Impact of stress on epidermal barrier function

Summary The skin is made up of three layers. They are the epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous fat. The epidermis is the outermost layer which gives your skin its colour, regulates water loss through the skin and protects the body from bacteria and substances that irritate the skin. Plenty of research shows that stress that comes from crowding, isolation, cigarette smoke, lack of sleep, pain and marital strain can cause this layer to lose its function in both the short‐term and long‐term. This study aimed to review the relationship between stress and the loss of function of the epidermis. The results of 21 studies that looked into this relationship were analysed. They were all in English language and ranged from small to large‐scale studies. The stimulation of stress hormone release comes from a circuit in the brain. This study found that emotional stressors boost this circuit therefore increasing the amount of stress hormone released into the blood. This reduces production of the components that make up the epidermal layer, which leads to greater water loss. In conclusion, this review of 21 studies showed that there were negative effects of emotional stressors on the epidermal barrier function. It is recommended that future studies look into more real‐life stressors to further investigate the effect on skin. It also advises researching practical stress‐relieving therapies that can help minimise and restore the epidermal function, particularly in high‐risk people. Linked Article: Maarouf et al. Br J Dermatol 2019; 181:1129–1137