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Epidermis
The skin is a complex organ and consists of several layers. The top protective layer, the epidermis, is constantly wearing away and being renewed, as dead skin cells flake off the surface and are replaced by new ones. Your skin renews itself completely every three or four weeks, but slows down as you get older. This layer is thinnest on the eyelids and thickest on the soles of the feet. Exfoliators speed up the renewal of the outermost layer of cells, which is why your skin feels so soft and smooth after exfoliation.
Sebum: Your skin is like a waterproof outer, which protects you from the outside world and prevents dehydration from the inside. Sebum, the body's natural moisturizer, is secreted from the sebaceous glands, helps form a slightly acidic (around pH5) layer on the skin to protect against germs and bacteria. Harsh soaps and cosmetics can erode this protective layer and leave the skin exposed to infection and becoming more 'sensitive'.
Melanin: Also produced in the skin is melanin, a brown-black pigment responsible for skin colour. Melanin absorbs ultraviolet rays and so acts as a natural sunscreen. The more that skin is exposed to sunlight, the greater is the production of melanin - hence the appearance of a suntan on the skin. However, the skin can only produce a certain amount over a period of time, and so it is essential to use sunscreen products when exposing the skin to prolonged periods of strong sunlight.
Dermis
Below the epidermis is the dermis, which contains the vital fibrous tissues, collagen and elastin, which keep the skin looking young. These fibres act in much the same way as elastic, allowing the skin to move while retaining its shape. When these fibres harden, the skin's elasticity is reduced, giving the characteristic appearance of older skin. The dermis contains blood vessels to supply oxygen to the skin and other channels allowing the elimination of waste. Also present are sweat and other glands which help to regulate skin temperature, the sebaceous glands and nerve endings. The deepest layer of the skin is the subcutaneous layer, which contains connective tissue and fat cells protect the body and keep it warm.
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