Skin water content regulation

"Skin water content regulation" is **not a single molecule, receptor, enzyme, transporter, or canonical drug target**. Instead, it refers to a complex physiological process involving multiple structural and molecular components within the epidermis. Key elements include: - **Natural moisturizing factors** (NMF), which are hygroscopic compounds derived from filaggrin degradation within corneocytes. These include free amino acids, urea, lactates, and pyrrolidone carboxylic acid that help retain moisture in the stratum corneum[1][2][3]. - **Aquaporins**, especially aquaporin 3 (AQP3), which are membrane transport proteins facilitating movement of water and glycerol across keratinocyte membranes in the epidermis[1][2]. - **Intercellular lipids**—ceramides, free fatty acids, cholesterol—organized into lamellar sheets between corneocytes form a physical barrier limiting transepidermal water loss[1]. These mechanisms collectively maintain proper hydration necessary for normal skin maturation and desquamation. Disruption can lead to dry/flaky skin or contribute to dermatological diseases such as atopic dermatitis. Because "skin water content regulation" is not an individual molecular entity but rather describes an integrated biological function dependent on several distinct molecules/proteins/structures working together,[1][2] it should not be considered a canonical therapeutic target. > The ability of the skin to hold water is primarily related to the stratum corneum...dependent on two major components: natural hygroscopic agents within corneocytes...and intercellular lipids orderly arranged...[3] > Aquaporins support even distribution of moisture within the epidermis...[1] In summary: This entry does not correspond to any single druggable target; instead it encompasses several well-defined targets such as aquaporin 3 channel protein or filaggrin whose modulation affects overall skin hydration status.

Other names

Skin hydrationWater retention in skinRegulation of skin water contentTransepidermal water loss regulation