An individual with abnormally low sebum production experiences increased susceptibility to skin infections. Which mechanism explains why diminished sebum leads to a compromised cutaneous barrier?

💡 Explanation

Reduced sebum compromises the epidermal lipid matrix, because sebum contains triglycerides, wax esters, and squalene, which are essential for maintaining the skin's permeability barrier. Therefore, the lipid matrix is impaired, increasing susceptibility to infection, rather than affecting keratinocytes, immune cells, or collagen alignment.

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