Which combination of skin barrier changes is associated with occlusion from absorptive products?

Which combination of skin barrier changes is associated with occlusion from absorptive products?

• A. Elevated TEWL and skin pH
• B. Elevated TEWL and reduced skin pH
• C. Elevated perspiration and reduced skin pH
• D. Reduced perspiration and TEWL

Answer: (A)

Occlusion from absorptive products can disrupt the outer skin barrier by trapping moisture and irritants, which weakens the protective lipid matrix of the stratum corneum. When the barrier is compromised, water loss from inside the skin increases, so transepidermal water loss rises. The disruption of the skin’s acid mantle also tends to shift the surface pH toward a higher, less acidic value. So the combination of higher TEWL and a higher skin surface pH reflects barrier disruption due to occlusion, making this the most consistent choice.

Occlusion from absorptive products can disrupt the outer skin barrier by trapping moisture and irritants, which weakens the protective lipid matrix of the stratum corneum. When the barrier is compromised, water loss from inside the skin increases, so transepidermal water loss rises. The disruption of the skin’s acid mantle also tends to shift the surface pH toward a higher, less acidic value. So the combination of higher TEWL and a higher skin surface pH reflects barrier disruption due to occlusion, making this the most consistent choice.