---
title: "Proteases inhibition"
description: "Assess protease inhibition relevant to epidermal shedding and barrier function."
image: "https://cosmetic-labs.com/wp-content/uploads/proteases-service-1200x1200-1.webp"
---
# Proteases inhibition

> Assess protease inhibition relevant to epidermal shedding and barrier function.

Source: https://cosmetic-labs.com/services/clinical/efficacy/hydration-barrier-testing/skin-barrier-hydration/proteases
Created: 2025-01-12T15:12:38+00:00
Modified: 2026-10-25T10:21:22+00:00
Author: Emilie SCHOL

Proteases inhibition | Cosmetic Labs

## What is Proteases inhibition?

Protease inhibition testing for barrier function measures whether an ingredient alters enzymes involved in epidermal protein turnover and shedding. Kallikrein-focused assays and skin-model follow-up help determine whether inhibition supports balanced desquamation rather than simply suppressing all proteolysis.

### Why do you need this service?
Barrier-focused protease assays investigate enzymes involved in epidermal processing and shedding. Biochemical inhibition and skin-model follow-up help distinguish balanced desquamation from excessive suppression of normal turnover.

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Definition
## Protease inhibition and epidermal barrier regulation
Proteases participate in normal epidermal processing and corneodesmosome breakdown. Excessive activity can impair cohesion, but excessive inhibition can also disturb shedding. Barrier-focused testing therefore examines the specific enzyme and biological context.

### Enzyme assays
Purified-enzyme assays use defined substrates to measure residual activity after exposure to a test material. Relevant targets may include KLK5, KLK7, KLK14, or selected cathepsins. Matrix metalloproteinase assays address additional matrix-remodeling questions rather than serving as direct substitutes for epidermal protease testing.

Concentration-response curves and IC50 estimates where justified
- Reference inhibitors and vehicle controls
- Checks for substrate or detection interference
- Assay conditions, including pH, matched to the question

### Skin-model interpretation
Cell or tissue studies can investigate whether enzyme inhibition changes corneodesmosomal protein turnover, cohesion, or barrier properties. Collagen and elastin degradation are not the primary endpoints for this epidermal barrier service.

Reports should distinguish biochemical inhibition from functional barrier protection. Neither an IC50 value nor a viability check establishes a safe finished-product concentration or proves barrier repair during consumer use.

Applications
## Testing epidermal protease activity
Defined substrates and purified enzymes can compare effects on targets such as KLK5, KLK7, KLK14 or selected cathepsins. Concentration-response curves and IC50 estimates need appropriate reference inhibitors and controls for detection interference and pH.

Follow-up in skin models can investigate corneodesmosomal turnover, cohesion or permeability. Collagen and elastin degradation are matrix-remodelling questions, not direct substitutes for these epidermal barrier endpoints.

Inhibition is not inherently beneficial: excessive suppression can disturb normal shedding. Reports should separate biochemical potency from functional barrier effects and avoid treating an assay concentration as a safe finished-product use level.

ExplorationLearn more about Barrier & Hydration MechanismsInvestigate barrier and hydration mechanisms through epidermal lipids, junction proteins, differentiation and water-handling responses in skin models. Explore another Barrier & Hydration Mechanisms page on cosmetic-labs.com.

