How Your Skin Actually Works: The Layers Behind Your Glow

Introduction

When we think about skin, we often only focus on what we see: texture, breakouts, makeup coverage. But the skin is a living, breathing organ—constantly renewing, protecting, and reacting to what’s happening both inside and outside your body.

To take care of your skin properly (and get that lit-from-within glow), it helps to understand what’s actually going on beneath the surface. Let’s break down the three main layers of skin—epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis—and what each one does for your beauty and health.

The 3 Layers of Your Skin (And What They Do)

1. Epidermis – The Protective Surface

This is the outermost layer of skin—what you see and touch. It’s also where most skincare products work.

Key roles:

• Acts as a barrier to keep moisture in and irritants out

• Constantly sheds dead skin cells and regenerates

• Contains melanocytes, which give your skin its pigment

• Houses your acid mantle—a thin layer that keeps skin balanced and healthy

  
  

Skincare that supports it:

• Gentle exfoliants (like AHAs or enzymes) to remove dead skin

• Hydrating ingredients (like hyaluronic acid) to plump and protect

• SPF to prevent UV damage to this sensitive outer layer

  
  

💡 When the epidermis is damaged, skin looks dull, flaky, or irritated.

2. Dermis – The Support Structure

The dermis is the middle layer, and it’s the foundation that keeps your skin looking youthful and strong.

Key roles:

• Contains collagen and elastin fibres that give skin strength and bounce

• Holds blood vessels that nourish the skin

• Contains hair follicles, sweat glands, and oil glands

• Supports wound healing and temperature regulation

  
  

Skincare that supports it:

• Vitamin C and retinol to stimulate collagen

• Peptides to maintain elasticity

• Antioxidants to protect the deeper skin from environmental stress

  
  

💡 When the dermis breaks down, skin loses firmness, shows wrinkles, and heals more slowly.

3. Hypodermis (Subcutaneous Layer) – The Cushion & Connector

This deepest layer of the skin connects it to your muscles and bones. It’s made of fat and connective tissue.

Key roles:

• Acts as a shock absorber and protects internal organs

• Stores energy in the form of fat

• Helps insulate the body and regulate temperature

• Supports overall skin volume and structure

  
  

How to support it:

• Healthy fats in your diet (like avocado, omega-3s) to maintain this cushion

• Facial massage and lymphatic drainage to support circulation

• Consistent hydration to keep all layers functioning optimally

💡 This layer isn’t impacted by skincare products—but lifestyle plays a big role.

Why This Matters for Your Skincare Routine

When you know how your skin is built, you can choose products that do more than just sit on the surface.

• Hydration? That’s the epidermis.

• Collagen production? That’s deep in the dermis.

• Skin volume and elasticity? That’s supported by the hypodermis—and your lifestyle.

  
  

Glowing skin is about layering the right care, the same way your skin layers itself.

Final Thoughts

Your skin is always working for you—protecting you, healing you, and reflecting your inner world. By understanding how each layer functions, you can create rituals and routines that go deeper than the surface. This is where real beauty begins.

Love & Artistry, Philippa