Although we tend to shy away from clichés, science confirms it: human beings are curious by nature.
We love discovering and sharing with you little curiosities that awaken that restless part that we all carry within us.
Today we've compiled a few for you to enjoy reading and learn interesting facts about skin and cosmetics that you probably didn't know.
We've compiled 27 fascinating facts that will leave you speechless:
1- Nails grow at an average rate of 3.47 millimeters per month
Not everyone's hair grows at the same rate, as factors such as nutrition, age, and health influence it .
In the case of toenails, they grow more slowly, which is why nail polish lasts longer intact.
2- We lose between 35 and 100 hairs from our scalp every day
It's difficult to calculate exactly how much hair we lose each day. It's estimated that, on average, a healthy person loses between 35 and 100 hairs daily. This number typically increases in autumn and spring.
3- We lose about 18 kilos of skin throughout our lives
This statement is one of the most surprising, but it is completely true.
This is due to the number of dead cells we lose throughout our lives (and as you can see, it doesn't exactly weigh little).
4- The dust you have around your house is composed of 90% of those dead cells
Science says that a person eliminates around 500 million cells a day, which is equivalent to 0.03-0.09 grams per hour.
However, it should be noted that many fragments end up down the drain, so the figure could be less than 90%, and the other... well, now you know it's lurking around your bed or sofa.
5- 16% of your body weight is your skin
The skin is the largest organ , and it's estimated that 16% of body weight is skin. In an adult, on average, that could be between 5 and 10 kg. Quite a lot!
6- You can have up to 182 different species of bacteria on your skin
This information isn't for hypochondriacs, but the reality is that the skin can contain up to 182 different bacteria. This can vary depending on the environment, pH, and hygiene.
7- The thinnest skin is on the eyelids
The eyelid area is one of the most delicate parts of our face and body, with a thickness of barely 0.5 mm.
For this reason, it is important to pay close attention to it and provide it with plenty of nutrition .
However, the thickest —up to 4 mm— is found on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
8- The fingertips have more nerve endings
Not all parts of the skin have the same sensitivity.
The area with the most nerve endings is the fingertips.
Hence its accuracy in perceiving texture, temperature, or vibration.
9- The skin is completely renewed every 28 days
On average, human skin completes a regeneration cycle in almost a month.
During this time, cells are born in the deepest layers and rise to the surface, where they eventually detach.
10. In contrast, psoriasis accelerates this process
In people with psoriasis, cell renewal occurs much faster—in just 3 to 7 days.
This acceleration prevents skin cells from maturing properly, causing them to accumulate on the surface and form the well-known plaques or scales.
11- Light skin has more wrinkles than dark skin
It's a common belief that people with fair skin naturally have more wrinkles than those with darker skin. There's an explanation for this: they tend to have less collagen and elastin.
12- The first known cosmetic is Kohl
The Egyptians were pioneers of beauty. More than 4,000 years ago, they were already using kohl to line their eyes, a black powder made from galena that was used to enhance their gaze and protect their eyes from the sun.
13- Cleopatra bathed in donkey milk… without knowing it contained lactic acid
According to history, Cleopatra kept her skin soft and luminous thanks to donkey milk baths, a ritual with which she sought to preserve her beauty.
Today we know that its secret lay in lactic acid, a AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid) present in dairy products and also in plants.
This acid acts as a gentle exfoliant that removes dead cells, improves skin texture and stimulates its renewal, providing greater luminosity and uniformity.
14- In the Middle Ages, women used powdered lead to whiten their skin
The ideal of pale skin led to the use of lead powders.
However, over time it was discovered that it was toxic and caused skin damage or even hair loss.
15- The word cosmetic is derived from the Greek word Kosmein and means to adorn
We use the word cosmetic every day, but that's no coincidence; it comes from Kosmein, which in Greek means "to adorn" or "to beautify."
16- Lipstick was created in 1884 by French perfumers
The first lipstick (not in stick form) was created in Paris in 1884. It was launched on the market wrapped in silk and aluminum foil.
17- The origin of sunscreen dates back to World War II
The sunscreen industry began in World War II, when governments needed creams to protect the skin of their troops in places with extreme climates.
18- Acne affects 85% of teenagers
To a greater or lesser degree, acne is estimated to affect 85% of teenagers. It is considered the most common skin condition.
19- Geishas used rice powder to whiten their faces
Geishas used rice powder to whiten their faces. It's a An ancient beauty secret originating in Asia that does not go unnoticed.
Obviously, much healthier than lead.
20- Men's skin is 20% thicker
On average, men's skin is 20% thicker than women's. This is because men have more collagen , which makes it firmer and more resilient.
21- The pores neither open nor close
Contrary to what is often believed, the reality is that you cannot open and close your pores; it is a myth .
Many people believe that pores open with hot water and close with cold water, but what actually happens is that they dilate and their size can vary.
So stop fighting with them. Instead of using harmful cosmetics full of astringent ingredients and alcohols , learn to pamper your skin.
22- The skin can produce 1 liter of sweat per day
Can you imagine sweating 1 liter a day ? On average, that's estimated to be the amount people sweat each day.
The worst part is that it can rise to 10 liters in the case of intense exercise and extreme heat.
23- Red lips became a symbol of female power in World War II
During World War II, many women became indispensable in factories.
To demonstrate their rebellion , they chose to wear red lipstick.
24- There is no such thing as a healthy tan
Tanning is actually a defense mechanism against sun damage. There is no tanning without alteration of the skin's DNA.
25- The skin, like the body, has its own metabolism
Would you say you have a fast or slow metabolism?
The skin also has a lot to say here, since the skin's metabolic processes slow down with age and also with exposure to UV rays , which can cause signs of premature aging.
26- There are 200 types of fungi living on your feet
US scientists have discovered that people have nearly 200 types of fungi colonizing their feet.
Yes, we know what you're thinking…
27- 1 in every 20,000 people is albino
According to the United Nations, only 1 in 20,000 people suffer from albinism in North America and Europe.
It is a rare genetic condition that reduces or prevents the production of melanin , the pigment responsible for the color of the skin, hair and eyes.
For this reason, people with albinism have skin that is much more sensitive to the sun and require especially high sun protection throughout the year.