The skin is our first defense against the harsh environment.
It covers the entire body and protects it from the elements, so like military defense mechanisms, our skin has numerous lines of defense.
In fact, there are three: the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous tissue.
Let's focus on the first two.
The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin.
It is the body's major barrier against elements such as pollution, dirt, infections, or any microscopic object that could otherwise enter the body.
It is thinnest at the eyelids and thickest at the palms.
It's structure is composed of four to five layers depending on the location.
The dermis the layer of skin that lies between the epidermis and the subcutaneous tissues.
Compared to the epidermis, the dermis is made of two layers composed of collagen, elastic fibers, and extrafibrillar matrix.
These components make the skin strong, durable, resilient, and elastic.
It is said that the dermis is the true skin for it is thick, sturdy, and has numerous nerves, blood vessels, and sweat glands.
It has also been found to shield and repair injured tissues.
Since beauty products are meant to be absorbed by the skin, it is important that it reaches the second layer, or the dermis.
Products such as moisturizers nourish the skin and replenish the moisture which is lost through exposure to the elements and ageing.
Due to the fact that the dermis is the layer which gives skin its elasticity, it needs the ingredients in moisturizers to keep it hydrated.
Moisturizers replenish the water that the skin loses.
Further, the epidermis is made of a water soluble mixture of salts and amino acids.
This helps the skin cells retain moisture, however, since it is water soluble, it easily gets washed away by soap and water.
The effectiveness of this natural water-retaining mechanism decreases as we age as well.
Thus, moisturizers help prevent dryness by locking in moisture.
In effect, it delays the appearance of wrinkles, sun spots, and dry and flaky skin.
Moisturizers do not only serve the purpose of keeping the skin hydrated.
They also make the skin look healthier by giving it a natural glow.
This is an illusion created by a healthy skin.
This illusion is created by light that is reflected from the dermis and passes through the epidermis.
It makes you look like you have that supple, fresh feeling.
There are two kinds of moisturizers.
Humectants are one kind that attract water from the dermis and epidermis and keeps it at the first layer.
On the other hand, occlusives slow down the evaporation of water from the skin.
Moisturizers that target the dermis are more often more effective than moisturizers that stay at the topmost layer of the skin.
This is because the active ingredients are absorbed into the skin making it more effective in retaining moisture.
These two kinds of moisturizers have different ways of retaining moisture, but both work just as well.
It covers the entire body and protects it from the elements, so like military defense mechanisms, our skin has numerous lines of defense.
In fact, there are three: the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous tissue.
Let's focus on the first two.
The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin.
It is the body's major barrier against elements such as pollution, dirt, infections, or any microscopic object that could otherwise enter the body.
It is thinnest at the eyelids and thickest at the palms.
It's structure is composed of four to five layers depending on the location.
The dermis the layer of skin that lies between the epidermis and the subcutaneous tissues.
Compared to the epidermis, the dermis is made of two layers composed of collagen, elastic fibers, and extrafibrillar matrix.
These components make the skin strong, durable, resilient, and elastic.
It is said that the dermis is the true skin for it is thick, sturdy, and has numerous nerves, blood vessels, and sweat glands.
It has also been found to shield and repair injured tissues.
Since beauty products are meant to be absorbed by the skin, it is important that it reaches the second layer, or the dermis.
Products such as moisturizers nourish the skin and replenish the moisture which is lost through exposure to the elements and ageing.
Due to the fact that the dermis is the layer which gives skin its elasticity, it needs the ingredients in moisturizers to keep it hydrated.
Moisturizers replenish the water that the skin loses.
Further, the epidermis is made of a water soluble mixture of salts and amino acids.
This helps the skin cells retain moisture, however, since it is water soluble, it easily gets washed away by soap and water.
The effectiveness of this natural water-retaining mechanism decreases as we age as well.
Thus, moisturizers help prevent dryness by locking in moisture.
In effect, it delays the appearance of wrinkles, sun spots, and dry and flaky skin.
Moisturizers do not only serve the purpose of keeping the skin hydrated.
They also make the skin look healthier by giving it a natural glow.
This is an illusion created by a healthy skin.
This illusion is created by light that is reflected from the dermis and passes through the epidermis.
It makes you look like you have that supple, fresh feeling.
There are two kinds of moisturizers.
Humectants are one kind that attract water from the dermis and epidermis and keeps it at the first layer.
On the other hand, occlusives slow down the evaporation of water from the skin.
Moisturizers that target the dermis are more often more effective than moisturizers that stay at the topmost layer of the skin.
This is because the active ingredients are absorbed into the skin making it more effective in retaining moisture.
These two kinds of moisturizers have different ways of retaining moisture, but both work just as well.