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The stratum corneum barrier: the final frontier.

¹Cutest Systems Ltd., Heath, Cardiff CF14 3ND, UK. skincarecardiff@aol.com

The Journal of Nutrition

|July 31, 2004

Summary

The stratum corneum (SC) acts as a vital skin barrier, preventing water loss and protecting against external threats. Its complex structure and function, involving lipids and proteases, are crucial for maintaining skin health and integrity.

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Area of Science:

Dermatology
Skin Biology
Epidermal Differentiation

Background:

The stratum corneum (SC) is the outermost layer of the mammalian epidermis.
It forms a critical barrier, maintaining internal environment homeostasis by preventing water loss and blocking penetration of xenobiotics, radiation, and microbes.
The SC barrier relies on complex nonpolar lipids in the intercorneocyte space.

Purpose of the Study:

To describe the structure and function of the stratum corneum.
To highlight the importance of keratinization and desquamation processes.
To introduce methods for assessing SC structure and function.

Main Methods:

Description of SC structure, including lipid composition.
Explanation of keratinization and desquamation processes.
Overview of tests and techniques for SC analysis.

Main Results:

The SC is the end product of epidermal differentiation.
Complex lipids form the SC's water barrier.
Proteases are essential for controlled corneocyte shedding (desquamation).

Conclusions:

The stratum corneum is essential for physiological homeostasis.
Disruptions in SC formation or desquamation can lead to skin disorders.
Specific tests and techniques are available to evaluate SC properties.

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