Water molecules in dermal extracellular matrix

Water molecules within the dermal extracellular matrix (ECM) are fundamental to skin health, serving as the primary medium for nutrient diffusion and providing the turgor pressure necessary for skin volume and elasticity (Papakonstantinou et al., 2012). In the dermis, water exists in two distinct states: bound water, which is chemically associated with glycosaminoglycans like hyaluronic acid through hydrogen bonding, and free water, which facilitates the movement of solutes (Verdier-Sévrain & Bonté, 2007). The concentration and distribution of these water molecules are heavily influenced by the presence of hygroscopic molecules and the integrity of the epidermal barrier, which prevents transepidermal water loss (Rawlings & Harding, 2004). Pathological states such as xerosis, atopic dermatitis, and photoaging are characterized by a significant reduction in dermal water content or a shift in the ratio of bound to free water (Papakonstantinou et al., 2012). Therapeutic strategies focus on replenishing or retaining these water molecules using humectants that attract water to the ECM, occlusives that form a physical barrier against evaporation, and injectable dermal fillers that provide a scaffold for water retention (Monheit & Coleman, 2006).

Other names

Dermal waterInterstitial waterBound waterSkin hydration

Humectancy via hydrogen bonding, occlusion to reduce transepidermal water loss, and osmotic retention within the glycosaminoglycan network.