If we hear the word “organ“, most of us think of the liver, the kidneys, heart, stomach and colon, perhaps even nose, eyes and ears. But skin? It is in fact our largest organ, with a surface of approx. two square metres and it makes up a sixth of our body weight. Its tasks are as numerous as demanding: as an outer layer it protects the body from mechanical and environmental influences, like sun, heat, cold, moisture, harmful bacteria and viruses. At the same time, it is a sensory organ, always in contact with our surroundings and a scene of important excretion processes.
The skin is made up of three layers:
- epidermis (outermost layer),
- dermis (connective tissue) and
- subcutis (fatty tissue).
The effect of cosmetics is usually limited to the epidermis, anything that goes deeper than that is restricted to medical science.
The stratum basale is the lowest living layer of the epidermis which is connected through a cell membrane with the dermis and builds a barrier. Here, cell division and growth of the upper skin layer take place. The more cells move towards the surface and thereby pass through the stratum spinosum, the stratum granulosum, the stratum lucidum and the stratum corneum, the more their moisture content decreases. Eventually, they are excreted as small skin scales. This process takes approximately 30 days.
More often than not, the skin’s condition mirrors our physical and mental wellbeing. Healthy skin has become a rare occurrence these days. During the past decades, lifestyles and climate have changed drastically. We might live longer, but our daily life accelerates at a much higher speed, starting already in early childhood, than it did 20, 50 or even 100 years ago. UV rays, stress, diseases and medication, alcohol and nicotine are affecting the skin. As a result, modern medicine and research warn: allergies and environmentally caused diseases are increasing. At the same time, research confirms that with healthy eating habits, regular exercise and supply of certain bio substances via the skin, a major influence can be taken on the skin.
This insight forms the basis for the expression "Hautgesundheit". To achieve this state of well-being and keeping a healthy aura is our highest goal.
