THERESA CALLAGHAN
Callaghan Consulting International

Abstract

As Lao Tzu famously quoted: “Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it.” Paradoxically it is as strong as it is soft. This is the case with the human body, soft and strong and composed of more than 60% water (adult) with the skin itself comprising 65-70% water. Maintaining a healthy hydration of the body is vital for helping to maintain a hydrated skin.

As Lao Tzu famously quoted: “Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it.” Paradoxically it is as strong as it is soft. This is the case with the human body, soft and strong and composed of more than 60% water (adult) with the skin itself comprising 65-70% water. Maintaining a healthy hydration of the body is vital for helping to maintain a hydrated skin.

HYDRATION VERSUS MOISTURISATION

We often hear a common question — what is the difference between hydration and moisturisation? Hydration is the capacity of the skin to hold water. Moisturisation on the other hand tends to include a multiple of other factors as well, such as preventing transepidermal water loss and emolliency.  Water is vital for proper functioning of the skin and homeostasis of the stratum corneum (SC), and loss of water from the skin is a carefully regulated process fully dependant on the structure and behaviour of the SC.

The skins water holding capacity and its retention within the lower SC is dependent on two crucial structural factors: (a) The presence of nat ...