What is Aquaporin & How is it Used in Skincare?

Darlings, with the help of my incredible, world-leading labs and scientists, I’m always searching for NEW! ‘it’ ingredients that will supercharge my skincare formulas to be the best that they can be! When creating NEW! Charlotte’s Magic Water Cream, I was introduced to Aquaporin, and I was so excited by the possibilities that this secret ingredient could bring to my beauty innovations.

But what is Aquaporin? Consider this guide an introduction to Aquaporin, darlings, and discover how it can be used in skincare to produce mesmerising results that you can see, feel and believe!

What is Aquaporin? - Simple Definition

Simply put, Aquaporins allow water to pass through the cell membrane to make sure our skin cells contain enough water.

What is Aquaporin & What Do Aquaporins Do?

Aquaporins are transmembrane proteins that form water channels to allow water to be actively transported across the cell membrane. Water is kept out of cells by lipid bilayers, and so, it relies on Aquaporin water channels to act as an open gateway that allows entry into our cells. The most common type of Aquaporin in the skin is Aquaporin-3 which is known to help transport water from the skin’s surface into skin cells.

Before Aquaporin was discovered in 1992, it was widely believed that water could only travel from cell to cell via osmosis; however, scientists learnt more about Aquaporin and water transport after recognising its ability to regulate the flow of water.

The role of Aquaporin is key to cell function. Our cells require water to function healthily, but our cell membranes only have a limited permeability to water. To maintain optimal water levels, Aquaporin water channels facilitate the movement of large amounts of water, transporting it through cell membranes and plasma membranes to ensure our cells have plenty of water, helping to prevent water loss.

What happens when skin lacks Aquaporin?

When the skin is lacking in Aquaporins, cells have lower water permeability and the movement of water is drastically reduced. As a result, skin cells do not receive enough water and so cannot function as efficiently. Skin that has fewer Aquaporin water channels can experience a lack of elasticity; wounds can take longer to heal; energy production can be impaired; and cells have a slower cell regeneration rate.

The number of Aquaporin water channels in your skin often decreases with age, leading to mature skin often feeling less elastic and being prone to dehydration. Aquaporins can also be affected by exposure to the sun, with water channels becoming damaged by harmful UV rays – this is why sunburnt skin feels dehydrated and tight to the touch.