Your Skin: It Absorbs! | Down to Earth Organic and Natural (2024)

FAQs

What does your skin absorb? ›

Dermal absorption happens when a chemical goes through the skin and travels into the body. Many chemicals used in the workplace can damage organs if they penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream. Examples of these chemicals include pesticides and organic solvents.

The outer layer of your skin, called the epidermis, is primarily composed of fatty acids such as cholesterol and ceramides. Nutrients must pass through this outer layer to have an effect on your skin. When nutrients are fat-soluble, they pass through the epidermis more readily compared to water-soluble nutrients.

In other words, you can rest assured knowing your favorite skincare products are very unlikely to ever get into your bloodstream—your epidermis and dermis layers are great at doing their jobs.

In general, the rate of absorption of chemicals through skin follows the following scheme from fastest to slowest: Scrotal > Forehead > Armpit ≥ Scalp > Back = Abdomen > Palm = under surface of the foot.

The outermost part of your skin is a beautiful layer of dead cells. But it is not impermeable. Certain chemicals, including oils, medicines, and toxins, can pass through your skin to be absorbed. But this absorption is not equivalent to the levels you would obtain by eating, at least as far as fat goes.

When you apply products to damp skin, the water on your skin's surface helps create a barrier that locks in moisture, allowing products to absorb more effectively. Applying your skincare products to damp skin can also prevent waste. On dry skin, products can evaporate before your skin has a chance to absorb them fully.

During exposure to sunlight 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin absorbs UV B radiation and is converted to previtamin D3 which in turn isomerizes into vitamin D3.

There's a smorgasbord of other ingredients that are often found in skincare products, alongside various claims about their benefits: vitamin A or retinol for anti-ageing; vitamin C to brighten and protect skin against environmental damage; hyaluronic acid to diminish dryness, reduce wrinkles and fine lines; vitamin E ...

Ingredients' solubility – As the skin is water-proof, it is more common for oil- or lipid-soluble ingredients than water-soluble ones to penetrate better. A lipid-soluble vitamin C, for instance, is known to penetrate better and be more effective than regular L-ascorbic acid or water-soluble alternatives.

Does coconut oil penetrate skin? ›

Coconut oil has the natural ability to penetrate the skin quickly and efficiently, which can boost hydration, improve skin elasticity, fight itch and reduce the chances of infection.

Unfortunately, skin care creams are barely absorbed by the skin and simply sit on the surface. Now, you might be thinking “but after using the cream, my skin looks and feels soft and hydrated.” All you are feeling, however, is the layer of cream on top of your skin.

A number of studies have shown that hair follicles contribute significantly to the penetration of topically applied substances, depending on the body site and the substances applied [2].

Oils are great for conditioning skin and providing nutrients that can actually penetrate the skin through pores and the intracellular matrix, but if skin is dehydrated your oils will still have more trouble taking those compounds in. Hydrated skin allows better penetration than dehydrated skin.

The microscopic, brush-like lining of the small intestine acts like a comb that grabs important nutrients out of the digested food that leaves your stomach. Villi are great at absorbing nutrients because they increase the surface area of the inside of small intestine.

Vitamin C can be provided to the skin through topical application. The stratum corneum is the primary obstacle to efficient vitamin C absorption from external sources (11); removal of the stratum corneum by laser, chemical, or mechanical methods enhances absorption (12).

The drawback, as with all dermal fillers, is that the results aren't permanent. The skin will eventually absorb the hyaluronic acid.

Skin is a dynamic, living tissue; as such, its absorption characteristics are susceptible to constant change. Upon contact with the skin, molecules penetrate into the dead stratum corneum and can subsequently reach the viable epidermis, the dermis, and the vascular network (EC, 2004).