The skin is indeed a barrier, but it’s a selectively permeable one. While it effectively prevents many harmful substances from entering, it also allows certain molecules to pass through, depending on their size, structure, and properties. This is precisely how beauty products are designed to work.  

Here are a few key points on how beauty products penetrate the skin:

• Formulation: Beauty products are carefully formulated with ingredients that have specific molecular sizes and structures to enhance their ability to penetrate the skin’s outermost layer (the stratum corneum).
• Delivery systems: Many products employ advanced delivery systems like liposomes or nanoparticles to encapsulate active ingredients and facilitate their passage through the skin’s lipid layers.  
• Penetration enhancers: Some ingredients in beauty products act as penetration enhancers, temporarily disrupting the skin’s barrier to increase the absorption of other active ingredients.  
• Targeted areas: Different areas of the skin have varying permeabilities. The face, for example, is more permeable than the arms or legs, allowing for better absorption of beauty products.  
• Skin condition: The condition of your skin can also influence absorption. Hydrated, healthy skin is generally more receptive to active ingredients.  

While the skin does act as a barrier, beauty product manufacturers utilize a combination of scientific knowledge and advanced technologies to ensure that active ingredients can effectively penetrate the skin and deliver their intended benefits.  

It’s important to note that not all beauty products penetrate the skin to the same extent. Some are designed to work primarily on the surface, while others are formulated to reach deeper layers of the skin. Always choose products that are appropriate for your skin type and concerns, and consult a dermatologist if you have any questions about specific ingredients or product formulations.