5 Things That You Should Know About Your Skin – But Don’t

In the words of Eminence Organic President, Boldijarre Koronczay – “Love your skin. It lives, breathes and represents you”.

From your fingerprints, to the freckles on your nose and the dimples on your cheeks, your skin is a unique part of who you are. Although skin types vary from person to person, each and every one of us share commonalities when it comes to the purpose and function of this human organ we call “skin”. In addition to regulating your body temperature and protecting your internal organs from external elements, your skin also has many surprising qualities that you may not be aware of. To get you better acquainted with the “skin you’re in” we’ve decided to share 5 interesting facts about your skin (some of them may surprise you!).

1. It’s Your Largest Organ

That’s right – your skin is by far your body’s largest organ, making up at least 16 percent of your total body weight. That’s about 18.5 square feet of flesh! (Everyday Health).

2. It sheds cells at an alarming rate

Your skin sheds up to 50,000 cells every minute. This fact means that the layer of dust at home is not just made up of dirt, carpet and furniture particles, it also consists of (ick!) dead skin cells. If you thought that exfoliating was just for smooth, glowing skin, you’re wrong – you also want to scrub away all that dead skin before it turns into household dust!

3. It’s home to millions of bacteria

There are over 1,000 species of bacteria that grow on the average person’s skin (Stylecaster). Before you jump out of your chair and try to dust off the creepy crawlies, rest assured that the majority of these bacteria serve a very important purpose. These resident microorganisms are actually key players in promoting immunity and fighting against bad bacteria and other nasty invaders that come in contact with your skin (The Scientist).

4. It varies in thickness

Your skin varies in density and consistency from one body part to another. Your eye lids, for example, have the thinnest layer at about 0.05 millimeters, while the palms of your hands and soles of the feet have the thickest layer of skin, at approximately 1.5 millimeters (Huffington Post). Keep this fact in mind when selecting your skin care products – it’s important to specifically treat the eye area with gentle products that cater to this delicate region. It’s also vital to remember that the thinner the epidermis, the more susceptible it is to sun damage, so make sure you apply an SPF daily.

5. Fingerprints can wear over time

Disappearing fingerprints aren’t just a trick out of a spy movie. The reality is that fingerprints can literally wear away over time, most often in people who regularly work with abrasive materials (BBC News UK). Just ask a guitarist, carpenter or even your esthetician. After years of working with different types of exfoliants and peels, experienced facialists often experience inaccurate fingerprint readings due to the wearing away of the epidermal ridges on the finger pads.

This post was written by Christie Pike from Eminence Organics.
You can find their blog here