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Besides being the largest organ in the human body, coming in at about 20 square feet, the skin has the important job of protecting the body. Protecting it from environmental factors, keeping body temperature regulated and encouraging the sensation of touch, heat and cold. But did you know your skin has three main layers that all have it's own purpose? Understanding what each layer does, will only allow you to improve your overall skin health. Let's Begin:

photo credit: WebMD.com

Epidermis

• Outermost layer that you see and touch, thinner on some areas such as your eyelids or lips and thicker in areas such as bottom of feet or palms of your hands.
• Made up of 5 layers called stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum, and stratum corneum.
• Responsible for protecting your body with special cells that make up part of your immune system, encouraging you to stay healthy.
• Produces melanin, which allows your skin to have color and new skin cells. These new skin cells begin at the bottom working there way upward by causing skin to flake. This is a good sign it is time to exfoliate, remove the layer of dead skin cells using one of our gentle, nontoxic body scrubs. 

Dermis

• The second layer under the epidermis has a lot of big jobs.
• Made up of two layers called papillary region and reticular dermis.
• Little pockets in the Dermis called sweat glands allow your body to sweat, getting rid of toxins and keeping your body cool.
• Another little pocket is responsible for making oil, your skins natural oil keeping it smooth, soft and waterproof. Too much oil results in clogged pores, blackheads and acne.
• Nerve endings located here send signals to your brain telling yourself if something hurts, tickles, itches, burns, cold, etc. 
• Hair growth begins here and each root attaches to a tiny little muscle that tightens giving you goose bumps when cold or scared.
• Bringing life to your skin, blood vessels are present in this layer allowing blood to be brought to the surface and taking toxins away.

Subcutaneous Fat

• The bottom layer under the dermis that plays and important role to body function.
• Has special connecting tissue attaching the dermis to muscles and bones.
• Controls body temp with regulating so that you get too hot or cold. 
• The blood vessels that started in the dermis continue into the subcutaneous fat get bigger allowing blood to and nerve cells to travel to the entire body.
• Stores fat protecting bones and muscles from bumps and falls.