Dr. Soyoun Koo returns to KBS's Morning of the World

On KBS's Morning of the World, Dr. Soyoun Koo of Dong-An Joongsim Clinic discussed the causes and treatment of dry skin. She explained that dryness develops when the stratum corneum, the skin's outermost layer, loses moisture. Although it appears to be a single layer, she described it as consisting of dozens of layers and holding five to six times its weight in water, helping to keep skin soft. When moisture is lost, the skin can crack like dry ground and develop fine flakes; more severe dryness may cause intense itching. She noted that around 20% of older adults experience itching from dry skin, though younger people can also be affected. She emphasized that dryness reflects a shortage of water, not simply a lack of oil, and that maintaining moisture in the skin and its surroundings is essential. Her advice covered several steps: bathe in lukewarm water close to body temperature, avoid soap where possible and use a mild cleanser only where needed, consider bath oil, and avoid abrasive scrubbing cloths. After bathing, pat the skin so it remains slightly damp and apply petroleum jelly or another moisturizer over the body to help retain moisture. She also advised avoiding irritating fabrics such as wool, keeping rooms comfortably cool with humidity of at least 50%, and resisting scratching, which can irritate the skin and lead to bacterial infection.