The Stratum Corneum

The Stratum Corneum (SC) is the top layer of the epidermis, it has an average thickness of .01 - .02mm. (10 - 20um)

Following a 14-day cycle, cells from
lower epidermal layers flatten, rise and fill with the
protein keratin to form SC. While a cross-section of
the SC reveals inter-digitated cell layers surrounded
by a lipid lamellar matrix, similar to bricks and mortar,
a top-view reveals complete surface coverage
resembling a soccer ball. Keratin, the main component
of SC, is the same metabolically inactive protein in
hair and fingernails, making it easy to study in vitro.

Src: Mechanical Properties of Human Stratum Corneum:
Influence of pH-Treatment
Rena Rudavsky, Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University


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