Why does excessive scrubbing of the skin disrupt its barrier function more severely in individuals with low sebum production, compared to those with normal sebum levels?

💡 Explanation

Excessive scrubbing removes natural oils and lipids. Because sebum is critical for maintaining the skin's lipid barrier, individuals with low sebum production experience a greater disruption in barrier function, which impairs lipid matrix replenishment; therefore, option C is correct rather than the other options, which are not directly related to sebum’s protective function.

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