Which layer of skin has the most dead skin cells?

The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin and is primarily composed of keratinized cells, many of which are dead. This layer serves as a protective barrier for the underlying layers, preventing moisture loss and protecting against environmental damage. As skin cells in the epidermis move outward from the deeper layers to the surface, they undergo a process called keratinization, where they become increasingly filled with keratin, a hard protein. This process eventually leads to the formation of a layer of dead skin cells that forms the stratum corneum, which is crucial for providing a tough, protective barrier.

In contrast, the dermis contains connective tissue, blood vessels, and hair follicles, but does not have high concentrations of dead cells. The hypodermis (subcutaneous layer) primarily contains fat and connective tissue, serving as insulation and cushioning, and also lacks dead skin cells in significant quantities. Therefore, the epidermis is the correct answer as it has the most dead skin cells compared to other layers of the skin.