Transepidermal Water Loss: What is it and Why is it Important?

While the term transepidermal water loss or TEWL is commonly used in relation to skincare, many people don’t know what it actually means. Below are some of the important things you need to know about TEWL, including why it happens, how it affects the skin, and a few tips on maintaining healthy, hydrated skin.  

What is Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL)?

TEWL is the physiological process of water leaving or evaporating through the skin and into the air. It happens in the epidermis or the top layer of the skin, the one responsible for protecting your body from the outside world. TEWL is normal and happens to everyone throughout the day, but the process speeds up at night. 

The skin naturally controls the TEWL process, with an average person losing about 300 to 400 ml of water through the skin. Certain factors, however, can disrupt the skin’s barrier function and negatively affect TEWL levels. Too much water loss can have a significant impact on the skin’s overall quality. 

What causes Transepidermal Water Loss?

While TEWL is a natural process, a number of factors can aggravate this process, resulting in dryness and dehydration. These include:

• Being in a low-humidity climate
• Using harsh cleansers
• Over cleansing or over exfoliation
• Certain topical treatments (high in pH)

As previously mentioned, TEWL happens throughout the day, but more so at night. This is because during this time, our body temperature decreases and the skin temperature rises, causing the skin’s pH to become more acidic. All of these can lead to dehydration or transepidermal water loss. 

How does Transepidermal Water Loss affect the skin?

Excessive transepidermal water loss can lead to a range of side effects on your skin. These include: 

• Dryness
• A feeling of tightness and discomfort
• Rough to touch skin
• Flakiness
• Increased prominence of lines and wrinkles

How can you prevent Transepidermal Water Loss?

Protecting the skin from TEWL involves moisturizing the skin and adopting a few habits that can prevent it from becoming dry and dehydrated. 

Use a humidifier – Dry climates or chilly temperatures suck more moisture from your skin, leaving it parched or irritated. A humidifier can help increase moisture in the air, easing the symptoms of water loss and giving your skin time to heal. They benefit both skin barrier and hydration, as well as offer allergy relief. 

Avoid aggressive cleansing practices – These include over washing, using harsh cleansers, and exfoliating too much, which can all compromise the skin barrier and trigger skin issues. Be gentle and choose gentle products (like those with milk or rice water) or ask your skin/aesthetic doctor for product recommendations.

Don’t forget to moisturize – Whether or not your skin feels dry, you should always be applying moisturizer after cleansing or applying serums. Dr. Sylvia’s Hydra Pro with MoistureLock hydrates and nourishes the skin without leaving any oily residue. It can also calm and soothe the skin and improve its overall appearance. 

Consider using a hydrating serum – For extra moisture, add a hydrating serum to your skincare regimen. Choose a formula with hyaluronic acid (HA), which retains moisture in the skin, helping reduce dryness and the visibility of lines and wrinkles. Dr. Sylvia’s Multi Peptide Youth Infusion contains powerful peptides to help stimulate collagen and HA to retain and lock in moisture. 

Apply lotions/moisturizer to your body after showering – TEWL happens not just on the face, but all areas of the body. Applying lotion after showering or taking a bath can keep your skin soft and supple. The best time to do so is when your skin is a little damp, as this helps seal in moisture better.

Protect your hands –  From frequent hand washing to exposure to elements, our hands become more prone to dryness and damage. This only makes sense to use a mild or gentle soap when washing them and apply a moisturizing or repairing hand cream after doing so. Wearing gloves when doing chores is also advisable. 

Protect your skin barrier – Your skin barrier is your body’s first line of defense against external stressors. It keeps dirt, irritants, and pollution out, as well as prevents moisture loss for healthy, beautiful skin. Below are a few tips on protecting it:

• Wear broad-spectrum sunscreen daily and limit sun exposure.
• Keep your skincare routine simple; avoid applying multiple products at once.
• Avoid long, hot baths or showers. Keep showers under 10 minutes.
• Look for beneficial ingredients when buying skin care products. These include ceramides, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide.
• Mind your skin’s pH; avoid highly acidic or alkaline skincare formulas.

Cutis can help

Our clinic has its own skincare line, Dr. Sylvia Skin Care, which features an intensive, medical-grade collection that delivers multi-layer fortification to the skin. These include gentle face cleansers, moisturizers, and treatment serums.

We also have a range of non-surgical treatments that can improve or tackle different skin care products. Whether you’re worried about dull skin, breakouts, wrinkles, or pigmentation, we got you covered. Contact Cutis Medical Laser Clinics in Singapore and book a consultation with our aesthetic doctor.