Dry skin : Specific features in chinese women

Dry skin, a very common complaint in China, has not been extensively investigated in Asia. Thus we conducted a multicentric study, involving 1800 Chinese women from 5 cities with a view to determine the prevalence and specific factors related to dry skin. Skin type self-assessment, environmental factors and cosmetic use were recorded using a questionnaire. In addition a clinical evaluation and measurement of skin capacitance and sebaceous follicles activity were performed by trained dermatologists. The skin typology as defined by a multiple correspondence analysis of the self -assessed skin type resulted in a prevalence of dry skin of 30.8%. Women with self-assessed dry skin were clinically characterized by presence of skin scales on forehead, cheeks and lips and by a lower sebum excretion level (Sebumeter®) but no lower hydration level (Corneometer®). Self-assessed dry skin was found to be associated with: non-seborrheic skin, facial tightness discomfort and dry lips. Two factors appear to be linked with the pathogenesis of dry skin condition: (i) climate, as demonstrated by a higher prevalence of dry skin in Harbin, a northern Chinese city; (ii) use of water or soap only as face cleansing product.