Which substances help maintain the skin's moisture balance?

The substances that help maintain the skin's moisture balance include sweat and sebum. Sweat, produced by sweat glands, aids in regulating body temperature and also helps to keep the skin hydrated by forming a moisture barrier. This evaporation of sweat can lead to a cooling effect, which is a crucial aspect of skin health.

Sebum, on the other hand, is an oily substance secreted by sebaceous glands. It serves as a natural moisturizer and helps to create a protective barrier on the skin’s surface, preventing excessive water loss and protecting against external irritants. The combination of sweat and sebum ensures that the skin remains hydrated, maintaining a balance that is essential for overall skin health and appearance.

In contrast, collagen and elastin are proteins that provide structure and elasticity to the skin, but they do not directly maintain moisture balance. Keratin is a protein that helps form the outer layer of skin and protects it, while melanin is responsible for skin pigmentation but also does not play a role in moisture balance. Though oil and water are important in skincare, in this context, sweat and sebum are the specific substances that actively participate in keeping the skin's moisture regulated.