• Feet Well-Being
• Feet skin facts
  • Your skin’s structure
  • Your skin’s purpose
• Common foot conditions

Your skin's structure

In total, your skin is your body's largest organ and accounts for about 16% of your body weight. To keep your skin healthy and functioning properly, your body rids itself of dead cells to create an entirely new outer layer of skin every 4-6 weeks.

Your skin's layers

Your skin is comprised of 3 different layers, each with a special function. The external layer, the epidermis, is a barrier to unwanted foreign substances, and also gives skin its waterproof character. The middle layer, the dermis, allows skin to be flexible and strong, while the fatty layer underneath it, the hypodermis or subcutis, insulates from heat and cold.

Your skin's thickness

If you look at different parts of your body, you'll notice your skin has varying thicknesses. On your eyelids you'll find the thinnest skin - and the thickest on the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet.

Your feet's skin

The skin on your feet is especially unique. On the topside, the skin is much thinner and more sensitive than on the sole and the heel. And this is not a coincidence: normal walking and everyday activity demands that the bottoms of your feet are sturdier and able to withstand more use.