As we learned in part 1, skin’s top layer—the epidermis—is shielded by a hydrolipid film and works to protect the body while also retaining moisture needed to keep skin healthy. But our skin is a complex organ that also regulates body temperature, provides insulation, stores energy and lets us perceive the world through touch and sensation. The second layer of skin, the dermis, is where the sweat glands, hair follicles, blood vessels and smooth muscles reside, as well as the nerve endings that transmit sensations of touch and pressure to the brain.

The dermis is about three times thicker than the epidermis and is composed of collagen and connective tissue that act like a scaffold to help maintain firm, flexible skin. The collagen and its surrounding tissue form a gel-like sponge that can soak up and release water, as the skin needs it. When we’re younger, this collagen network is extensive and can bind more water than it can when we age.  As we get older, the collagen network is diminished and the dermis holds less water, which causes skin to wrinkle and lose firmness.

The sun’s UVA rays are particularly harmful to the collagen network in the dermis. UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin’s dermis and trigger the production of free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that deplete healthy skin molecules, spur oxidative damage and trigger the cellular changes that reduce elasticity and lead to wrinkles and an aged appearance. Maintaining a healthy diet that is high in antioxidants and using sunscreen products that block UVA rays can help neutralize free radicals and protect the skin’s dermis.

It’s important to realize that the very things that work to keep skin beautiful also help maintain its health. Eating right, exercising, lowering stress and avoiding overexposure to the sun are important components to keeping your skin healthy and strong. Using the right products to clean and moisturize your skin is also necessary to keep it resilient and to help maintain its protective properties. Healthy skin looks beautiful, no matter what your age, and it’s a fundamental factor in your overall health.