Dry skin conditions

This bath oil contains soya oil. It is added to the bath water to moisturise dry skin. It works by providing a layer of oil on the surface of the skin to prevent water evaporating from the skin surface.

The oil also contains polyoxyethylene lauryl ether, oleic acid diethanolamide, perfume oil DV5171, propylene glycol, butylated hydroxytoluene, ascorbyl palmitate and citric acid monohydrate.

Dry skin results from lack of water in the outer layer of skin cells known as the stratum corneum. When this layer becomes dehydrated it loses its flexibility and becomes cracked, scaly and sometimes itchy. The stratum corneum contains natural water-holding substances that retain water seeping up from the deeper layers of the skin, and water is also normally retained in the stratum corneum by a surface film of natural oil (sebum) and broken-down skin cells, which slow down evaporation of water from the skin surface.

The skin dries out when too much water evaporates from its surface. This increases as we get older, and is made worse by washing, because hot water and soap remove the layer of natural oil on the skin surface.

Moisturising bath oils are useful for dry skin conditions, such as eczema and dermatitis, which get worse when the skin is allowed to dry out. Used regularly, moisturisers and moisturising bath oils help restore the skin's smoothness, softness and flexibility by replacing lost