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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 12, 2026

AFM and Microrheology in the Zebrafish Embryo Yolk Cell

AFM and Microrheology in the Zebrafish Embryo Yolk Cell

Published on: November 29, 2017

Equilibrium water content in native vernix and its cellular component.

Anyarporn Tansirikongkol¹, Steven B Hoath, William L Pickens

¹College of Pharmacy, The University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267, USA.

Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

|August 28, 2007

Summary

Vernix caseosa, a newborn skin coating, has unique water properties. Its corneocytes, when isolated, bind significantly more water than when embedded in the lipid matrix.

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Resolving Water, Proteins, and Lipids from In Vivo Confocal Raman Spectra of Stratum Corneum through a Chemometric Approach

Resolving Water, Proteins, and Lipids from In Vivo Confocal Raman Spectra of Stratum Corneum through a Chemometric Approach

Published on: September 26, 2019

Area of Science:

Biophysics
Dermatology
Neonatal Care

Background:

Vernix caseosa is a protective coating on newborn skin.
It comprises fetal corneocytes within a lipid matrix and has high water content.
Understanding its water handling is crucial for neonatal skin health and skincare development.

Purpose of the Study:

To quantitatively characterize water release and uptake in native vernix and its isolated corneocytes.
To compare water sorption properties across varying water activities.
To explore the potential for vernix-derived components in moisturizing formulations.

Main Methods:

Quantified water release and uptake of native vernix and isolated corneocytes.
Utilized theoretical water sorption models (D'Arcy-Watt, FHH, GAB).
Conducted resorption experiments to assess water content recovery.

Main Results:

Vernix exhibits slow water release despite high water content.
Isolated corneocytes showed significantly higher water binding than native vernix above 0.62 water activity.
Both native vernix and isolated corneocytes demonstrated full water recovery, indicating structured domains.

Conclusions:

Vernix caseosa possesses distinct water handling properties influenced by its lipid matrix and corneocytes.
Isolated corneocytes have a greater capacity for water binding.
Findings offer insights for developing advanced moisturizing skincare products.