Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/1539961
Protection. Education. Connection. There's an app for that at ascpskincare.com/app 39 Hydration's Effect on Skin and Cell Health by Stacy Best-Nervis THE SKIN BARRIER AND HYDRATION The skin barrier protects the body from external threats and provides shelter for internal processes needed to live. The stratum corneum is the fi rst and outermost layer of the epidermis. Its foundation is an integral key to lock in moisture and prevent water loss through evaporation. Water originating from the dermis fl ows up through the layers of the epidermis: • Stratum germinativum is where the production of new cells begins and starts the process of pushing the older skin cells toward the surface. Hydrated skin cells create the foundation of skin. • Stratum spinosum is rich in keratinocytes, which release glycolipids that help prevent water loss from the body, helping to make the skin "waterproof." • Stratum granulosum is where keratinization occurs and the formation of natural moisturizing factors aids in skin hydration and barrier function. • Stratum lucidum offers added protection with thicker skin in areas like the palms and soles. • Stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the epidermis, which is composed of flattened corneocytes and acts as the protective barrier and lipid barrier. SKIN PHYSIOLOGY GETTY IMAGES HEALTHY SKIN BEGINS at the cellular level. The cellular membrane, composed of a hydrophobic matrix that is formed by phospholipids and proteins, is an integral part of maintaining the integrity of cells. Although microscopic, hydration is crucial in this foundational structure. 1 A healthy phospholipid bilayer off ers the transfer of nutrients, oxygen, and waste throughout the cell. Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids cannot be synthesized by the body, so it's particularly important for dietary intake of omega-3s to support skin resiliency and function. KEY SKIN CELLS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS The following skin cells are essential to skin health: • Keratinocytes—make up approximately 90 percent of the epidermis; essential for skin strength and structure • Langerhans cells—play an immune surveillance role; improper distribution compromises immune response in the skin • Melanocytes—produce melanin, which gives skin its pigmentation and provides (ultraviolet) UV protection • Merkel cells—found near nerve endings and involved in sensory reception