What is Skin Colour? | Meinreal Skincare

Welcome to the fascinating world of skin!

In order to know what is Skin of Color (SOC), it’s important for us to understand the largest organ in our body better!

Skin is the largest organ made of water, protein, fats and minerals. It is made up of 3 layers- epidermis, dermis and hypodermis.

Hypodermis:

Innermost layer with fat and connective tissue.
It serves as a cushion to protect all our organs from forceful external shocks.
This is why our skin tends to shrink after losing weight & after 40 years since it losses its elasticity to bounce back to its previous state.

Dermis:

Middle layer with blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, and sweat glands.
Contains collagen and elastin for skin strength and elasticity.
Hyaluronic acid retains moisture.
A person tends to have the maximum amount of collagen production at 21 years old, and thereafter 1% of collagen reduces annually, leading to decreased skin firmness and elasticity. Dermis plays a crucial role in supporting the production of collagen, the protein responsible for skin strength and elasticity.

Epidermis:

The outermost layer acts as a barrier against harmful substances.
This is the layer where the pigment or melanin produced from the melanocytes is seen.
Cells shed and renew through cell renewal.
Melanocytes produce melanin for skin colour.
Since melanocytes are more easily triggered, it's important to avoid irritants that could lead to hyperpigmentation, such as harsh acids.

What is Skin of Colour?

Compared to Caucasian skin, skin of colour (SOC) is rich in melanin & more prone to irritation, hyperpigmentation, and ceramide loss over time, which results in dry skin. Skin of colour is thicker, making it more difficult for an ingredient to penetrate. Hence, to address these extra skin concerns without causing new ones, skin of colour needs more hydrating, less irritating, anti-inflammatory, and anti-pigmentation ingredients.

**A Skin of Color person has larger melanin cells, which gets easily triggered upon stimulus/irritation.

Melanin is a pigment that gives colour to the skin, hair, and eyes. It is produced by specialized cells called melanocytes, which are located at the thin basal layer found between the dermis and epidermis. Melanocytes produce melanin through a complex process called melanogenesis, which involves the conversion of the amino acid tyrosine into melanin. When triggered, these melanocytes produce parcels of melanin called melanosomes, that pass to the surrounding skin cells called the keratinocytes.

"Why Skin of Colour requires special care?"

Since melanocytes are more easily triggered, it's important to avoid irritants that could lead to hyperpigmentation, such as harsh acids, denatured alcohol (which dries the skin), fragrances (which are the leading cause of dermatitis), and essential oils (skin sensitizers).

Over-cleansing the skin, can disrupt the skin's natural moisture barrier and strip it of its essential fats and lipids. It's important to choose gentle, non-irritating cleansers that won't strip the skin of its natural oils. Look for products that are NAFE SAFE, free from harsh detergents and that are formulated to maintain the skin's natural pH balance.

The most typical method of exfoliation involves using a physical scrub and manually removing skin cells. Yet, this is not simply restricted to removing dead skin cells but may also cause micro tears, skin irritation, and a compromised skin barrier. Whereas, Chemical exfoliation using bigger molecular Alpha Hydroxy Acids, such as Mandelic acid and Lactic acid, results in a more uniform, precise, and gentle exfoliation.

Ceramides are important for maintaining the skin's moisture barrier, promoting healthy, supple skin and preventing water loss, which can lead to dryness and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Skin of colour typically contains fewer ceramides than Caucasian skin, which makes it more prone to a compromised skin barrier, increased trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), irritation, and sensitivity.

Skin of colour requires more tyrosinase inhibitors as we are more prone to hyperpigmentation, particularly due to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) caused by acne, eczema, or other skin conditions. PIH can result in dark patches or spots on the skin that may take weeks or even months to fade.