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Summary Three main methods to measure quantitatively surface lipids in man have been used. A comparison of the information they produce and their routine practicabilities are given. Adaptation and standardization of the Schaeffer and Kuhn-Bussius method, using a photoelectric absorptiometer and ground glass plates are described. This procedure, applied to thirty-two adults, demonstrated the quantitative nature of the sampling mechanism. A mathematical approach gives the precise definition of the casual-level. This procedure shows that casual-level values appear to be correlated with skin types.