Why does prolonged exposure to humid environments compromise the skin's barrier function, increasing vulnerability to pathogens, even though keratin is hydrophobic?

💡 Explanation

Hydration increases the water content within the stratum corneum, disrupting the organization of the lipid lamellae between keratinocytes. This impairs the skin's barrier function, because proper lamellar organization is required for effective impermeability; therefore, pathogens penetrate more easily, rather than desquamation or sebum changes being primary.

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