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The skin is made up of three layers, each with its own important parts:

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Epidermis​

The layer on the outside is called the epidermis, underneath new skin cells are forming. When the cells are ready, they start moving toward the top of your epidermis. This trip takes about 5-6 weeks, longer as we get older. As newer cells continue to move up, older cells near the top die and rise to the surface of your skin. What you see on your hands (and everywhere else on your body) are really dead skin cells.

 

Dermis 

The next layer down is the dermis. You can't see your dermis because it's hidden under your epidermis. The dermis contains nerve endings, blood vessels, oil glands, and sweat glands. It also contains collagen and elastin, which are tough and stretchy. This is also where the hair starts growing.

 

Subcutaneous Layer​​

The third and bottom layer of the skin is called the subcutaneous layer. It is made mostly of fat and helps your body stay warm and absorb shocks, like if you bang into something or fall down. It also helps hold your skin to all the tissues underneath it.

 

Why Do We Get Dry Skin?​​

• True dry skin is a genetic condition known as eczema or psoriasis.

• This is shown by scaling, itching, and cracking.

• Only 15% of the population suffers from a true dry skin condition.

• If your skin feels dry and tight it is most probably because you are using the wrong products which allow the natural moisture content of your skin to escape through the top layer.

• Many people confuse dehydrated skin with dry skin even if your skin is oily it can still be dehydrated.

• Changes in the weather mean one can develop dry skin or dehydrated skin from time to time.

• It can affect any part of your body. It commonly affects the face, hands, arms, and legs.

• Dry skin isn't usually serious and often temporary — you get it only in winter, for example — but it may be a lifelong condition.

• Signs and symptoms of dry skin depend on your age, your health, where you live, time spent outdoors and the cause of the problem.

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Dry skin is likely to cause one or more of the following:​

• A feeling of skin tightness, especially after showering, bathing or swimming

• Skin that feels and looks rough

• Itching (pruritus)

• Slight to severe flaking, scaling or peeling

• Fine lines or cracks

• Grey, ashy skin

• Redness

• Deep cracks that may bleed

 

Why Do We Get Oily Skin?

Fact is, everyone has oil in their skin unless you have eczema or psoriasis .

Under each of your pores is a sebaceous gland that produces natural oil called sebum. This helps keep your skin hydrated and healthy. The causes of oily skin include genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. While you can’t necessarily get rid of oily skin, you can take steps to make your skin less oily.

The key is to identify one or more of these five underlying causes:

 

• Genetics: Oily skin tends to run in families.

• Age: While you don’t necessarily grow out of oily skin, your skin will indeed produce less sebum as you age. Ageing skin loses protein, such as collagen, and the sebaceous glands slow down.

• Location and Season: People tend to have oilier skin in hot, humid climates. You’re also more likely to have more oil on your skin during the summer.

• Wrong Products: Oily skin can also be brought on by using the wrong skin care products for your skin type.

• Overdoing your skin care routine: On the flip side, washing your face or exfoliating too often can also make your skin oily. This can seem like an oxymoron, since the purpose of washing and exfoliating is to get rid of oil.

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