Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Cells of the Epidermis

Cells of the Epidermis

The epidermis is made of four or five layers of epithelial cells, depending on its location in the body. From deep to superficial, these layers are the stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum, and stratum corneum.
The cells in all these layers except the stratum basale are called keratinocytes, a type of cell that manufactures and stores the protein keratin. The keratinocytes in the stratum corneum are dead and regularly slough away, being replaced by cells from...

Renewal of Skin Epidermal Stem Cells

Renewal of Skin Epidermal Stem Cells

The skin is divided into epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis, the skin's outermost, middle, and inner layers. The human epidermal layer regularly undergoes renewal, where old, dead cells are replaced by new cells. Epidermal stem cells or EpiSCs divide and differentiate to restore the lost cells. For the renewal process, some EpiSCs continuously self-renew. In contrast, few others differentiate into transit-amplifying cells, which later form prickle or spinous cells, followed by granular cells,...

Layers of the Epidermis

Layers of the Epidermis

The epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin, is composed of several distinct layers. From deep to superficial, the layers of the epidermis are as follows:
Stratum Basale
Stratum basale, also known as the stratum germinativum, is the deepest layer of the epidermis. It is composed of a single layer of actively dividing cells called basal cells or basal keratinocytes. These cells constantly undergo cell division to replenish the upper layers of the epidermis. Additionally, melanocytes, which...

Tissue Membranes

Tissue Membranes

A tissue membrane is a thin layer of cells that covers the outside of the body, the organs, internal passageways that lead to the exterior of the body, and the lining of the moveable joint cavities. There are two basic types of tissue membranes— connective tissue and epithelial membranes.
Connective Tissue Membranes
The connective tissue membrane is formed solely from connective tissue. These membranes encapsulate organs, such as the kidneys, and line our movable joints. A synovial membrane is...

Pigmentation

Pigmentation

The color of the skin is influenced by a number of pigments, including melanin, carotene, and hemoglobin. Recall that melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes, which are found scattered throughout the stratum basale of the epidermis. The melanin is transferred to the keratinocytes via melanosomes.
Melanin occurs in two primary forms: eumelanin that provides black and brown pigment and pheomelanin that provides red color. Dark-skinned individuals produce more melanin than those with pale...

Introduction to the Integumentary System

Introduction to the Integumentary System

The integumentary system is the organ system that comprises the skin and its associated structures. It is the largest system in the human body and plays a crucial role in protecting and maintaining homeostasis. The integumentary system serves several functions including protection, regulation, sensation, and secretion.
The skin, which is the primary organ of the integumentary system, consists of three main layers: the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis (subcutaneous tissue). The epidermis is the...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Safety Assessment of <i>Melaleuca alternifolia</i> (Tea Tree)-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics.

International journal of toxicology·2026

Same author

Safety Assessment of Radish Root - Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics.

International journal of toxicology·2026

Same author

RNASET2 degrades mRNAs that protect against lipotoxicity.

Molecular metabolism·2026

Same author

Intestinal fructose metabolism drives unsaturated fat absorption and synergizes with GLP-1 receptor agonism to promote weight loss.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026

Same author

Amended Safety Assessment of Naturally-Sourced Clays as Used in Cosmetics.

International journal of toxicology·2026

Same author

Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Personal Care Products: A Focus on Established and Emerging Allergens.

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology·2026

Same journal

Increased Risk of Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma Development after Dupilumab Use for Atopic Dermatitis.

Dermatologic therapy·2024

Same journal

Correction to "Adjuvant PD-1 inhibitor versus high-dose interferon α-2b for Chinese patients with cutaneous and acral melanoma: A retrospective cohort analysis".

Dermatologic therapy·2022

Same journal

A case of erythema nodosum concomitant with ulcerative colitis relieved by tofacitinib.

Dermatologic therapy·2022

Same journal

A case report of vitiligo following toripalimab therapy for a patient with metastatic melanoma.

Dermatologic therapy·2022

Same journal

High versus low dose oral isotretinoin in the treatment of cutaneous and genital warts.

Dermatologic therapy·2022

Same journal

Evaluation of the efficacy and relapse rates of treatment protocols for moderate acne using isotretinoin based on the global acne grading system: Randomized, controlled, comparative study.

Dermatologic therapy·2022

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 24, 2026

Building Up Skin Models for Numerous Applications - from Two-Dimensional (2D) Monoculture to Three-Dimensional (3D) Multiculture

Building Up Skin Models for Numerous Applications - from Two-Dimensional (2D) Monoculture to Three-Dimensional (3D) Multiculture

Published on: October 20, 2023

Skin biology.

Charlotte Hwa¹, Eugene A Bauer, David E Cohen

¹Ronald O Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA.

Dermatologic Therapy

|February 23, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Topical drug delivery systems offer easier administration with reduced systemic toxicity. Understanding skin structure, particularly the stratum corneum, is key to enhancing topical medication effectiveness.

More Related Videos

Improving 2D and 3D Skin In Vitro Models Using Macromolecular Crowding

Improving 2D and 3D Skin In Vitro Models Using Macromolecular Crowding

Published on: August 22, 2016

CUBIC Protocol Visualizes Protein Expression at Single Cell Resolution in Whole Mount Skin Preparations

CUBIC Protocol Visualizes Protein Expression at Single Cell Resolution in Whole Mount Skin Preparations

Published on: August 4, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 24, 2026

Building Up Skin Models for Numerous Applications - from Two-Dimensional (2D) Monoculture to Three-Dimensional (3D) Multiculture

Building Up Skin Models for Numerous Applications - from Two-Dimensional (2D) Monoculture to Three-Dimensional (3D) Multiculture

Published on: October 20, 2023

Improving 2D and 3D Skin In Vitro Models Using Macromolecular Crowding

Improving 2D and 3D Skin In Vitro Models Using Macromolecular Crowding

Published on: August 22, 2016

CUBIC Protocol Visualizes Protein Expression at Single Cell Resolution in Whole Mount Skin Preparations

CUBIC Protocol Visualizes Protein Expression at Single Cell Resolution in Whole Mount Skin Preparations

Published on: August 4, 2016

Area of Science:

Dermatology
Pharmaceutics
Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

Topical drug delivery is gaining interest for its convenience and safety.
Skin's structure and function are crucial for developing effective topical treatments.
The stratum corneum presents a significant barrier to drug permeation.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the skin's structure and function in the context of topical drug delivery.
To highlight the role of the stratum corneum in topical medication efficacy.

Main Methods:

Literature review of skin physiology and topical drug delivery principles.
Analysis of the stratum corneum's barrier properties.
Discussion of how skin properties influence drug diffusion.

Main Results:

The stratum corneum, composed of corneocytes and a lipid matrix, is the primary obstacle to topical drug permeation.
Understanding the skin's barrier function is essential for designing advanced topical delivery systems.

Conclusions:

Knowledge of skin structure and function is fundamental for optimizing topical drug delivery.
Further research into overcoming the stratum corneum barrier can improve therapeutic outcomes.