Used in skincare and cosmetic formulations for its moisturizing and barrier-repair properties. Helps maintain skin hydration by supporting the natural lipid layer, making it beneficial in products targeting dry, sensitive, or aging skin. Also utilized in research settings to study cell membrane structure and glycosphingolipid function due to its role in cellular signaling, cell adhesion, and inflammation processes. Commonly used as a substrate for studying enzymes that degrade glycolipids, such as beta-galactosidase, and in model cell systems to analyze immune response mechanisms and neurological diseases associated with lipid accumulation.