basal layer

The basal layer, also called the stratum basale, is the bottom-most part of the outer skin layer (epidermis). It consists of a single row of cells that continually divide to produce new skin cells. These new cells move upward, eventually becoming the outer protective layer. The basal layer also contains pigment-producing cells called melanocytes, which give skin its color, and cells that help anchor the skin to the underlying tissues. This layer is essential for skin growth, repair, and maintaining a barrier against environmental factors.