Skin Barrier Insights: From Bricks and Mortar to Molecules and Microbes

Recent advances in genomics, spectroscopy, and immunology have increased our understanding of the skin barrier. A new model of barrier lipid organization has emerged owing to the application of advanced modeling and microscopy techniques. The contribution of filaggrin gene mutations to atopic dermatitis has increased our appreciation of the role barrier perturbations play in inflammatory dermatoses. Next generation sequencing techniques have led to a greater understanding of the diversity of resident skin microorganisms and the close association between microbes and the host immune system. This paper reviews the basics of stratum corneum structure and function, with an emphasis on recent advances in our understanding of barrier perturbations and their effect on skin health. J Drugs Dermatol. 2019;18(1 Suppl):s63-67