Skin

• Type: Potion Ingredient, Magical Material, Biological Tissue
• Source Creatures: Humans, Dragons, Snakes (Boomslang), Graphorns, Salamanders, Erklings

Skin, as a biological material, varies widely depending on its creature of origin. In the wizarding world, the skin of magical creatures is often harvested for its inherent magical properties, primarily for use in Potions and the creation of protective garments.

• Boomslang Skin: This is the shed skin of the Boomslang, a magical serpent native to Africa. It is a crucial and controlled ingredient in the brewing of Polyjuice Potion. It is typically used in a shredded form.
• Dragon Hide: The skin of a dragon is exceptionally thick and durable, providing near-impenetrable protection against many spells and physical attacks. It is used to make high-quality protective gear, including gloves, boots, jackets, and shields. The hide of a Hungarian Horntail, for example, is covered in black scales and is tough enough to repel most minor-to-moderate spells.
• Graphorn Hide: Even tougher than dragon hide, Graphorn hide is known to repel most curses and jinxes, making it an incredibly valuable and rare protective material. (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them)
• Human Skin: While not typically used as a raw material, a “bit of the person” is required for the Polyjuice Potion, which can include hair, fingernails, or skin. Furthermore, human skin is the canvas for magical marks, such as the Dark Mark, and can be permanently altered or scarred by certain forms of Dark Magic.

The magical applications of skin are diverse, ranging from potent Potion-making to formidable magical defense.

• As a Potion Ingredient:
  • The most significant use of skin in Potions is that of the shredded Boomslang skin for the Polyjuice Potion. Without it, this powerful Transfiguration potion cannot be brewed. Hermione Granger successfully stole this ingredient from Professor Snape's private stores in her second year.
  • Salamander blood and skin are known to have restorative and healing properties, particularly related to fire. (video game)
• As a Protective Material:
  • Dragon hide is one of the most common and effective magical materials for protective clothing. Wizards who work with dragons, like Charlie Weasley and his colleagues, wear dragon-hide clothing for protection. Hagrid owns a dragon-hide trench coat, and Horace Slughorn carried a bag made of the material. During the First Task of the Triwizard Tournament, Harry Potter observed that the Stunning Spells cast by the dragon-keepers simply bounced off the hide of the Hungarian Horntail.
• As a Target of Magic:
  • The Dark Mark: The skin of a Death Eater's inner left forearm is branded with the Dark Mark by Lord Voldemort. This magical mark serves as a symbol of allegiance and a communication device, burning and turning black when Voldemort touches one mark to summon his followers.
  • Magical Scarring: Certain powerful or dark curses can leave permanent scars that are more than simple skin blemishes. Harry Potter's lightning-bolt scar tingled or burned in proximity to Lord Voldemort, and the words “I must not tell lies,” carved into the back of his hand by Dolores Umbridge's Black Quill, remained as faint, permanent scarring.
  • Magical Tattoos: Wizards are known to have animated tattoos, suggesting that ink and skin can be enchanted to display moving images. (film)

The properties of skin, both human and creature, are central to several key plot points throughout the series.

• In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the need for Boomslang skin drives Hermione Granger to steal from Snape's stores, enabling the trio to brew Polyjuice Potion and infiltrate the Slytherin common room in their search for the Heir of Slytherin.
• In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the near-invulnerability of dragon hide is highlighted during the First Task, establishing the immense power and danger of the creatures Harry must face.
• In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the magical scarring on Harry's hand from the Black Quill serves as a constant, physical reminder of the cruelty and injustice of Dolores Umbridge's regime at Hogwarts.
• In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Polyjuice Potion, and by extension Boomslang skin, is used extensively. It facilitates the Battle of the Seven Potters and allows Harry, Ron, and Hermione to infiltrate the Ministry of Magic and later Gringotts. The Dark Mark on the skin of Death Eaters functions as a critical plot device for their organization and summons.