The epidermis is a keratinised, stratified, squamous epithelium. Its thickness ranges from 0.5 to 3mm. depending on its location. Being the outermost layer of the skin, it is certainly an important site for microbial colonization.

The most common cell of the epidermis (comprising about 90% of all the cells of the skin) is the keratinocyte. New keratinocytes are constantly being created in the stratum basale. As they are moved towards the surface, they experience a process known as keratinization.

This implies the synthesis of a unique protein known as keratin, and the subsequent death of the cell. The devitalized keratinized cells (known as squames) comprise the outer layers of the epidermis with lipids that fill the intercellular spaces and are gradually sloughed off - a process termed desquamation. It has been estimated that the skin surface of the average adult is composed of about 2 x 10 (9) squames. It takes between 2 and 4 weeks for the passage of a cell from the basal layer to the outermost layer of the skin, and as a consequence of this process, it has been estimated that the stratum corneum is entirely renewed every 15 days.

The keratin present in cells defends the underlying tissues from heat, chemicals, and microbes. Melanocytes are the second most typical cells of the epidermis. These have long slender projections that produce a dark pigment called melanin. This pigment is then moved to the keratonicytes where it blocks ultraviolet rays, thus defending the skin from its damaging effects, stopping the development of further actinic keratosis symptoms. The only other cells observed in the epidermis are Langerhans cells (which are part of the immune response to microbial intruders) and Merkel cells (which are linked with sensory neurons and are involved in the sensation of touch).

Know your skin's anatomy

The dermis has an extremely intricate structure that consists of:

1) Connective tissue containing collagen and elastin fibers conferring the skin tone; 2) Small finger-like projections (papillae) which protrude into the epidermis and contain nerve endings sensitive to touch, heat and pain; 3) Hair follicles; 4) Arrector pili muscles for coordinating hair movement; 5) Sebaceous glands; 6) Sudoriferous glands; 7) Nerves; 8) Adipose tissue; and 9) Capillaries and veins.

It is essential to know how and why acne issues occur within your skin's anatomy. On the keratin invested follicle canal, where the sebaceous glands are found, Proprionibacterium bactaria live in symbiosis, feasting on and transforming the sebum produced by the sebocytes cells before it submerges on the exterior of the skin. The nascent sebum is largely lipid in composition and also contains DNA, RNA, proteins, and other cellular components that result from the rupture of sebocytes themselves. Proprionibacterium acne is found only in sebaceous rich areas.

If the nutrients in the follicular canals increase due to an active and large sebaceous system and sebum does not evacuate adequately out of the canals, then colonization and high reproduction rates of Proprionibacterium acne will appear. The resident microbial flora produces biologically active molecules like histamine, extracellular enzymes and peptides, which may trigger the inflammatory response that characterizes acne breakouts.

Know your body and make solutions happen with our natural products, made to recover your skin while making it softer and healthier. Visit our page to read more information about Mother Nature's incredible gifts.