The skin covers the body and prevents dust and germs to enter the body. When the skin is broken by cut, scratch or bite, germs can enter. Skin also protects the body from drying up. The skin is made up of two layers namely: Epidermis (top layer) and Dermis (underneath layer).

What is the Function of Skin?

Functions of Skin

Your skin covers the entire outside of your body. Your skin is your body’s largest organ, yet it is only about two millimeters thick. It has many important functions. The skin:

• Provides a barrier. It keeps organisms that could harm the body out. It stops water from leaving the body, and stops water from getting into the body.
• Controls body temperature. It does this by making sweat, a watery substance that cools the body when it evaporates.
• Gathers information about your environment. Special nerve endings in your skin sense heat, pressure, cold and pain.
• Helps the body get rid of some types of waste, which are removed in sweat.
• Acts as a sun block. A chemical called melanin is made by certain skin cells when they are exposed to sunlight. Melanin blocks sunlight from getting to deeper layers of skin cells, which are easily damaged by sunlight