When you think of organs, your heart, lungs, and kidneys may be first to come to mind. But you might be overlooking your body’s largest and most visible organ: the skin. Far from simply looking pretty, the skin plays a crucial role in protecting your body from harmful organisms and regulating body temperature. It’s much more than something you see in the mirror every day. Good skin health can lead to better overall health.
What does the skin actually do?
The skin accounts for about 15 percent of your body weight, says Barry Goldman, MD, a New York-based private dermatologist affiliated with Cornell Medical Center.
It also serves multiple purposes.
“It’s part of a team of organs that work together,” Goldman says.
“You can’t view the skin as simply something that wraps or covers up the body,” says Kemunto Mokaya (“Dr. Kemmy”), MD, a board certified dermatologist and author of “Live and Look Younger.” “It’s an important and essential organ system that’s complex and has many roles.”
The skin is a superhero organ for its ability to:
- provide immunity
- cover and protect internal body parts and functions
- release sweat
- synthesize vitamin D
- make melanin
- allow us to differentiate between textures, temperatures, and more via touch
Protects us from invaders
The top layer of the skin, or the epidermis, is the front line — literally — when it comes to defending our bodies against harmful external forces, like viruses.
“Intact skin can prevent pathogens from gaining a foothold,” says Goldman. “A disrupted skin barrier allows bacteria and viruses to penetrate deeper into the skin and cause infection.”
But even if pathogens penetrate the skin, this superhero organ will keep on fighting. According to a 2020 review, skin cells team up and organize immune signals to help the body protect against and attack pathogens. “White blood cells from the body constantly circulate through the skin, conducting immune surveillance,” Goldman says. The skin also contains epidermal keratinocytesTrusted Source, cells that create proteins and peptides with antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. The sebaceous glands also secrete oil that adds another layer of protection against foreign substances. As a bonus, it keeps the skin soft.
How to care for your superhero skin;
Skin care products are a dime a dozen. Looking at a list of the latest so-called “must-have” products can be overwhelming. But experts say there are simple ways to care for your skin. It may come as a surprise that you might want to look outside the beauty aisle.
Care from the inside out
Some dermatologists say there’s truth to the adage, “You are what you eat,” at least when it comes to skin care.
Mokaya recommends foods rich in:
- antioxidants, including dark, leafy greens, spinach, kale, and berries to counteract free radicals and environmental damage
- monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, like salmon, walnuts, and chia seeds to strengthen the skin’s lipid barrier
- probiotics, like yogurt, and prebiotics, found in high fiber items like fruit and vegetables to enhance the skin’s barrier
- Mokaya suggested limiting highly processed and sugary foods when possible.
Research suggestsTrusted Source a link between high-sugar diets and acne, and a 2021 study indicatedTrusted Source that eating processed food is associated with atopic dermatitis. Source
