No, the skin is not very good at absorbing substances, including cream.
Understanding Skin Absorption
The primary function of the skin's outer layer is to protect the body from external threats like bacteria and microbes. Therefore, it's designed to be a barrier, rather than an absorption tool. According to the reference, when you apply cream, the ingredients mostly sit on the surface of your dead skin cells, forming a greasy film.
Why Cream Doesn't Easily Absorb
- Barrier Function: The skin's outermost layer, the stratum corneum, acts as a robust barrier. Its structure is designed to repel substances, not to let them pass through.
- Large Molecules: Many ingredients in creams have relatively large molecules. These are too large to pass easily through the skin barrier.
- Lack of Absorption Mechanisms: While some small molecules can be absorbed, the skin doesn't have mechanisms designed for bulk absorption of creams.
What Happens When You Apply Cream
Instead of being absorbed into the deeper layers of the skin, cream ingredients primarily interact with the surface. This interaction can:
- Hydrate the Surface: The greasy film formed by creams can help reduce water loss from the skin's surface, giving a feeling of hydration.
- Provide a Protective Barrier: The cream can provide an additional barrier against environmental factors.
- Temporarily Improve Appearance: By hydrating the surface and filling in cracks, creams can make skin look smoother and more radiant.
Absorption vs. Penetration
It's important to note the difference between absorption and penetration:
- Penetration: Refers to a substance passing through the skin layers. Some small molecules can penetrate, but this isn't the same as the skin absorbing cream.
- Absorption: Implies that a substance is taken up by the cells and tissues of the body. This isn't typically the case with the majority of cream ingredients.
Key Takeaway
While cream might improve the look and feel of the skin's surface, it is not readily absorbed by the skin as some may think. The cream mainly sits on top of the skin acting as a barrier and providing a feeling of hydration.
