Did you know that the nose, chin and neck have skin with different characteristics, from hydration to pH?
One face, many skins
When we apply a cream, we usually spread it over the whole face in the same way. Yet we know from experience that some areas get shiny sooner than others, or that some spots feel tighter. Researchers have also observed that the face reacts differently to substances depending on the area.
One possible explanation lies in differences in the physical properties of the skin from one spot to another. The study we are discussing tried to draw a map of them.
How the study was done
The study, published in 2007, involved 20 volunteers. Ten were young, aged 24 to 34, and ten were older, aged 66 to 83. The researchers measured the skin at seven sites on the face, neck and forearm.
Six parameters were measured. Blood flow in the skin, water loss through the skin, hydration of the outermost layer, temperature, pH and the amount of sebum on the surface.
What was observed
In both groups the nose had the highest blood flow. The area around the mouth and the nasolabial folds showed the greatest water loss. The neck had the highest hydration and the chin the most alkaline pH.
Some differences depended on age. The highest temperature was on the neck in the young group and in the nasolabial area in the older group. Sebum was highest in the nasolabial area in the young group and on the chin in the older group.
How to read the result
The study is small, with ten people per group, and it measures baseline values without testing products or treatments. The authors present it as a starting point for future studies on skin diseases and treatments.
The message is still clear and useful. The face is a set of areas with different needs, and age changes the map too. Watching how the different areas of your face behave helps you dose your products better. If one area always reacts differently from the others, a dermatologist can help you understand why.
This article is for information only. It does not replace the advice of a doctor or dermatologist, whom you should consult with any question about your skin.