Skin care is an essential part of most people’s daily routine. It involves washing the skin to remove dirt and oils and keeping it properly moisturized, as well as avoiding soaps and cosmetics that may irritate the skin.

Basic maintenance of the skin is important because it keeps the skin healthy and protects it from damage. It also contributes to the prevention of a number of skin conditions, including dryness, wrinkles, liver spots and skin cancer.

Bathing is an essential component of good hygiene. However, it can cause drying and irritation of the skin. To minimize dryness, people can take a number of steps including limiting the frequency of bathing, limiting bathing time and using the appropriate types of soap.

People may also choose to use a moisturizer as a part of their skin care routine. Moisturizers lock in moisture by creating a seal over the skin, ultimately preventing water from escaping, or by slowly releasing water into the skin. Moisturizers should be applied to the skin immediately after bathing.

Many people experience drier skin during cold weather. As a result, additional skin care steps may be necessary during the winter. These may include using a humidifier (a device that supplies or maintains humidity), as well as wearing gloves, scarves and hats to protect areas of exposed skin.

Certain lifestyle changes can also benefit the skin. For example, eating a healthy diet, exercising, getting plenty of sleep and protecting the skin from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation can improve the health and appearance of the skin.

The skin is the largest organ of the body, and has many important functions. For instance, it prevents infectious agents from entering the body, shields internal structures from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, protects the body from injury and regulates body temperature. It is also a major component of a person’s appearance. To remain healthy and looking its best, the skin requires regular care. 

Proper skin care involves washing the skin to remove dirt, sweat and oils, maintaining proper hydration (e.g., using a moisturizer and bath oils), and avoiding products that cause irritation (e.g., harsh soaps, perfumes). Skin care is required for good hygiene. It also contributes to the prevention of a number of skin conditions, including dryness, wrinkles, liver spots and skin cancer.

In addition to maintaining a daily skin care routine, good skin care also involves seeking medical care when necessary. People with skin problems such as rashes, itchiness (pruritus) or growths should seek medical treatment from a dermatologist soon after the condition develops. Dermatologists are physicians that specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions of the skin, mouth, hair, nails and external genitalia. 

Dermatologists can also recommend which products are best for different types of skin. What works well for dry skin may not be recommended for people with oily skin. People with certain conditions (e.g., acne, eczema) may also require certain types of soaps, moisturizers or other types of skin products.

Bathing is an essential component of good hygiene. It can cause drying and irritation, however, because it removes the skin’s natural oils. Steps to minimize dryness include:

• Bathe only once a day. In general, a daily bath or shower is all that is needed to maintain good hygiene. People with dry skin (skin lacking water) may benefit from bathing every other day. People with oily skin (skin containing excess amounts of oil), on the other hand, may benefit from bathing two times a day. In addition, people who perspire a lot, such as those who exercise regularly or live in warm or humid climates, may benefit from more frequent bathing.
  
  
• Avoid using hot water. Hot water removes additional oil during bathing. People are advised to bath in warm water instead.
  
  
• Limit bath time. Long showers and baths result in additional oil loss. People should keep their bathing time to 10 minutes or less.
  
  
• Use appropriate soaps. Choose mild, superfatted soaps (soaps that have added oils and fats). People may also benefit from using a soap substitute, such as products containing a mild synthetic detergent, or an oil mixed with a wetting agent (surfactant). These products often have less of a drying effect than deodorant or antibacterial soaps. People with sensitive skin (skin that is easily irritated) may benefit from using fragrance-free soaps or soap-free cleansers.
  
  
• Use bath oils. Bath oils are very moisturizing. As a result, adding them to a bath may help prevent dryness.
  
  
• Use soap only on certain areas. People with dry or sensitive skin may reduce dryness by using soap only on their face, underarms, genital area, hands and feet.
  
  
• Pat dry. After thoroughly rinsing the soap off, use a towel to gently pat or blot the skin dry. This will allow some moisture to remain on the skin.
  
  
• Use a moisturizer. Apply a moisturizer to the skin immediately after drying off.

A number of factors deplete the natural moisture level in the skin, including the environment, sun exposure and a person’s lifestyle. Available in the form of creams, ointments and lotions, moisturizers help people retain skin moisture. Ointments retain the most amount of moisture and lotions retain the least. Petroleum jelly can also be used.

Moisturizers lock in moisture by creating a seal over the skin, ultimately preventing water from escaping, or by slowly releasing water into the skin.

Tips for using moisturizers include:

• Apply moisturizer immediately after bathing. Moisturizing the skin immediately after taking a bath or shower helps by trapping water in the upper layers of the skin. People with extremely dry skin (skin lacking water) may also benefit from applying baby oil or another form of oil to their skin. Oils, which last longer than moisturizers, prevent water from evaporating from the surface of the skin.
  
  
• Use a moisturizer that is appropriate for skin type. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends the following moisturizer/skin condition combinations:
  
  

  Skin Condition	Moisturizer
  Normal or hairy	Lotions
  Greasy/oily/ acne-prone	Non-comedogenic, very light lotions
  Dry/sensitive	Thicker lotions, creams
  Eczema-prone/ ichthyosis	Creams, greasier ointments, petroleum jelly

People with sensitive skin (skin that is easily irritated) may also benefit from choosing moisturizing products that are free of additives such as dyes or perfumes. People with oily skin (skin containing excess amounts of oil) may benefit from not moisturizing at all.

