Layers and Functions of Skin + How To Switch To A Natural Skincare Routine

Tired and disappointed of all the chemicals and artificial skin-care products? These might be causing more harm than good. Time to switch to organic care! However. To know what’s best for your skin, you should have the basic knowledge of skin’s structure and functions and hence the root causes of all the skin problems.

Dry skin, dull skin, acne, blackheads, all these skin problems come from within. What does that mean? Skin is a structure far beyond what we envision. It is a complex structure composed of multiple layers all of which have to be equally taken care of. Each layer has its own purpose and function.

Different skin layers and their functions

Let’s discuss all the skin layers briefly.

Epidermis

It is the outermost layer of the skin which we see, with 4 sub-layers. It contains squamous cells, basal cells and melanocytes in a fixed proportion Collectively, it serves the following functions:

• The first line of defense against external environment, viruses, and bacteria.
• Production of wax to keep skin water-proof.
• Production of cells to maintain the integrity of the skin.
• Production of new skin cells for regeneration.
• Melanocytes impart skin its characteristic color.

Dermis

The dermis is the layer deep to the epidermis. It consists of collagen, elastic, and fibroblasts and holds various structures serving the following functions:

• Blood vessels deliver nutrients to the skin.
• Lymph vessels remove toxins from the skin.
• Sweat glands produce sweat which cools the body as well as removes the toxins.
• Hair follicles keep the skin greasy and smooth.

Subcutaneous layer

It is the deepest layer of skin which serves the following functions:

• Provides thermal insulation to the body.
• The pad of fat protects underlying bones and muscles against injury.
• It has nerve endings which produce sensations.
• Hair follicles and sebaceous glands produce oil which keeps skin greasy and smooth.

Skin Care; Switch to A Natural Beauty and Skin Care Routine

For the beginner’s guide; the more natural and organic, the better it is! These go gentle on your skin and protects your skin from the harsh chemicals present in other cosmetic products. Such chemicals do more harm than good to your skin.

Switch to a more natural skin-care routine via following easy steps. Start from the most basic and then step-up!

1- Cleanser

The first and basic step in skin-care is cleansing. Cleansers with organic ingredients like Aloe Vera are highly recommended. Aloe Vera is known for anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, skin tightening, and skin lightening properties. In addition to this, tea-tree oil and olive oil also have good cleansing properties.

2- Toner

Next step in skin-care regimen is the use of toner before you apply your moisturizer. Many of us tend to skip this step ignorant of its immense benefits. Apple cider vinegar and lavender are best known for such properties. Thus, use products which contain such organic ingredients.

3- Moisturizer

After toner, comes moisturizer. The organic ingredients known best for their moisturizing effects include lavender, clove oil, and juniper. These lock the moisture in your skin and prevents it from blemishes, dryness, and redness.

4- Serums

Pure organic retinol and vitamin serums help tone the skin and give it life. The skin gets fresh, smooth and also benefits from the anti-aging properties of these serums.

5- Anti-acne and anti-blemish

Last but not least, all natural and organic anti-acne products work wonders because they do not irritate your skin at all. These keep your skin clear, clean and fresh. 

So, next time you go for beauty shopping, make sure that you make your cart full of all natural and organic products. Time to do justice to your skin!