The Basics of Your Skin

Skin is the first visible part of the body that catches the human eye, stretching from head to toe. It's deservedly the largest organ in the human body — and acting as a barrier between the external environment and your internal organs, it's your body's first line of defense.

What lies beneath?

Three layers of tissue stack up to form your skin:

  • Top layer: the epidermis, the visible layer of the skin.
  • Middle layer: the dermis, located just beneath the epidermis.
  • Bottom layer: the hypodermis, often called the fatty layer.

That's Skin 101 in a nutshell — now let's look at what each layer actually does.

Epidermis

The first layer, which you see and touch, contains a protein called keratin, a key building block of skin cells.

  • Acts as a protective shield: it blocks bacteria and germs from entering the body.
  • Renews itself: the epidermis sheds around 40,000 dead cells daily, replacing them with fresh new ones.
  • Defends your immunity: special cells called Langerhans cells help combat germs and infections.
  • Provides pigmentation: melanin, a pigment found in this layer, determines your skin, hair, and eye colour.

Dermis

This middle layer forms the bulk of your skin, giving structural support to the epidermis. It contains two essential proteins: collagen, responsible for skin strength and durability, and elastin, which gives skin its flexibility and elasticity.

The dermis also houses:

  • Hair follicles — the roots where hair grows.
  • Nerve receptors — to sense touch, temperature, and pain.
  • Oil glands — keep the skin moisturized.
  • Sweat glands — help regulate body temperature.

Hypodermis

The hypodermis is the innermost layer of the skin, also called the subcutaneous layer.

  • Cushions muscles and bones: acts as a protective layer.
  • Bridges layers: connects the skin to muscles and bones using connective tissue.
  • Regulates temperature: stores fat to help maintain body heat.

And there you have it — a crash course on your skin. Everything else on this journal, from ingredient deep-dives to seasonal routines, builds on these three layers.

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