The skin is mainly made up of two layers: the dermis, which is the inner layer of the skin, and the epidermis, which is the outer layer.

The dermis, made up primarily of connective tissue, contains sweat glands, fatty tissue, nerve follicles and oil glands. Epidermal cells provide the protective, waterproof covering for the body. The layer of the epidermis, called the stratum corneum, is made up of dead cells and forms the very top part of the skin.