Everything you need to know about skin!

Skin function

The skin is the largest organ of the body, covering an area almost equivalent to 2 square meters and weighing up to 10 kg. It plays a crucial role as a protective barrier against the external environment while maintaining the body's internal balance, or homeostasis.

Social Function
The appearance of the skin plays an important role in the social identification of a person. It affects how we perceive ourselves and how others perceive us.

Protection
The skin acts as a protective barrier against chemical and mechanical damage and ultraviolet radiation. It helps to maintain the body's internal environment stable.

Sensation
The skin is sensitive to pain, touch, pressure and temperature, making it an important sensory organ.

Thermoregulation
Through the dilation and constriction of blood vessels and sweating, the skin helps to regulate the body's temperature.

Metabolism
The skin synthesizes vitamin D upon exposure to sunlight, which is important for the body's calcium and phosphate metabolism.

Anatomy of the skin

The skin consists of two main layers, the epidermis and the dermis, which rests on a layer of fat called the hypodermis. Both the epidermis and dermis are in turn composed of several sub-layers. The area that anchors the epidermis to the dermis is called the dermal-epidermal junction.

Epidermis

The epidermis is a multi-layered squamous epithelium usually between 0.03 and 0.05 millimeters thick. It is mainly composed of keratinocytes in various stages of differentiation from the deeper to the more superficial layers. As the keratinocytes divide, they move from the deeper layer to the more superficial layers.

When they reach the stratum corneum (the outermost layer), they are rejected from the skin in the renewal process of the epidermis, e.g. after bathing or scratching. This process is called 'desquamation'. A complete turnover of the epidermis (renewal of skin) takes about two months.

Dermis

The dermis is a complex network containing both cellular and acellular components. It contains blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles and sweat glands. Structurally, the dermis consists of two sublayers: the superficial papillary dermis and the deeper reticular dermis. The vascular loops of the papillary dermis supply the epidermis with nutrients and oxygen. Collagen, found mostly in the reticular dermis, is the major protein structure in the dermis that gives the skin its durability. Elastin, another major protein structure in the dermis, gives the skin its elasticity.

Fibroblasts are the main cells of the dermis and are responsible for the synthesis and breakdown of dermal proteins such as collagen and elastin. Other cells found in the dermis are macrophages and lymphocytes, which are part of the skin's immune system.

Hypodermis (subcutaneous tissue)

The hypodermis forms the base of the epidermis and dermis and consists mainly of sparse connective and fatty tissue. It contains larger blood vessels and nerves than those found in the dermis. The hypodermis functions mainly as insulation and energy storage.

The skin is an incredibly smart organ that, after 1.9 million years of evolution, has developed a phenomenal ability to protect and care for itself. By understanding the anatomy and function of the skin, we can better appreciate how our lifestyle choices affect its health.

Skincare products may offer short-term benefits, but it's our daily habits and lifestyle choices that deliver long-term results for healthy, youthful skin.

Link to a perfect skincare routine based on lifestyle choices!