Your Skin Works: The Layers of Skin: How It Works, Explained Simply

Video Transcript

Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and your first barrier against the outside world. It is built in three layers: the epidermis on the surface, the dermis beneath it, and a layer of fat below that. A cross-section shows how those layers stack together. The epidermis is the thin outer layer you can see and touch. It seals moisture in and keeps germs and irritants out. New cells form at the base of the epidermis and gradually move upward, and older cells shed away from the surface. At that same base sit melanocytes. They make melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color and helps absorb ultraviolet light. Below is the dermis, the thickest layer. Collagen and elastin here give skin its strength and its stretch. The dermis also holds your blood vessels, nerve endings, hair follicles, and the glands that make oil and sweat. The deepest layer is mostly fat. It cushions the body, holds in warmth, and anchors your skin to the tissue underneath. Working together, these layers protect you, help control your temperature, and let you feel touch, pressure, and pain. This video is for general education only. It is not medical advice. Ask your doctor what's right for you.