Skin Basics - How It Protects You from the Surrounding Environment

Your skin is divided into three layers: the epidermis, the dermis and the subcutis (hypodermis). To understand how skincare, especially anti-aging skincare, works, it is important to know just how your skin works to repair itself and protect you from the world around you. Skin is your body’s largest organ and it’s the only thing that is keeping the environment’s pollutants out of your system, so it is crucial to keep it working at its best and to make sure that all of its processes are running smoothly.

The top layer of your skin is the epidermis, which forms a protective barrier on the surface of your skin. While many skincare experts may lead you to believe that this layer of “dead” skin cells is unnecessary and can lead to a dull or lifeless complexion, it is an important part of your skin. The dead cells are a part of a layer of protection, keeping your skin from being affected by infection, dehydration and are a key part of anti-aging. Television commercials and skincare companies want you to believe that it is imperative to get rid of every single last dead skin cell, but in truth, that first layer of skin reflects up to 80% of damaging UV radiation. So while exfoliating is important, it’s also important to make sure that you aren’t over-exfoliating and causing more damage to your skin. The epidermis also contains a layer of lipids, which keep your skin from drying out. Many products can strip this lipid layer, leaving skin dehydrated and accelerating aging.

The second layer of skin is the dermis, where many skin problems develop. It is the thickest layer of your skin and is where collagen, elastin and other important cells are housed. Every day, the dermis is pushing new cells up into the epidermis. The dermis beings thinning between the age of 20 and 30, and continues to lose about 1% of density per year. Keeping your dermis healthy is where professional grade products and nutrition come into play, since most products can’t penetrate deeply into the skin and a healthy diet keeps your skin working its best. When you do not provide proper nutrition and hydration to your skin, the effects are shown in the dermis and can lead to the formation of wrinkles, acne and inflammation.

Underneath the dermis is the subcutis, which is where your skin keeps a steady supply of stem cells, vitamins, minerals and more. There isn’t much UV damage down at this level, since the bulk of damage occurs above, but it’s important to note that nutrition, stress and other factors can affect the subcutis and can lead to cellulite and other skin concerns.

Together, the three layers work to protect your body from outside stressors, so it is important to keep them working their best. A combination of professional grade products, regular visits to Estheticians and proper UV protection will keep your skin healthy and you’ll see the results in a healthy, glowing and radiant complexion.