Which protein provides durability to skin, hair, and nails?

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!

Durability in skin, hair, and nails comes from keratin, a tough, fibrous protein that gives structural strength. In the skin, keratinocytes produce and fill with keratin as they move toward the surface, undergoing keratinization to form a hard, protective outer layer. Hair and nails are predominantly made of keratin, with hair having a type called hard keratin that has more cross-linking (disulfide bonds) to make it especially strong. This protein’s resilient structure helps resist mechanical damage and reduces water loss, contributing to the overall durability of the protective coverings. Adipose tissue is fat and doesn’t provide structural durability; mitosis is the process of cell division; the basal membrane is a supportive layer, not the durable protein itself. Keratin best explains the durability observed in skin, hair, and nails.