Effects of Environmental Humidity on Epidermal Physiology

December 2025 in “ SKINdeep ”

Mitsuhiro Denda

epidermal physiology skin barrier function inflammation stratum corneum epidermal DNA synthesis protein deimination inflammatory skin conditions skin-brain axis

TLDR Low humidity harms skin health by damaging the skin barrier and increasing inflammation.

The document discusses how low environmental humidity negatively impacts epidermal physiology by impairing skin barrier function, increasing inflammation, and altering sensory systems. Research involving animal models, human subjects, and epidermal equivalents shows that dry conditions reduce the water-holding capacity and free amino acid content in the stratum corneum, while increasing epidermal DNA synthesis and protein deimination. These changes can worsen inflammatory skin conditions and affect the skin-brain axis, emphasizing the importance of maintaining optimal humidity for skin health.

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