#### [Skin barrier function efficacy testing](https://cosmetic-labs.com/services/clinical/efficacy/hydration-barrier-testing/skin-barrier-hydration/barrier-function)
Preclinical skin barrier testing can use Raman microspectroscopy to assess lipid packing in reconstructed human epidermis models. [Check this service](https://cosmetic-labs.com/services/clinical/efficacy/hydration-barrier-testing/skin-barrier-hydration/barrier-function)
#### [Keratinocyte differentiation](https://cosmetic-labs.com/services/clinical/efficacy/hydration-barrier-testing/skin-barrier-hydration/epidermal-diff)
Assess epidermal cell maturation and barrier formation using histology, differentiation markers and functional measurements in suitable skin models. [Check this service](https://cosmetic-labs.com/services/clinical/efficacy/hydration-barrier-testing/skin-barrier-hydration/epidermal-diff)
#### [Calcium gradient maintenance](https://cosmetic-labs.com/services/clinical/efficacy/hydration-barrier-testing/skin-barrier-hydration/calcium-gradient)
Investigate epidermal calcium distribution using layer-resolved tissue measurements, with cellular imaging addressing related calcium-signalling responses. [Check this service](https://cosmetic-labs.com/services/clinical/efficacy/hydration-barrier-testing/skin-barrier-hydration/calcium-gradient)
#### [Filaggrin production](https://cosmetic-labs.com/services/clinical/efficacy/hydration-barrier-testing/skin-barrier-hydration/filaggrin)
Investigate ingredient effects on filaggrin through gene, protein and breakdown-product analysis in epidermal models relevant to skin hydration. [Check this service](https://cosmetic-labs.com/services/clinical/efficacy/hydration-barrier-testing/skin-barrier-hydration/filaggrin)
#### [Tight-junction proteins](https://cosmetic-labs.com/services/clinical/efficacy/hydration-barrier-testing/skin-barrier-hydration/tight-junction)
Assess tight-junction proteins such as claudin-1, occludin and ZO-1 in epidermal models alongside functional measurements of junction integrity. [Check this service](https://cosmetic-labs.com/services/clinical/efficacy/hydration-barrier-testing/skin-barrier-hydration/tight-junction)
#### [Ceramide Synthesis Mechanisms](https://cosmetic-labs.com/services/clinical/efficacy/hydration-barrier-testing/skin-barrier-hydration/ceramide-synthesis)
Assess ceramide production in epidermal models using lipid profiling and biosynthesis measurements, distinguishing lipid abundance from synthesis rate. [Check this service](https://cosmetic-labs.com/services/clinical/efficacy/hydration-barrier-testing/skin-barrier-hydration/ceramide-synthesis)
#### [Ceramide Synthesis in Epidermal Models](https://cosmetic-labs.com/services/clinical/efficacy/hydration-barrier-testing/skin-barrier-hydration/ceramide)
Investigate ceramide production in epidermal cells or tissue models using lipid profiling and pathway measurements, separately from surface deposition. [Check this service](https://cosmetic-labs.com/services/clinical/efficacy/hydration-barrier-testing/skin-barrier-hydration/ceramide)
#### [Intercellular lipid order](https://cosmetic-labs.com/services/clinical/efficacy/hydration-barrier-testing/skin-barrier-hydration/lipid-organization)
Assess stratum corneum lipid packing and lamellar organisation with structural methods, complementing lipid composition and permeability measurements. [Check this service](https://cosmetic-labs.com/services/clinical/efficacy/hydration-barrier-testing/skin-barrier-hydration/lipid-organization)
#### [Lamellar lipid reinforcement](https://cosmetic-labs.com/services/clinical/efficacy/hydration-barrier-testing/skin-barrier-hydration/lipid-barrier)
Assess intercellular lipid-layer organisation in the stratum corneum using structural and functional measurements relevant to hydration mechanisms. [Check this service](https://cosmetic-labs.com/services/clinical/efficacy/hydration-barrier-testing/skin-barrier-hydration/lipid-barrier)
#### [Corneodesmosome regulation](https://cosmetic-labs.com/services/clinical/efficacy/hydration-barrier-testing/skin-barrier-hydration/corneodesmosome)
Investigate corneodesmosome regulation through junction proteins, protease activity and cohesion measurements relevant to barrier integrity and shedding. [Check this service](https://cosmetic-labs.com/services/clinical/efficacy/hydration-barrier-testing/skin-barrier-hydration/corneodesmosome)
#### [Epidermal cohesion](https://cosmetic-labs.com/services/clinical/efficacy/hydration-barrier-testing/skin-barrier-hydration/epidermal-cohesion)
Investigate epidermal adhesion and integrity through cohesion, shedding and barrier measurements in tissue models relevant to skin hydration research. [Check this service](https://cosmetic-labs.com/services/clinical/efficacy/hydration-barrier-testing/skin-barrier-hydration/epidermal-cohesion)
#### [Hydration efficacy testing](https://cosmetic-labs.com/services/clinical/efficacy/hydration-barrier-testing/skin-barrier-hydration/hydration)
Investigate hydration mechanisms through water-channel expression, humectant production, lipid synthesis and epidermal integrity in suitable models. [Check this service](https://cosmetic-labs.com/services/clinical/efficacy/hydration-barrier-testing/skin-barrier-hydration/hydration)
#### [Hyaluronic acid synthesis](https://cosmetic-labs.com/services/clinical/efficacy/hydration-barrier-testing/skin-barrier-hydration/hyaluronic)
Investigate endogenous hyaluronic acid production in skin cells using quantification and synthase-related measurements, accounting for added material. [Check this service](https://cosmetic-labs.com/services/clinical/efficacy/hydration-barrier-testing/skin-barrier-hydration/hyaluronic)
#### [Aquaporin expression](https://cosmetic-labs.com/services/clinical/efficacy/hydration-barrier-testing/skin-barrier-hydration/aquaporin)
Measure aquaporin expression, including AQP3 in keratinocytes, to investigate water-channel responses rather than directly measuring skin hydration. [Check this service](https://cosmetic-labs.com/services/clinical/efficacy/hydration-barrier-testing/skin-barrier-hydration/aquaporin)
#### [NMF production](https://cosmetic-labs.com/services/clinical/efficacy/hydration-barrier-testing/skin-barrier-hydration/nmf)
Assess natural moisturising factor components in epidermal models, distinguishing endogenous formation from compounds deposited by a formulation. [Check this service](https://cosmetic-labs.com/services/clinical/efficacy/hydration-barrier-testing/skin-barrier-hydration/nmf)

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---

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