Me and my skin
With an area of around 1.8 m² in adults, the skin is not only the largest but also the heaviest organ in the human body. It has a so-called acidic mantle with a pH value of 5.7 in women`s skin.
Its functions are many. It protects us from heat, light, injuries and infections. The body temperature is regulated by sweating. It also stores water and fat and forms precursors of vitamin D under the influence of UV light.
It consists of 3 layers.
- the epidermis (top layer)
- the dermis (layer in between)
- the subcutaneous layer (subcutis)
Epidermis and dermis (colored elastin and collagen)
The bloodless epidermis (the outmost pink layer) consists of four layers of cells stacked on top of each other: the stratum basale, the stratum spinosum, the stratum granulosum and the stratum corneum. The epidermis consists of 90 % skin cells, the so-called keratinocytes. It also contains pigmentproducing cells, the melanocytes, immunecells, the so-called Langerhans-cells and cells of the peripheral nervous system, the Merkel-cells. The epidermis represents the external boundary to our environment.
Collagen fibres (electron microscopic image)
The dermis (the inner pink-blue layer) consists of the so-called fibroblasts, collagen and elastic fibres and the intercellular substance. The fibres form the supporting structure of our skin. The dermis also contains hair roots, blood and lymph vessels, sebaceous and sweat glands, mobile cells of our immune system and numerous nerve endings for the perception of touch, temperature and pain. The dermis is particularly affected by the ageing process.
The subcutis consists of loose connective and fatty tissue. It protects us from the cold, stores energy and acts as a layer between the actual skin and the sheaths of our muscles.
The four cosmetic skin types
Normal
Normal skin shows a good balance between moisture and oil production. Pores are barely visible. The skin feels balanced and healthy overall.
Dry
Dry skin tends to retain less moisture and can therefore often feel flaky, rough and tight. It can also tend to be more sensitive and irritate more easily.
Oily
Oily skin produces excess oil, which can cause it to become shiny and clog pores. People with oily skin are prone to acne and blemishes.
Combination skin
Combination skin is a combination of different skin types. Typically, the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) is oily, while the cheeks tend to be normal or dry.
Hormonal factors, environment and age cause skin types to vary.
Young and ageing skin in comparison
Skin ageing in itself is a completely natural process and begins at the age of around 25, even if no visible signs are recognisable at this time. Due to falling estrogen levels, women’s skin ages faster than men’s, water storage capacity and sebum production decrease and wrinkles become visible more quickly.
Time, genetic (endogenous) and external (exogenous) factors all play a role.
By these we mean
- UVA radiation from the sun
- Lack of or insufficient care
- Inadequate sleep
- Unhealthy diet
- Air pollution
- Smoking
Our skin lives and changes constantly. With increasing age, the supporting structure of our skin regenerates to a lesser extent. Collagen and elastic fibres become fragile and unstable and increasingly lose their ability to store water.
The fat pad belonging to the skin also decreases. It becomes thinner, more vulnerable and increasingly loses its ability to retain moisture. Blood circulation decreases, which means that it is less able to be supplied with nutrients and oxygen.
To sum it up:
- Wrinkles and lines on the face, around the eyes and the lips appear
- Discoloration and pigmentation disorders might show up
- the skin tends to frequent irritation or allergic reactions
- the skin becomes rough
- the skin becomes dry
- the skin feels tight
The ageing process can not be avoided completely.
Nevertheless, there are things you can do to delay it in order to maintain a youthful, radiant and healthy looking skin.