An individual with significantly reduced sebum production experiences increased skin flaking and sensitivity; which mechanism best explains this outcome?

💡 Explanation

Reduced sebum compromises the skin's lipid barrier because sebum contributes essential lipids to the epidermal lipid matrix, which is vital for preventing water loss and irritant penetration; therefore, the impaired barrier results in increased flaking and sensitivity, rather than altering immune response, sweat regulation, or keratinocyte integrity directly.

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