The Hydration Series: Part Three: Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL)

Dehydrated skin refers to a condition caused by a lack of water within the skin, which can happen to any skin type at any time.

Individuals with a dry skin type (a skin type that produces less sebum, or “skin oil”, than normal) are highly prone to experiencing dehydrated skin. The skin's oils help keep water in and on the skin. Dry skin is lacking in natural skin oils, and this means skin can no longer protect itself against transepidermal water loss (TEWL). During TEWL, water evaporates easily off the surface and results in dry skin becoming dehydrated too.

A dry skin type is not the only reason for transepidermal water loss (TEWL). This skin dehydration-causing physiological response can be triggered for a variety of other reasons.


Stay tuned for Part 4 of our Hydration series, “Mature Skin Is Especially Prone To Dehydration”.

Read the previous post in our 8-part Hydration blog series, "The Signs and Symptoms of Dehydrated Skin".