Your skin is always changing, literally. Not just in terms of its appearance, but also in terms of its very composition. In fact, you are constantly shedding dead skin cells in order to make space for brand-new ones (it’s happening this very second!). This process is called cell renewal factor, or skin turnover.

But before you get grossed out at the idea of shedding dead skin, consider this: since your skin is constantly exposed to harsh, damaging elements—the sun, wind, bacteria, pollution, etc.—cellular renewal is essential to keeping your skin healthy and fortified. Plus, skin turnover is the key to maintaining skin that has a firm, smooth, glowing appearance—and we all want that, right?

The Life Cycle of a Cell

Just like every living thing, each skin cell has a life cycle. On average, the cycle lasts about 28 days. New cells form at the deepest layer of the skin, called the subcutaneous layer, then rise to the surface as they mature. After the cells move through the epidermis—the top layer of the skin that’s exposed to the elements—they are considered dead and fall off. This shedding process makes way for brand-new skin cells to take their place, which in turn leads to youthful-looking, radiant skin.

As we get older, our skin turnover rate slows down, resulting in a duller, rougher appearance. From ages 19-21, the process takes about 14-21 days, whereas from ages 60-90, it slows to about 60-90 days. (Ever wonder why babies and children have such flawless, luminous skin? It’s because their skin turnover is much faster than adults—lucky them!)

It’s All About Balance

In general, the perfect skin turnover rate is not too slow, nor too fast. Due to a variety of external factors or your skin type, you may experience a buildup of dead skin cells from time to time (think of it as something similar to a traffic jam). This can lead to issues such as hyperpigmentation, acne, milia, and uneven texture. In this case, it’s important to speed up the skin turnover cycle so fresh skin cells can surface and smooth out your complexion. On the other hand, if your skin turnover rate is too fast due to genetics or excess exfoliation, it can result in sensitive skin. Our advice? Moisturize daily with antioxidant-rich skincare products and exfoliate only when you need to.

Where To Start: Skin Conditioner Essential N

A bestseller adored by generations since 1974, Skin Conditioner Essential N was specifically formulated to help you achieve fresh, glowing skin. Infused with a rare variety of Job’s tears called Kita o Hato, this moisturizing, antioxidant-rich essence helps hydrate, brighten, and firm the skin. Horse Chestnut Extract and Hamamelis Extract also contribute to toning the skin and reviving your radiance.

Goodbye to the Old, Hello to the New

We hope you’ve gathered by now that skin turnover (really) matters. Not only does it protect your skin from the elements, but it also revitalizes your radiance for a fresh, youthful-looking complexion. So now the question is—are you ready to glow?

Citations:
https://www.verywellhealth.com/cell-turnover-15552
https://www.wellandgood.com/skin-cell-turnover/
https://www.timelessskinsolutions.com/blog/cellular-turnover/#:~:text=Cellular%20turnover%20is%20the%20process,less%20efficient%20as%20we%20age.
https://www.apostrophe.com/slather/skin-turnover/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470464/#:~:text=The%20hypodermis%20is%20deep%20to,sensory%20neurons%2C%20and%20blood%20vessels.
https://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/skincare/cellular-turnover
https://www.medifine.co.uk/what-is-a-skin-cycle/