R2) (see figure).
• Sphingophospholipids, also known as sphingosine phosphatides or sphingomyelins (derivatives of the unsaturated, divalent, C18 amino alcohol sphingosine). In this group of substances, the amino group of sphingosine forms a compound with a fatty acid. The hydroxyl group is esterified with phosphorylcholine.

Phospholipids are present in varying amounts in all organisms at the structure of biological membranes. Phospholipids are particularly abundant in the brain and in the myelin sheaths of the nerves (nerve cells).

Cosmetics: Phospholipids are used in cosmetics as liposome formers for skin care.