Hydrate dry skin with skin moisturizers

    The lipids of the epidermis play a vital role in healthy normal skin, as they help the stratum corneum to regulate natural water loss. If they are removed by harsh soaps or detergents, or by damage such as a burn, the skin loses some or all of its ability to retain water, becomes dry and will start to break down.
    The epidermis also contains natural enzymes, which are important for getting rid of old skin cells. Enzymes need moisture in which to work, so dryness (desiccation) of the stratum corneum worsens dry and unhealthy looking skin.
    The pictures (below) of skin from the palm of the hand illustrate how the condition of the stratum corneum can vary. One is dry and the stratum corneum is not well hydrated: the other has been moisturized and the layer is now healthy. The same can be true of the skin of the face.

Parched, dry skin on the hands...

...can be improved by treating with moisturizer.

Here's a face in desperate need of our best facial moisturizer:

Seen still more closely, facial skin can be equally dry (as seen here)...

...but its surface can be smoothed out with a good moisturizer.