Lamellar structure refers to the orderly, stacked arrangement of lipids in the skin barrier. This arrangement is not random; lipid molecules form tightly packed layers in a specific geometry — the basis of the barrier's water-retaining capacity.
The tightest, most orderly packing best limits water passage. When the barrier is compromised, this arrangement loosens and water passage increases — seen as rising TEWL in measurements.
Classic emulsions containing emulsifiers can disrupt this order. Ortholamellar Technology (OLT®) is designed to mirror this lamellar structure, aiming to settle into the barrier like a missing piece rather than a foreign substance. Developed in Germany and patented in over 35 countries.