How to Choose Skincare Products?

To properly protect and care for our skin, we need to understand the essential functions it performs.

The skin is the largest organ in our body, covering approximately 1.5 to 2 square meters, with the exact size varying from person to person. Its primary function is to separate our body from the external environment while also connecting us to it, as many stimuli are received through our skin. The skin is involved in excretion, temperature regulation, respiration, and even nerve activities. However, its most critical role is its protective function against environmental impacts.

It plays an important part in UV protection. While UV radiation has some beneficial effects on the body, excessive exposure can cause significant damage. The healthy epidermis and pigment cells support this protection. The melanin produced by pigment cells absorbs UV radiation, thus preventing the formation of free radicals.

Protection against mechanical impacts is achieved through the tightly bound cells in the spiny layer of the epidermis, which allows the skin to withstand numerous erosive effects and protect the dermis from permanent damage. The special structure of the dermis helps eliminate stretching forces, while the subcutaneous fat tissue cushions larger impacts and mechanical stress.

The skin has also built an effective defense line against pathogens, involving the lipid layer, acid mantle, the skin's own bacterial flora, and the horny layer. These structures form the primary line of defense. The acid pH and bacterial flora work together to prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms. The horny layer's keratinized cells are tightly connected, resembling bricks in a wall, with ceramide between them acting as mortar. This protection prevents pathogens, chemicals, or allergens from entering the epidermis.

The skin is also an essential channel for excretion, as accumulated toxins in the body must be expelled through various pathways. Sweat glands, which assist the kidneys in detoxification, help eliminate unwanted toxins through the skin.

Thanks to its respiratory function, the skin provides oxygen to the biochemical processes in the epidermis.

The skin plays a significant role in temperature regulation, protecting us from both hypothermia and overheating. It regulates body temperature through sweating. To maintain a balance and prevent excessive heat loss, the keratin in the horny layer and the fat in the subcutaneous tissue help. Additionally, the sebum on the skin's surface prevents excessive evaporation.

The sensation of touch, temperature (cold and heat), and even itching are all thanks to the sensory nerve endings in the skin. These nerve endings ensure that the information they receive reaches the brain, where the corresponding sensation is created.

From a cosmetic standpoint, the most important feature of the skin is its absorptive capacity. Only vapors and gases can pass through the skin freely. For other substances, the chemical and physical properties of the material, as well as the skin's barrier function, hair follicles, and the permeability of sweat glands, play a role. Water-soluble substances can enter the skin through sweat glands, though their absorption rate is low without external assistance. Fat-soluble substances can be absorbed through sebaceous glands or the horny layer, though even these substances face some resistance.

Thus, our skin does a significant amount of work to protect our body from harmful external influences and deliver everything it needs. We must protect this amazing organ, appreciate it, and do everything we can to ensure it continues functioning optimally for as long as possible!