Healthy, normal skin should be regularly washed with lukewarm water and soap that is mild. Doing so, helps in removing perspiration, grease, and dirt. For those with a limited water supply or inadequate bath and shower facilities, sponge bath are a good substitute if the sponge or washcloth is thoroughly rinsed as various parts of the body are washed.

Many people prefer a shower than a bath because showering washes away the dirt as opposed to bathing because the bath water catches the dirt which makes it less effective in cleaning the body.

No matter what method is used, all soap should be thoroughly rinsed off the skin after washing. Unless told by a physician, medicated soaps or those advertised as germicidal should not be used, since they may be an irritant. Skin should be dried with a fluffy towel, and use only your own bath towel. Hands should be cleansed frequently in a day, and fingernails kept tidy.

Facial skin requires special care because of its constant exposure. The face should be cleaned both before you head to sleep and once again when you wake up in the morning. Some women may prefer to use a cleansing cream rather than soap and water. However everyone to avoid drying of the skin should not massage regular soap directly into their skin.

Dry skin is a condition resulting from the loss of moisture from the outer surface of the skin and its inability to replace lost moisture. Some causes of the moisture loss are harsh soaps and constant exposure to dry air. Office workers who spend time in the day in an air-conditioned environment are more prone to dry skin.

To correct the condition, the use of soap and water should be kept to a minimum for those parts of the body where the skin is dry. Cleansing creams or lotions containing lanolin should be used on all areas of your skin where dryness and aging show first. Typically these problem areas are the face, hands, and other areas like the elbows. If tub baths are taken, bath oil can be used in the water or applied to the skin after drying.

Baby oil is just as effective and much cheaper than glamorously packaged and overadvertised products. Baby oil or a protective lotion should also be used o any parts of the body exposed to direct sunlight for ant extended length of time. Applying oil to the skin will not however, prevent wrinkles.

Heredity, emotional condition and environmental temperature all contribute to the amount of oil that surfaces on the skin via the sebaceous glands. In warm weather, when the skin perspires more freely, the oil spreads thinly across the skin surface. Non-oily foundation lotions and washing of soap and water can decrease the spread of oil.

When washing is inconvenient during the day, cleansing pads packaged to fit in pocket or purse are a quick and efficient solution for both men and women.