---
title: "Epidermis — Glossary | School of Dermatology"
url: https://schoolofdermatology.com/glossary/epidermis
description: "Understand the epidermis, the skin's outermost layer, its structure, cell types, and critical role as the body's first line of defense."
lang: en
---

Glossary

# Epidermis

ep-ih-DUR-mis

## Definition

The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin and serves as the body's primary physical barrier against the environment. It is composed of multiple sublayers, with the stratum corneum at the very top and the basal layer at the bottom, where new skin cells (keratinocytes) are produced. As keratinocytes migrate upward through the epidermis over approximately 28 days, they flatten, harden, and eventually die, forming the protective stratum corneum. The epidermis also contains melanocytes (which produce melanin for pigmentation and UV protection), Langerhans cells (immune cells), and Merkel cells (for touch sensation). The epidermis contains no blood vessels — it receives nutrients by diffusion from the dermis below. Most topical skincare products primarily act on or within the epidermis.

## Related Terms

Dermis: https://schoolofdermatology.com/glossary/dermis
Stratum Corneum: https://schoolofdermatology.com/glossary/stratum-corneum
Keratinocyte: https://schoolofdermatology.com/glossary/keratinocyte
Melanocyte: https://schoolofdermatology.com/glossary/melanocyte

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