Skin barrier function assessment: Electrical impedance spectroscopy is less influenced by daily routine activities than transepidermal water loss
Open accessAbstract
BACKGROUND: Skin barrier function assessment is commonly done by measuring transepidermal water loss (TEWL). An important limitation of this method is the influence of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is a lesser-established method for skin barrier function assessment. Some influential factors have been described, but no guidelines exist regarding the standardization of these measurements. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect size of daily routine activities on TEWL and EIS, as well as their correlation with age and anatomical differences. METHODS: Healthy participants (n=31) were stratified into three age groups (18-29, 30-49, and ≥50 years). In a climate-controlled room, EIS and TEWL measurements were performed on the left and right volar forearm and abdomen. RESULTS: Body cream application decreased TEWL and EIS values after 15 and 90 minutes. Skin washing decreased TEWL for 15 minutes and EIS values for at least 90 minutes. TEWL was increased 5 minutes after moderate to intense exercise. Coffee intake increased TEWL on the abdomen after 60 minutes. TEWL and EIS values did not correlate with participants' age and no anatomical differences were observed. No correlation was observed between TEWL and EIS. CONCLUSION: Body cream application and skin washing should be avoided at least 90 minutes prior to measurements of TEWL and EIS. Exercise and coffee intake should also be avoided prior to TEWL measurements. EIS may be a promising tool for skin barrier function assessment as it is less affected by daily routine activities than TEWL.
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Impairment of the epidermal barrier, reflected by increased transepidermal water loss, exacerbates skin dryness and vulnerability to environmental stressors.
“Impairment of the epidermal barrier, reflected by increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL), further exacerbates skin dryness and vulnerability to environmental stressors [6,7].”
From A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial Assessing the Effects of Oral Centella asiatica Extract on Skin Aging-Related Parameters in Middle-Aged Korean Women. (2026) · cites this paper as [7]
The Introduction states that barrier disruption increases permeability and TEWL, and that an intact barrier protects against water loss and chemical and physical assault. It does not explicitly establish that impairment exacerbates skin dryness, although that is consistent with the water-loss discussion. (LLM, conf=0.83)
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- Authors
- Huygen, L., Thys, P. M., Wollenberg, A., Gutermuth, J., & Krohn, I. K.
- Affiliations
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (BE)
- Corresponding author
- Huygen, Lisa
- Venue
- Annals of Dermatology
- Publisher
- XMLink
- Published
- 2024
- Volume
- 36
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 99
- ISSN
- 1013-9087 (ISSN-L)
- 2005-3894
- PMC
- PMC10995614
- OpenAlex
- W4391851771
- Cited by
- 23
- References
- 47
- Citations by year
- 2026: 12 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 2
- FWCI
- 9.31
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Annals of Dermatology (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- OPUS (Augsburg University) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- VUBIR (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Dermatology and Skin Diseases
- Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Pharmaceutical Science › Advancements in Transdermal Drug Delivery
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Contact Dermatitis and Allergies
- Keywords
- skin barrier function, transepidermal water loss, electrical impedance spectroscopy, measurement standardization, external factors, skin washing, physical activity, coffee consumption, age differences, anatomical differences, forearm, abdomen
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