Abstract: A polar lipid composition of plant origin is provided for conveying an active agent and/or making it penetrate into a target cell. The composition is characterized in that it is comprised of an injectable, intra-articular, topical or ingestible aqueous emulsion of a polar lipid mixture rich in phospholipids, in glycolipids and in ceramides, having a composition which is substantially similar to that of the polar lipid constituents of lipid cytomembranes of cells. The mixture is obtained from a plant compound such as cereal flour or an extract such as bran or lipids extracted from cereals by means of chlorinated solvents.

Abstract: A method for separating a composition containing glycolipids, lysopholipids, sphingolipids and ceramides of plant origin is described. A liquid alcohol is heated to a temperature of between 50.degree. and 80.degree. C., a plant composition or plant extract is introduced into the alcohol to form a mixture, the mixture is hot-filtered so as to separate the filtrate from a dilapidated filter cake, and the alcohol is evaporated from the filtrate such that a lipid residue which contains glycolipids, lysophospholipids, sphingolipids, and ceramides is obtained. The lipid residue can be used in cosmetology or dermatology.