The surface of the skin, the part that is visible to the naked eye which skincare products are applied, is in fact a covering of dead skin cells called the Stratum Corneum.
Under this surface, the many functions of the skin take place through three thin yet very distinct layers of cellular tissue: the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous (fat) layer.
The Epidermis layer is responsible for the look and health of the skin, as well as protecting it from moisture loss and penetration of bacteria. The epidermis gives the skin its glow, suppleness, youthfulness and texture. This is also where signs of poor diet, smoking, excess sun exposure and free radical damage are visible. It takes approximately 28 days for a new cell to move to the surface of the skin where it becomes flat and will eventually be exfoliated.
The Dermis the second layer of the skin. It is much thicker and more resilient than the epidermis. This layer serves two principle functions. One is the nutrition of the skin through its network of blood vessels and capillaries. The second is the formation of a supporting framework. The dermis gives the skin elasticity.
The Subcutaneous is the skin’s third and last layer. It is highly elastic and has fat cells acting as “shock absorbers”, thus supporting delicate blood vessels and nerve endings. It is in this, the deepest layer that collagen collapses or wrinkles develop first.
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