[Doctor's Interview] Secrets to maintaining skin that doesn't dry out, which can cause itching and other skin problems.

​Body care for dry skin

Please tell me about skincare methods for when my skin feels dry.

"The basic principle is to apply a moisturizer. You can buy them at drugstores, and I think it's best to choose one that you find easy to apply, such as body cream, body milk, or body lotion."

Please tell me about bathing care methods.

"Avoid bathing or showering in water above 43℃. High-temperature water can strip away too much sebum and other natural oils, leading to dry skin."

When you feel itchy, you might be tempted to scrub vigorously with a nylon towel, but this will only make the itching worse. We recommend washing with your hands.

Also, different parts of the body are more prone to dryness than others. For areas like the soles of your feet, your back, chest, and genitals (which have many sebaceous glands), it's best to use a cleanser. For areas prone to dryness, simply rinsing with warm water without a cleanser is recommended.

Which parts of the body tend to get dry easily?

"The arms, lower legs, waist, and shoulders are areas prone to dryness. Many people develop asteatotic eczema from dryness in these areas, so it's especially important to moisturize these areas."

Could you please tell me about ways to care for a dry scalp?

"Shampoo contains surfactants, so it's important to rinse it thoroughly. Also, avoid scrubbing your scalp with your fingernails. There are also moisturizing lotions for the scalp available commercially, so using those can be effective."

Please tell me about pre-sleep skincare routines.

"Ideally, it's best to moisturize twice a day. However, it's difficult to keep that up every day. If you're concerned about dryness, it's a good idea to apply moisturizer thoroughly at least once a day, such as after bathing."

Please tell me about methods for caring for babies and the elderly.

"Children up to puberty and the elderly tend to have very dry skin, so it's a good idea to focus on moisturizing their entire body. The methods of moisturizing care themselves don't particularly change with age."

​Skincare for dry skin

Could you please tell me the key points of cleansing?

"It's important not to rub your skin. Rubbing too hard with a small amount of cleanser can damage your skin, so take the recommended amount, spread it in your hands, and then gently cleanse your face."

Could you please tell me some tips for washing my face?

"If you have dry skin, it's important to wash your face in a way that suits your skin condition and the area you're washing it on, such as washing your face with only lukewarm water in the morning, or applying a cleanser only to the areas prone to oiliness, like your nose and chin."

Furthermore, it's important to follow the basics, such as not scrubbing vigorously, not rinsing with hot water, and gently patting your face dry with a soft towel after washing.

Could you please tell me the key points for moisturizing skincare?

"Everyone's skin is completely different, so the key points of moisturizing care vary from person to person. Skincare products that others use may not necessarily be suitable for you. It's important to choose products that are right for you, taking into account your skin condition and age."

Also, if you're a man and you're concerned about dryness, be sure to use moisturizing skincare products. Shaving, in particular, damages the stratum corneum of the skin, so care is necessary.

Could you tell me some tips for base makeup?

"Apply plenty of moisturizer to hydrate your skin before applying makeup. Some sunscreens can dry out the skin, but recently, sunscreens with moisturizing effects have become available. Using a facial mist when touching up your makeup is also effective."

Daily measures to combat dryness

Please tell me about dry skin care methods other than skincare.

"Be mindful of humidity levels to prevent the air in your room from becoming too dry. In airtight homes, the air inevitably becomes dry when the heating is on, so try to maintain humidity by using a humidifier or hanging a damp towel."

However, more humidification isn't always better. If you go from a room that's been humidified to the point of condensation to a completely dry outside environment, the difference in humidity can put a great strain on your skin. Therefore, moderate humidification is important.

Also, electric blankets and heated tables (kotatsu) can easily dry out your skin, so you need to be careful about how long you use them.