Guarding against dry skin

With age, oil glands become less active. Your skin is less able to replenish the oils and fluids removed by soap and water. To guard against the drying effects of bathing, try these tips:

�  Limit frequency

Bathing once a day or every other day is sufficient for most people.

�  Limit time and temperature

Use warm (not hot) water for a maximum of 15 minutes.

�  Select soaps carefully

Choose superfatted, nonsudsing soaps that clean without removing natural oil. This includes brands such as Basis, Purpose and others. Soap substitutes in bar, gel and liquid forms are less drying than are deodorant and antibacterial soaps.

�  Limit use of soap

Limit use of soap to your face, underarms, genital areas, hands and feet. Using clear water on the other areas of your body cleans adequately most of the time.

�  Pat dry, don't rub

When toweling dry, pat your skin gently. Or brush your skin rapidly with the palms of your hands.

�  Seal in moisture

While still damp, lubricate your skin with an oil or cream, especially on your legs, arms, back and sides. A heavy moisturizer (water-in-oil formula) is longer lasting than a light cream that contains more water than oil (oil-in-water formula).