Main cell type in epidermis; produces keratin.

Prepare for the VTCT Level 2 Facial and Skincare Test. Revise with flashcards and multiple choice questions, accompanied by insightful explanations. Ace your assessment with confidence!

The main concept here is understanding which cell type dominates the epidermis and drives its protective function. Keratinocytes are the primary cells in the epidermis and are responsible for producing keratin, the tough protein that forms the structural and waterproof barrier of the skin. They arise in the deepest layer, the stratum basale, divide, and then move upward through the epidermal layers, maturing as they go. As they rise, they synthesize increasing amounts of keratin and gradually flatten, eventually becoming the dead, keratin-rich cells of the stratum corneum that provide resilience against abrasion and water loss. Other cells in the epidermis, like melanocytes, produce pigment; Langerhans cells participate in immune defense; and desmosomes are junctions that help keratinocytes stick together. However, none of these are the primary keratin-producing cell type, which is fulfilled by the keratinocyte.