Skin structure

Skin is the greatest and, according to its function, the most versatile organ of the body. Its flexible outer coat is waterproof and protects our internal organs from the surrounding environment. It is made up of three base layers:

• The epidermis
• The dermis
• The subcutis 

Epidersmis:
The epidermis is the outer skin layer which is made up of the multi-layered, flat plate-like cells of the epithelium. It consists of four sublayers which, working upwards from the bottom to the top, are : the basal layer (stratum basale), the thorny layer (stratum spinosum), the grainy layer (stratum granulosum) and the horny layer (stratum corneum). Each of these layers represents a different developmental stage in the life of the cells called keratinocytes. The basal layer of cells is the active layer of dividing cells from where the newly formed cells migrate towards the surface to the horny layer where they flake off. In the basal cell layer can also be found melanocytes, pigmentation cells, which react with light and in the upper epidermis layer they produce the skin colouring matter melanin, which gives hue and colour to the skin. The horny epidermis layer is made up of flat plate-like cells crammed with the protein keratin and which do no have a nucleus. This thin layer of closely packed cells acts as the body's first line of defence, which creates a waterproof barrier,, protects against drying out, maintains the body temperature and prevents the entrance of bacteria to the inner body. The time from when the first division of cells takes place in the basal layer to the flaking off of the cells on the topmost skin layer, ie the horny layer, lasts for approximately four to six weeks.

The Dermis:
The dermis is a layer beneath the epidermis which gives the skin its structural foundation and supplies it with energy and chemical compounds for skin renewal. It is constructed from strong and flexible connecting tissue, on account of which the skin is firm and smooth. Present in the dermis layer are blood vessels, lymph vessels, perspiration glands, sebaceous glands, hair root bulbs, hair follicles, nerves and the body's sensory organ. Sensory nerve endings transmit the feelings of mechanical pressure or touch as the feeling of hot or cold to the brain. Numerous sebaceous glands secrete oils, which preserve the skin's suppleness, provide the hair with oil and protect against infection.The first signs of ageing occur due to loss of the dermis's elasticity.

The Subcutis:
This layer of skin is found beneath the dermis. It is composed of delicate connecting tissues and fat cells. These fats keep in heat and protects against mechanical effects on the deeper-lying internal organs


Types of skin

There are four basic defined skin-type groups:

Combination and Normal Skin:
Normal skin is in functional balance. It is secreting just enough oil to protect the skin and provide the right amount of moisture to the skin. This type of skin has medium-sized pores, a smooth skin surface, good circulation and a healthy complexion. Combination skin consists of both dry and oily skin. The skin on the cheeks can be dry while the skin in the T-zone areas (forehead, nose and chin) is more oily. With age, combination skin can change to normal skin. The majority of women have either combination or normal skin. Caring for normal skin is not demanding, but it is necessary to adapt its care to changes which occur during the aging process.

Oily Skin
Oily skin makes an appearance during puberty, when sexual hormones start functioning. For many people this condition calms down after puberty, but some people also have this skin type in their later years.
In terms of appearance, this type of skin has large, visible pores, blackheads and is prone to the formation of pimples. It has puffy, reddened and shiny appearance.

Dry skin
When young, properly looked-after dry skin looks soft and beautiful, but as the years pass wrinkles quickly make an appearance. Dry skin is lacking in sufficient skin oil and consequently moisture. If this natural protection is not present the horny epidermis skin layer remains dry skin remains and flakes off. After cleansing it feels tight. The skin does not have any colour, is dull, chapped and has no glow. Dry skin can be quickly thrown out of balance by different external factors : wind, sun, cold, dry air…

Sensitive Skin:
Sensitive skin is always dry. The skin is thin with small pores. Skin irritation and red blushes occur quickly. It is prone to broken capillaries and allergic reactions.

What type of skin do I have?

If you are not sure what your skin type is, carry out an at-home test.
Take several thin absorbent paper tissues (or thin paper napkins, thin rice paper..). Thoroughly clean the skin on the face and neck. After 40 minutes press the paper tissues onto different parts of the face (forehead, chin, nose ..) and check the tissues. You can assess what type of skin you have from the amount of absorbed oil on the tissues. From the amount of the absorbed oil on the tissues you can assess your skin type and notice if you have the feeling of any tightening of the skin and observe when this occurs.

Oily skin : If you have oily skin the paper tissues will stick to the more greasy areas of the face. There will be visible traces of oil on each of the paper tissues. Your pores will be more noticeable and more pronounced.

Combination skin : If you have combination skin the traces of oil on the paper tissues from the central area of the face (the T-zone) will be more noticeable than on the cheeks.

Dry skin : If you have dry skin there will be no traces of oil on the paper tissues. A sensation of tightness and stretched skin appears.

Do men have different skin to that of women?

The difference between men's and women's skin lies in the sexual hormones. The ratio between the hormones depends on the individual. We are talking about androgen (male sex hormone) and oestrogen (female sex hormone). Overly-oily skin is caused by the androgen hormone testosterone, which stimulates the sebaceous glands to secrete more oil. Consequently, when the oil from the sebaceous glands journeys to the surface, the pours are more visible and enlarged. Accordingly, men's skin differs from that of women's skin. It is between 16-20 percent thicker, more oily, hardens more quickly and secretes more impurities. A man's skin has enlarged pores, is more shiny and suffers from frequent irritations due to shaving.

With regard to gender, every skin needs care. For this reason the cosmetic industry has turned in the direction of the development of cosmetic lines for men in connection with the demands of male consumers.

Have you ever heard of 'metrosexuality'?

This word was first used by the British journalist Mark Simpson. It is a compound of two words, namely heterosexual and metropolis. It represents young men in large cities who spend considerable sums of money in clubs, salons, gyms and who devote a lot of their time and energy to ensuring a well-groomed appearance.
A metrosexual is a modern man with an aesthetic concern with regard to his external appearance. He is someone who follows fashion trends, who keeps up with what's new in the world of top-end cosmetics and who spends large amounts of time and money in the cultivation of a modern˝lifestyle˝.