by Diana L. Howard, Ph.D. Like other organs in the human body, water is the primary component of the skin. Over time and with physiological changes and exposure to the environment, we often find the moisture content of the skin declines resulting in dry skin. Dry skin can be so mild we hardly notice it or so severe it leads to a breakdown in the skin structure and integrity. It may manifest itself in many forms, from a dull, gray-white skin discoloration to dry, rough, scaly patches with cracks or fissures that can cause burning and stinging. When left untreated, the condition invariably worsens. As water continues to be lost from the skin, the skin deteriorates further with a loss of corneocyte cohesion causing increased cell detachment and scaling or flakiness. To the touch, the skin may feel rough with reduced elasticity. The latter is due to the fact that water helps maintain skin pliability and elasticity. Think of a dry kitchen sponge that is hard to the touch, with little elasticity. Once you wet that sponge it becomes extremely pliable enabling you to twist it into almost any shape you like. Read More