What would cause water to bead on the skin?

Water beads on the skin primarily due to surface tension, which is influenced by the skin's natural oils and the hydrophobic properties of the outer layer, the stratum corneum. When water droplets come into contact with the skin, they tend to form beads rather than spreading out, as the cohesive forces between water molecules are stronger than their adhesive forces with the skin. Additionally, the presence of sweat or oils can enhance this beading effect. Environmental factors like humidity and temperature can also play a role in how water interacts with the skin.