Skin Explained - Definition, Structure & Function
You have to understand what is skin to prevent skin or hair problems.
And to fight myths about dark skin that spread in black communities.
It is a mistake to skip the science behind the skin and move directly into creating a skincare routine.
Don’t ignore the facts and blindly follow advice on the internet.
To get the skin you always dreamed of you have to get acquainted with the skin you’re in.
This article will help you understand the skin’s structure and functions so you can fully understand your skin and create an effective routine.
For your convenience, you can find all external references used to write this post here.
Let’s have a look beyond the surface.
What is Skin?
Your skin is a barrier that separates you from your environment.
It is the outer covering of the body and the largest organ you have.
Dark skin is defined as skin that contains high amounts of melanin pigments.
Your skin takes on different thicknesses, colours, and textures all over your body.
That will influence how you apply products in your routine.
Your eyelids have thin and delicate skin, while the soles of your feet and the palms of your hands are thicker and harder.
Thinner areas of the skin require less strength and more care.
Thicker areas of the skin like the palm of your feet require specialized treatment like frequent dead skin removal.
The thickness of your skin also depends on age and sex.
Older people generally have thinner skin than younger people, and men generally have thicker skin than women.
Functions of the skin
Skin is a stable but flexible barrier with 3 main roles: Protection, Regulation and Sensation.
To truly know what is skin, you have to know what it is doing for you.
Different functions include:
- Waterproofing the entire body;
- The first line of defence against bacteria and other microorganisms;
- Protective barrier against physical injury and hazardous substances;
- Regulation of body temperature;
- Gives information about pain, pleasure, temperature and pressure;
- Reduction of harmful effects of UV radiation;
As you can see, your skin does not exist solely for cosmetic value.
Skin is a vital organ, and it can be damaged with the use of the wrong skincare products.
When you create a skincare routine, you should aim to have healthy skin first.
And aesthetically pleasing skin, second.
Structure of the skin
It’s important to know the skin’s structure to understand which products penetrate the skin, and which products work only on the skin’s surface.
The skin is not a sponge and it doesn’t absorb all product you apply.
Skin absorption and skin penetration are 2 different concepts.
For skincare products, skin penetration is what we are looking for.
The products applied to the skin stay in the targeted skin layer and do their job.
The skin is composed of 3 layers as seen in the figure below.
They are the Epidermis, the Dermis and the Hypodermis (subcutaneous fat layer).
Each layer has its functions.
The Epidermis
The skin you can see, and where you apply your products is called the epidermis.
And it is the outermost layer of skin.
Its prime function is to act as a barrier to the external environment, preventing the entrance of irritants, dirt, and bacteria.
At the same time, it prevents the loss of water that causes dry skin.
The epidermis itself is composed of cells that produce keratin – keratinocytes that are organized in layers.
These layers constantly renew themselves through the desquamation process.
New cells are made in the lower layers of the epidermis and within four weeks these cells are gradually pushed to the surface of the skin.
The old cells harden and then eventually die off as dead skin.
Dead skin cells feel harsh on the skin’s surface and make the skin look dull.
They also mix with bacteria and dirt to cause acne so they need to be removed.
To accelerate the desquamation process and expose the new cells for bright, even, and smooth skin you can use pressure or rubbing, for example, exfoliation.
The epidermis also contains other types of cells with special functions:
- Melanocytes produce and store the pigment called melanin that gives skin its colour.
- Lymphocytes and Langerhans cells play an important role in fighting germs.
- Merkel cells are special nerve cells in the skin that enable you to sense pressure and give you a sense of touch.
The Dermis
The dermis is the middle layer of the skin that is located between the epidermis and the hypodermis.
The primary role of this layer is to sustain and support the epidermis.
This layer is composed of Elastin (which keeps skin flexible) and 70% Collagen (which keeps skin strong).
Collagen is important to keep your skin young and firm.
Elastine keeps your skin elastic.
However, with age and exposure to the sun’s UV radiation, your skin degrades both collagen and elastin.
The result is sagging and stretching of the skin.
Sunscreen is a tool to protect tool to protect against premature ageing because it protects the collagen and elastin in the skin.
Dark-skinned people, who have more melanin look younger because melanin protects the collagen on the skin preventing its breakdown.
But even dark-skinned people need sunscreen to prevent other skin problems.
The Hypodermis
The hypodermis or subcutaneous layer is the bottom layer of the skin.
It consists largely of fat and connective tissue, providing structural support for the skin.
As well as, protecting the body from cold and physical aggressions.
It is on this layer that you can find blood vessels and nerves.
Although the hypodermis layer is not visible, it has an important role in the appearance of the skin.
As you get older, your hypodermis decreases in size and you lose subcutaneous fat causing your skin to sag.
Conclusion:
The different layers of your skin affect your appearance in various ways.
Any skincare product must be applied with responsibility paying attention first to your health and only then taking into consideration cosmetic value.
Being the largest organ in your body, your skin requires care.
You have to apply the right skincare products to avoid skin damage because it will be harmful to your health.
In order to keep this barrier healthy, you need to understand what the word skincare means and with what objective you should create a skincare routine.
Fortunately, I have a post to help you.
Read below.
Skincare is the care and keeping of the largest organ in your body — your skin! The etymological definition – Skin + Care stands for “caring for your skin”.
Disclaimer: This article is informational only. This article does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.
Read The Other Articles of The Series.
Skincare is the care and keeping of the largest organ in your body — your skin! The etymological definition – Skin + Care stands for “caring for your skin”.
This article will help you understand the value of caring for your complexion and present six reasons why skincare is essential for everyone.
The steps for healthy skin are easy to implement. The three basic steps of a skin-care routine are Cleansing, Moisturizing and Protecting.
