Skin Care Guide

The Epidermis

The epidermis has four layers:

• Stratum corneum. Dead, dense protein cells known as keratin makes up the stratum corneum or outer layer of the epidermis - the skin layer that can be seen and felt.

• Granular layer. This layer moves the dead keratin cells to the surface of the epidermis.

• Squamous cell layer. This layer produces keratin for the stratum corneum and also transports water. Blisters originate in the squamous cell layer.

• Basal cell layer. The lowest layer of the epidermis, the basal cell layer is where squamous cells are produced and where the cells that produce melanin, or skin pigment, reside. Malignant melanoma and basal cell carcinomas (skin cancers) afflict the cells in the epidermis' basal layer.