TEWL stands for Transepidermal Water Loss, the natural process of moisture escaping from your skin barrier into the atmosphere. It is a key indicator of skin barrier function, showing how well your skin retains moisture compared to how quickly it loses it to the environment. When the skin barrier is compromised - due to conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or excessive dryness - TEWL increases. This leads to dehydration, irritation and skin sensitivity, making you more prone to skin conditions.
Naturally, some amount of water loss will occur regardless, and increases while you sleep. This is especially true if you sleep in a low-humidity environment, such as air conditioning, where dry air draws moisture away from your skin's surface. Healthy skin maintains a balanced level of TEWL, keeping moisture locked in while allowing skin to breathe.
We’ve developed a number of products to help reduce TEWL and the associated symptoms of having a damaged skin barrier. C+ Eczema & Dermatitis Cream is ideal for hydrating and repairing the skin barrier due to its blend of Squalene, Honey and Calendula to lock in moisture.
Our Skin Therapy Oil and Face & Eyelid Oil contain nourishing botanical oils to prevent water loss while delivering deep hydration due to its occlusive (but non-comedogenic) nature!
Intensive Therapy Body Wash and Cleansing Bar - it’s important to use a gentle, non-stripping cleanser to ensure your skin retains its natural oils and prevents excessive moisture loss as harsh soaps can worsen TEWL.
If you have roughened skin but want to preserve your skin’s moisture barrier, we suggest using our Psoriasis Cream and KP Cream as they are hydrating and gentle, yet exfoliating.
Routine to Reduce TEWL and Maintain The Skin Barrier:
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Gently cleanse the face and body to remove makeup, dirt, oil and debris. Choose products that are gentle to protect the skin barrier from over-drying.
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Apply oil first, then cream post-shower or bathing. It's important to follow this order because oil helps replenish the skin's natural lipids, and following with a cream seals in moisture and hydration for longer-lasting skin barrier protection.
- Consistently reapply creams during the day (2-3 times) to prevent water loss and allow your skin to adjust to the new regime, results take time!
By reducing TEWL, our products help restore balance, improve skin resilience and provide long term relief for eczema-prone and sensitive skin.
