Mammalian skin is a highly dynamic organ that is constantly adapting to changes in its environment. It provides structural, sensory, immunologic, and physiologic functions and contrib-utes an essential barrier function against potential environmental insults. The epidermis of the skin is composed of keratinocytes that undergo a highly organized maturation process that ultimately leads to desquamation. Structural components within these cells utilize dietary lipids such as linoleic acid to maintain a protective barrier. Together they form the stratum corneum, which is the outermost layer of the epidermis. Environmental, physical, and nutritional alterations can modify epidermal structure and function. In addition to keeping environmental insults outside the body, the epidermal barrier also functions to keep water and other important metabolites inside the body. In this way, metabolic processes consonant with health can be maintained. barrier include determination of hydration (HYDR) capacitance of the due to its behavior as a dielectric and assesses a thickness of the stratum