Did You Know? Keratin and Skin

Hooves, claws, horns and even the shells of turtles and spines of porcupines are composed of keratin, the same cells that make up our skin, hair and nails.

New skin cells are formed in the basal layer, the lowest layer of the epidermis. These new cells gradually push their way to the top to form what we know as our protective outer barrier.

As these cells travel upward, they produce more and more keratin. By the time they reach the surface, they are essentially dead, flat, keratin-filled cells that protect our bodies from environmental damage and dehydration.

Understanding this cycle is key to maintaining healthy, glowing skin through proper exfoliation and hydration—helping that natural keratin turnover happen efficiently.