Skin as the largest organ of the body is also one of the most vulnerable to abuse.

Approximately 30% of adults have dry skin which often appears rough, tight, dull in color - with visible fine lines and wrinkles. Although there are several factors that result in dry skin - including the genetic ones - this can be greatly caused by environmental factors (wind, sun, heat).

So, the question is how to treat dry skin properly to significantly improve its look and its condition as well.

- Reduce the frequency of washing

Did you know that washing by its definition is actually - drying ?

Washing removes the surface lipid film, along with environmental contaminants, sweat, sebum, peeled cells, and microorganisms.

Thus people with dry skin need to reduce the frequency of washing and - lubricate the skin afterwards.

- Avoid soaps

The alkalinity of soaps disturbs the normal acidity (acid mantle) of the skin thus leading to dryness.

Therefore people with dry and sensitive skin should use a soap-free cleanser. There are a number of synthetic detergents available that clean as well as soaps but are adjusted so that they do not alter the skin surface pH.

Some are combined with oils so that they lubricate the skin as they wash. Nonetheless, if one washes too often, dryness can also results with these products.

It is very important to have a skin care regime that you follow daily.

- Apply creamy cleansers

Accurate cleaning may increase the tenderness and smoothness of your skin, so...

...choose a creamy cleanser and leave it on for at least ten minutes when cleaning dry skin. Let your skin soak up some nourishment before sweeping it away with cotton pad !

Splash your face with cool water to remove redundant cleanser and to refresh your skin, then put on a nourishing cream to seal moisture into the upper levels of your skin. Personally, I don't recommend tonic for dry skin even if it doesn't content the alcohol.

Use a thick cream as this contains more oil than water and will help seal in more moisture. Apply it to slightly wet skin thus sealing in extra moisture. This results in softer and smoother skin.

- Change your products according to the seasons

Extremes of cold and hot weather as well as central heating and air-conditioning can strip your skin of essential moisture, leaving it dry and more prone to damage.

For this reason you should change your products according to the seasons. Leave your moisturizing mask on skin for 5 -10 minutes. It works quickly and it is a great treat, particularly after sunbathing, or when your skin feels tight. Better yet - it can even remove dry patches, flakiness and fine wrinkles.

Naturally, skin care does not stop at your neck. To maintain a beautiful body you should lavish the same care on it as you do on your complexion.

- Use oils for bathing

If your skin is naturally dry, the best way to re-hydrate your dry skin is - bathing.

However, when the skin is toweled dry and left open to the atmosphere, water exhales from the surface of the skin and your skin becomes dry again. That's why bathing by itself is not enough - the exogenous water introduced into the skin must stay kept there.

Bath oils contain vegetable or mineral oils and can be very useful for use in the bath or shower.

Thus either add to the bathwater as it is running an egg-cupful of the oil or after taking the shower apply the oil directly to the skin and then rinse it off before drying.

Also apply further moisturizers to the skin either before or after drying after a bath.

References:

Chu T, Munn S, Acland ,Darvay A.Eczema. Current issues in Dermatology. Maxim Medical, The Oxford Science Park,1998

Fitzpatrick TB,Eisen AZ,Wolff K,Freedberg IM,Austen K.Dermatology in General Medicine.3.edition.New York: Mc Graw-Hill,1987

Maja Gabric Zirkelbach, a dermatologist, MD