Skin is the most vulnerable organ of the human body as it serves as the first line of defence, wrapping the entire external body surface. Further, skin plays a critical role in thermoregulation, sensation, immunological surveillance, and biochemical processes like Vitamin D3 production by ultraviolet irradiation. 

The capability of the skin layers and resident cells to preserve skin physiology, like hydration, regulation of keratinocytes proliferation and differentiation and wound healing, is reinforced by key proteins such as aquaporins (AQPs). AQPs stimulate the movements of water and small neutral solutes across membranes. Various AQP isoforms are present in different skin-resident cells where they serve specific roles, and their dysregulation may lead to several skin pathologies. 

The involvement of AQPs in skin tumorigenesis and hyperproliferative skin disorders makes them attractive targets for discovering new medicines. Although the discovery of AQP modulators is challenging, several molecules have already been represented as potent influencers of AQP3-permeating activity.

SOURCE- da Silva IV, Silva AG, Pimpão C, Soveral G. Skin aquaporins as druggable targets: Promoting health by addressing the disease, Biochimie. 2021;188:35-44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biochi.2021.05.019.