Skin Skincare University

TEWL, moisture, sebum—understanding your skin by the numbers

LEVEL 3 What "Suits Your Skin" Means
KAIAN R&D Team |

To scientifically determine whether a product "suits your skin," measuring your skin's condition with numerical data is effective. Here we introduce three important measurement indicators.

Three Measurement Indicators

1. TEWL (Transepidermal Water Loss)
A direct indicator of barrier function status. Healthy forearm values are 5-15 g/m2/h, rising above 20 when the barrier is compromised.

2. Stratum Corneum Moisture (Corneometer value)
Healthy state is 40-60 AU, dropping below 30 in dehydrated conditions.

3. Sebum Level
The optimal range is 100-200 ug/cm2.

Skin Condition DashboardTEWL(g/m²/h)51520+Lower = HealthierMoisture(Corneometer AU)203060Higher = HealthierSebum(µg/cm²)50100200300+Optimal Range MattersHealthyCautionNeeds ImprovementObjectively assess skin condition through numerical data

Sensory Feel and Data Don't Always Align

Products that "feel nice" and products that "improve your numbers" do not necessarily match. Silicone-based serums may feel amazing immediately after application, but TEWL may not improve. Conversely, ceramide-based products may feel unremarkable, yet with continued use, TEWL decreases significantly.

This article is reference information about cosmetic ingredients and does not guarantee efficacy. Figures and test results vary by condition.
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