Acidic Tendencies

Acidity of the stratum corneum maintains skin barrier function; in mice, topical acidification prevented dermatitis.

A healthy stratum corneum serves as a barrier, preventing epidermal water loss and entry of noxious chemicals and infectious agents. Apparently, to maintain itself as an effective barrier, the stratum corneum must be mildly acidic. The pH of developmentally impaired skin, aged skin, and inflamed skin is higher than normal. Increased pH in the stratum corneum inactivates the enzymes that produce ceramides essential to normal barrier function and activates serine proteases that compromise function. Could normalizing stratum corneum pH prevent skin disease? Could acidifying the stratum corneum aid barrier repair in damaged skin?

Researchers used the hapten oxazolone to induce development of a mouse model of “atopic dermatitis” in hairless mice.…

Reviewing Author

Mark V. Dahl, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Ulthera, Inc.; AuBio LifeSciences, LLC; Paris Therapeutics

Equity Elorac, Inc.; Makucell, Inc.; Paris Therapeutics

Editorial boards UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societiesNational Rosacea Society (Chairman, Medical Board)