• Use a moisturizer that offers sun protection. Using a moisturizer with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 can help protect the skin from the damaging effects of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. Sunscreen-containing moisturizers should be applied to the face, neck, top of the hands and arms daily, regardless of the season.

Many people develop drier skin during the winter months. Cold temperatures, low humidity, winds and indoor heat can lead to skin that is dry, flaky, scaly, cracked or irritated.

There are a number of steps a person can take to prevent their skin from drying out during cold weather, including:

• Use a humidifier. Hot, dry indoor air can cause or aggravate dry skin. Using a humidifier, a device that supplies or maintains humidity, can help combat low humidity. The moisture level of a home should be kept at 40 to 50 percent. People may also benefit from keeping the temperature of their house between 68 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (20 and 24 degrees Celsius).
  
  
• Avoid excessive bathing. Bathing more than necessary can trigger dryness or worsen skin that already dry.
  
  
• Avoid harsh soaps. Harsh soaps can cause dryness or aggravate dry skin.
  
  
• Cover areas of exposed skin. When outdoors, wear gloves, scarves and hats to protect areas of exposed skin.
  
  
• Protect the lips. Applying lip balm or petroleum jelly to the lips can help prevent the lips from chapping.

In addition to bathing and using the proper soaps and moisturizers, there are a number of lifestyle choices a person can make to improve the health and appearance of their skin.

Performing skin self-examinations regularly can help to monitor the skin for any unusual changes. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, a self-examination should be performed once a month. All areas of the skin should be examined, including the face, buttocks, scalp, back, genitals and the bottom of the feet.

A skin self-examination includes:

• Examining the whole body in a well–lit room in front of a full-length mirror.
  
  
• Looking for new skin markings (e.g., blemishes, colorations, bumps, moles).
  
  
• Looking for moles that have changed in size (i.e., growing rapidly), texture, color and/or shape.
  
  
• Looking for moles that have ragged edges or lack symmetry.
  
  
• Looking for lesions that will not heal or that bleed.

Moles that itch, and any scaly or crusty growths, are also a cause for concern. Patients that find any of these markings or changes should immediately consult a dermatologist. 

Patients may benefit from choosing a specific day (e.g., the first of the month, the day they pay bills) to perform their self-exam. Individuals can ask a friend or family member to check their scalp and other hard-to-view areas. If necessary, a blowdryer can also be used to move the hair, making it easier to inspect the scalp.

Other lifestyle tips for healthier skin include:

• Eat a healthy diet. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains will provide the body with the protein, vitamins and minerals it needs for optimum skin health. People should also maintain hydration by drinking plenty of water (approximately eight 8-ounce glasses daily).
  
  
• Consume omega-3s (essential fatty acids). Omega-3s help to keep the skin soft and supple. The body does not produce omega-3s. As a result, people need to obtain the fatty acids through their diet or through supplements. Sources of omega-3s include salmon and salmon oil, flaxseeds and flaxseed oil, walnuts, soybean oil and canola oil. Some dark green, leafy vegetables, such as spinach, kale and broccoli, contain omega-3s, but to a much lesser extent.
  
  
• Regular exercise. Physical activity improves blood circulation. As a result, exercising for approximately 30 minutes on most days of the week can improve the color and tone of the skin.
  
  
• Get plenty of sleep. People who do not sleep enough may develop a puffy, dull or sickly complexion.
  
  
• Avoid smoking. Smoking can cause premature aging of the facial skin.
  
  
• Protect the skin from the sun. In addition to increasing the risk of skin cancer, unprotected exposure to the sun can cause the skin to sunburn, become blotchy, leathery and wrinkled. Regardless of whether a person has a light or dark skin color, people should use sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and limit sun exposure.

It is also important for people to wash their hands frequently. Contact with different surfaces throughout the day allows bacteria and viruses to accumulate on the hands. These microbes can easily be spread from the hands to the eyes, mouth and nose, where they can gain entrance into the body. Hand washing is a simple way to prevent the spread of many illnesses, including colds, influenza and gastrointestinal disorders.

Warm water and mild soap should be used to lather both the front and back of the hands, as well as the wrists, the areas between the fingers and under the nails. The hands should be lathered up for about 10 to 15 seconds. The skin should then be thoroughly rinsed, to remove all traces of the soap, and dried with a clean towel.

People should wash their hands several times a day, especially:

• Before eating
• Before and after preparing food
• After using the bathroom
• After changing a diaper
• After coughing, blowing the nose or sneezing
• After touching an animal or animal waste
• After spending time outside (e.g., playing, gardening)
• After visiting a person who is sick
• Before and after treating cuts and other wounds
• After handling garbage
• Before touching the eyes to insert or remove contact lenses

People can also use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to clean their hands when soap and water is not available.

Preparing questions in advance can help patients to have more meaningful discussions with their physicians regarding their conditions. Patients may wish to ask their doctor the following skin care-related questions:

1. How often should I wash my face?
   
   
2. How often should I bathe?
   
   
3. What type of skin do I have?
   
   
4. What is the best type of soap for my skin type?
   
   
5. What is the best type of moisturizer for my skin type?
   
   
6. What steps can I take to combat dry skin during the winter?
   
   
7. What lifestyle changes can I make to improve the appearance of my skin?
   
   
8. What is the proper way to perform a skin self-examination? How often should I examine myself?
   
   
9. When should I seek medical treatment from a dermatologist?
   
   
10. Would I benefit from the use of bath oils?
    
    
11. Should my skin care regimen change as I age?