Earwax plays three roles, cleaning, lubrication and protection.
- Cleaning: Earwax captures dead skin cells in the outer ear canal. While the rest of the body's skin cells are removed naturally by brushing against clothing, water, etc., skin cells in the ear have to be caught by the wax and then evacuated. Earwax mixes with keratin, the main component of skin cells, and thus increases in complexity by increasing the number of its components.
- Lubrication: Earwax also plays a lubricating role. It hydrates the fine outer layer of the epidermis, called the stratum corneum, thus avoiding irritation.
- Protection: Finally, earwax plays a protective role in relation to foreign bodies. It captures dust and thus further diversifies its composition.
