Our skin consists of an outer epidermis, middle dermis, and bottom layer composed of subcutaneous tissue rich in fats. In this lowermost layer lie hair follicles, sebaceous and sweat glands, nails, blood vessels, and nerves.
The outermost layer—the epidermis—comprises cells called keratinocytes and is arranged in four layers.
Stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the epidermis. The layer is flattened and dead, with closely arranged cells without a nucleus. These cells are called corneocytes. They are filled with keratin and connected by desmosomes. The spaces between them are sealed with lipids. The pH of the stratum corneum is around 4 to 5.5. Its cells naturally undergo continuous exfoliation.
The corneocytes form the skin barrier with the binding lipids- cholesterol, fatty acids, and ceramides. This barrier prevents harmful environmental toxins and pathogens from penetrating the skin and harming the body. The skin barrier also acts as a shield that prevents the water inside the body from evaporating, leaving you dehydrated.
Corneocytes contain compounds with hygroscopic properties. Natural moisturizing factors (NMF) residing in corneocytes contain amino acids, pyroglutamic acid (PGA), sodium salt, urea, uric acid, and glucosamine.
When the skin barrier starts to function sub-optimally, the consequences can be severe. We experience dry, scaly skin, itchiness, inflamed areas, discolored or rough patches, acne, and bacterial, viral, or fungal skin infections. Repairing the skin barrier becomes a priority. Plant oils and skin formulations that contain ceramides, hyaluronic acid, petrolatum, or glycerin can help in this process.
Below the stratum corneum are several levels of individual flattened cells. Keratin knots, responsible for the skin's color, are formed here.
The next layer below is squamous and comprises several levels of strongly interconnected cells. Ceramides are produced here, which give the skin cohesiveness.
The lowermost fourth layer of the epidermis, the basal layer, is also known as the proliferative layer. It is a thin zone where the skin's cells divide, contributing to its regeneration. The newly formed cells, including Langerhans cells, play a vital role in the immune system, protecting the skin and acting as receptors.
The skin protects the body from pathogens, sunlight radiation, chemicals, and mechanical injury. It cools itself through sweat and allows hot blood to move to the skin's surface, nourishing it. A network of nerves in the skin transmits signals of touch, heat, pressure, cold, pain, and pleasure to the brain. The skin regenerates itself approximately every twenty-seven days.
Products for the face and body differ. Body skin is generally thicker than facial skin, with the middle layer thicker on the back than on the eyelids. The fat layer under the skin is thicker on the body than on the face.
Body skin has a slower cell turnover rate, which can lead to drier, thicker, and scalier skin. Conversely, the face has more oil-producing sebaceous glands than the body, with the highest oil glands in the t-zone. Face skin is typically more sensitive than body skin. Facial skin is often exposed to direct sunlight, wind, and the environment and is, therefore, more prone to drying and aging. Our skin on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet is thickest. An extra layer called stratum lucidum is present in these parts of the body.
Skincare products have been used since ancient times to keep the skin healthy. The largest category of cosmetic products includes cleansers, moisturizers, serums, sunscreens, and masks. Skincare products focus on the skin, lip care, eyes, hair, and nails.
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