Keratinocyte desquamation (natural shedding of corneocytes in the stratum corneum) (None)

Keratinocyte desquamation is the normal, continuous process by which dead, keratin-rich corneocytes shed from the outermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum[1][2][3][4][5][6]. The process is orchestrated by proteolytic enzymes (particularly kallikreins) that degrade cell junctions (corneodesmosomes), allowing cells to be released invisibly in tiny flakes[1][3]. External exfoliation speeds up this process through mechanical, chemical, or enzymatic means, aiming to reveal smoother skin, accelerate cell renewal, and enhance barrier function[3][4][5][7][8]. The rate and quality of desquamation are influenced by age, hydration, lipid composition, pH, enzyme activity, and the skin microbiome[4][8]. Impaired desquamation leads to common dermatological issues such as dryness, scaling, and inflammatory conditions[4][7]. Drugs that promote desquamation include chemical peels, keratolytics, retinoids, and enzyme-based formulations[3][4][5][7]. However, excessive exfoliation may compromise the skin’s barrier, causing safety concerns such as dehydration, irritation, and infection[8]. For research or therapeutic purposes, the true "targets" for modulation of desquamation would be individual molecules such as *kallikrein-related peptidases* (KLK5, KLK7), *desmogleins*, or their inhibitors—not the overall process itself[1][3].

Other names

DesquamationSkin cell sheddingStratum corneum turnoverCorneocyte sloughingNatural exfoliation

Chemical disruption of intercellular adhesions (by acids, retinoids); Enzymatic cleavage of corneodesmosomes (by proteases, e.g. kallikreins, bacterial/microbial enzymes); Physical removal by mechanical exfoliation