The epidermis is the outer layer of the skin. On the face there is believed to be at least 4 layers.
The lower part of the epidermis is an area of cell production; the cells at the base divide and create new living cells composed of protein, and these then start their journey up to the skin’s surface. This journey can take from 28 days, although it is believed as you mature this process slows down.
During the cell’s journey they pick up their pigmentation, start to go through a change where the cell starts to dry out, change shape, become hardened and eventually the cells die and form what are known as ‘squames’ which are dead keratinocytes.
These linger on the surface and held by what are known as natural ‘sticky sugars’, until the cells either fall off naturally or are removed by mechanical or chemical methods When performing your skin care routine, these methods can be included to help improve both the function and the appearance of the skin, especially maturing skin, as it stimulates cell growth, often termed as cell renewal.
There are a few facts about the skin that may surprise you, such as its the body's largest organs and weighs 12% of your body weight, plus the body sheds 4% of your skin every day, and that forms a lot of household dust! It has the ability to both protect the body, but also has the ability to absorb substances, such a pollution, free radicals, cigarette smoke, chemicals, etc. but although it appears to absorb water, we actually have a waterproofing layer, which can be most easily seen on the soles of the feet and the palms of the hands - just stay in the bath too long and see the skin wrinkle in these areas, where the water is held in the upper parts of the epidermis. (In these areas, there are believed to be at least 5 layers of the epidermis).
Understanding about your skin and its functions will help you to understand how the skin works and what happens when you use the various skin care products on it. It will help you to start developing an informed knowledge of why some skin care products work on your skin, whereas others do not.
Love,
Shirley xx
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