What causes TEWL?Updated a year ago
Water loss is normal - it happens to all of us, and you can’t stop it completely. The problem is high transepidermal water loss. It occurs because of damage that leads to skin barrier dysfunction, which can include any of the following:
- Repeated sun exposure & sunburn
- Dry, arid climates
- Exposure to pollution (and potentially other sources of free radical damage)
- Use of pH-disrupting soaps or harsh cleansers (anything that makes your skin feel tight and “squeaky clean”)
- Hot showers (especially if you don’t moisturize after)
- Over-exfoliation, especially with abrasive scrubs
- Skin disorders like atopic dermatitis or psoriasis
- The loss of the skin’s collagen content with age
Some of these, like hot showers and harsh cleaners, are fairly easy to avoid, but others are simply facts of life.