Dermis

Also known as:  Corium

The Dermis is a thick inner layer of the Skin lying beneath the Epidermis.  It comprises approximately 90% of the thickness of the Skin.

Cardiovascular System

 Capillaries reside in the Dermis.

Immune System

 Lymph Vessels reside in the Dermis.

Nervous System

 Sensory Nerve Endings reside in the Dermis.

Skin

   Fibroblasts are a component of the Dermis (they are responsible for the synthesis of Collagen and Elastin).

 Hair Follicles reside in the Dermis.

 The Dermis is the home of the Sebaceous Glands that produce Sebum - Sebaceous Glands are found at the base of each Hair Follicle.

 The Dermis provides structural support to the Skin and is the layer of the Skin that absorbs most of the substances that are capable of penetrating the Skin.

 The Dermis is the home of Sweat Glands.

Water/Water Balance

 The Dermis is involved in the Skin’s Water Balance:

 Water diffuses from the Dermis through the layers of the Epidermis and then evaporates when it arrives at the Stratum Corneum surface.  The quantity of Water that evaporates from the Stratum Corneum is governed largely by the relative humidity of the atmosphere (not by the endogenous Water content of the Skin).

 The Dermis contains approximately 70 % Water which represents 15 - 18 % of the total Water content of the body.

Carbohydrates

 Beta-Glucans (applied topically) may penetrate into the Dermis. 

 Dermatan Sulfate (formerly known as ChondroitinSulfate B) is an important component of the Dermis of the Skin.  ^[1]

 Hyaluronic Acid may facilitate the retention of optimal amounts of Water in the matrix of Connective Tissue in the Dermis of the Skin (thereby enhancing the elasticity of the Skin - loss of viscoelasticity of the Skin is a major contributory factor for the formation of Wrinkles).  Endogenous Hyaluronic Acid normally performs this function and exogenous Hyaluronic Acid (applied topically or consumed orally) may enhance this function.  Hyaluronic Acid may also lubricate Collagen fibers within the Dermis, reducing the transformation of soluble Collagen to insoluble Collagen.  ^[2]

Cosmeceuticals

 Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) (applied topically) - may improve the structural integrity of the Dermis: