TEER – transepithelial electrical resistance

Measurement to determine skin barrier integrity

The effect of products intended to have an impact on the skin barrier can be demonstrated by measuring the transepithelial electrical resistance. The integrity and stability of the top layer of the epidermis (stratum corneum) are of crucial importance for the integrity of the skin barrier. Put simply, the structure of the skin barrier can be compared to that of a wall. The layered skin cells (corneocytes) are cemented together by intercellular lipids. This structure is an essential requirement for healthy and resilient skin. Individual skin cells are also firmly connected to one another by so-called “tight junctions”, direct cell-to-cell contact. They close up the intercellular spaces and form a paracellular barrier (diffusion barrier) which is finely regulated and highly dynamic. This barrier limits unrestricted diffusion and thus regulates the transport of water and dissolved substances. The degree of impermeability (tissue-specific) is usually described by the transepithelial electrical resistance.