Have you ever applied moisturizer… and your skin immediately wants more?
Like it swallowed everything in seconds?
Post-chemo skin does this constantly.
But here’s the part most people don’t know:
This same “sponge skin” behavior happens in other women too — for totally different reasons.
To understand why, we need to talk about one of the most important (and misunderstood) skin concepts:
✨ TEWL — Transepidermal Water Loss
Think of TEWL as the amount of water the skin loses every minute of every day.
When your barrier is healthy, moisture stays in.
When the barrier is damaged or weak, water evaporates faster than you can replace it.
That’s why some skin types feel endlessly thirsty.
💡 Why Post-Chemo Skin Loses Water So Fast
Cancer treatments affect the skin at the structural level.
Chemo:
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thins the barrier
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disrupts the lipid layer
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weakens the microbiome
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slows natural oil production
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increases inflammation
The result?
The barrier becomes leaky. Moisture just… escapes.
So the moment you apply a cream or serum, post-chemo skin absorbs it like sand absorbing a single drop of water.
This is why chemo skin feels:
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tight
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dry within an hour
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irritated easily
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unable to “hold on” to moisture
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constantly dehydrated
But here’s what matters to your everyday customer:
You don’t need chemo to experience this.
💡 OTHER Skin Types That Experience High TEWL (Just Like Chemo Skin)
Here’s the universal crossover — the women who struggle with dryness, irritation, and “nothing works” moments.
Their TEWL spikes for different reasons, but the effect is the same.
1. Menopausal & Perimenopausal Skin
Hormonal changes decrease ceramides and natural oils → barrier weakens → moisture escapes faster.
2. Over-Exfoliated Skin
Too much retinol, acids, scrubs, or peels = barrier damage = instant moisture loss.
3. Winter & Cold-Climate Skin
Low humidity pulls water from the skin.
Indoor heating dehydrates the barrier even more.
4. Stress Skin (High Cortisol)
Stress thins the barrier over time.
Skin becomes reactive, inflamed, and moisture-starved.
5. Rosacea & Redness-Prone Skin
These conditions come with an inherently compromised barrier.
Moisture evaporates rapidly.
6. Post-Procedure Skin (Laser, Microneedling, Peels)
Skin is literally healing — TEWL is at one of its highest points.
7. Naturally Dry or Thin Skin
Some people are born with fewer lipids and a naturally weaker barrier.
8. Dehydrated Skin (Lacking Water, Not Oil)
Even oily skin types can have high TEWL if the barrier is impaired.
9. Aging Skin (40+)
Barrier function naturally declines with age → moisture leaves faster.
All different causes.
All identical moisture-loss patterns.
This is the bridge between chemo skin and your regular customers.
💡 What’s the Solution? (Same for All Skin Types)
To slow TEWL, the barrier needs gentle, consistent support:
✔️ Hydrate with aloe (water-binding + soothing)
AloeRx™ and Gleem’s aloe-based formulas replenish fast.
✔️ Balance the microbiome
A strong microbiome = lower inflammation = lower TEWL.
✔️ Strengthen the barrier lipids
Ceramides + peptides from Soft Immersion rebuild that moisture seal.
✔️ Avoid harsh actives or stripping cleansers
They worsen TEWL instantly.
✔️ Lock hydration in, especially at night
Nighttime is when the skin loses the most water.
Soft Immersion + the Microbiome Moisturizer = TEWL defense duo.
✔️ Protect with SPF daily
UV increases inflammation and TEWL.
💡 How Gleem Helps “Sponge Skin” Stay Hydrated Longer
Everything about Gleem’s formulas was designed to keep fragile skin comfortable — which is exactly what high-TEWL skin needs.
Super Nourishing Cleanser
Cleans without stripping lipids.
Super Nourishing Toner
Instant hydration + pH balance for better water retention.
Microbiome Nourishing Moisturizer
Strengthens the microbiome, reduces inflammation, and helps the skin hold onto hydration.
Soft Immersion Night Moisturizer
Ceramides + collagen + hyaluronic acid = barrier repair + moisture locking.
One & Done SPF 30
Protects fragile, dehydrated skin from UV-driven TEWL spikes.
✨ The Bottom Line (The Marlene Way)
Whether you're a cancer survivor rebuilding your skin…
a woman dealing with menopause dryness…
or someone who’s simply feeling sensitive, tight, or dehydrated…
If your barrier can’t hold moisture, your skin will always feel thirsty.
But rebuild the barrier — calm it, hydrate it, protect it — and the dryness eases, the redness softens, and your skin finally stays comfortable.
This is barrier beauty.
This is AloeRx™.
This is Gleem.