(NewsUSA) - Dry, itchy skin affects more than 80 percent of Americans and can be most prevalent during the cold winter months - when humidity and temperature drop - making skin particularly vulnerable to dryness and cracking.

"Frigid temperatures and low humidity can contribute to dry, winter skin," says New York City dermatologist Dr. Diane Berson. "It is important to take extra special care of skin during the winter, especially for those with sensitive skin. People with sensitive skin should look for products without dyes or fragrances."

If you have a problem with dry skin, Berson recommends that you consider the following:

* What personal care products do you use? Sensitivity to fragrances and dyes commonly found in soaps, lotions and even deodorants can be a frequent cause of skin irritation. Look for personal care products specially formulated for sensitive skin that are hypoallergenic and free of dyes and perfumes, such as all(r) Free Clear laundry detergent, the No.1 dermatologist and allergist recommended detergent for people with sensitive skin.

* Make the switch. As the temperature dips, your skin craves more moisture. Remember to replace lightweight summer lotion with lotions that have a higher concentration of emollients (lipids), which help skin seal in and retain moisture.

* Get vapor relief. Cranking up the thermostat in winter creates more dry heat, which can leave skin parched and lead to itchiness. Use a vaporizer, which produces hot steam, or humidifier, which produces cool mist, to add moisture to the air. Be sure to thoroughly clean and disinfect humidifiers regularly to prevent harmful particles from building up. This is especially important for people with mold allergies.

* Keep it cool. Chilly winters may make a long hot shower or bath sound enticing, but hot water can actually wash away skin's natural oils, leaving it extra dry and itchy. Instead, take warm showers and pat skin dry. To lock in moisture, apply body lotions containing ingredients like petrolatum and glycerin which work to keep skin hydrated.

Since 1916, when Johann Schatz and Alessandra Cattani set up their first hydrotherapy clinic on the Austro-Italian border, their Bath and Body Oils have been doing their part to improve the well-being of many. Slip into the silky waters of a warm bath enhanced with one of their oils and experience the holistic power that is unleashed there.

There is nothing like coming home from a stressful day at work to a wonderfully fragrant warm bath that invites you into a world of relaxation, revitalization and refreshment. Simply adding a few drops of aromatic bath oil into the water creates a haven for your mind, body and spirit.

The Schatz and Cattani Spa line of Bath and Body Oils offers a variety of mood-enhancing fragrances for you to choose from. Their oils are so beautifully packaged that you could line up each of their six fragrances on a shelf in your bathroom to add aesthetic elegance to the room.

The simple, but chic, clear glass bottles are graced with hand finished touches that enhance the value of the oil itself. Having all six oils available allows you to choose a fragrance depending on both the mood that you’re in and the mood that you aspire to on any given day.

After a particularly stressful day at the office, followed by an even worse drive home, slipping into a warm bath and surrounding yourself with silky water and the sweet aroma of Pear-Freesia will transport you to a world where tension and stress do not exist! Your skin will feel supple and smooth, your mind will be free of care and your spirit will feel reborn! Or fill your tub with the energizing fragrance of Citrus or Green Apple Oil and clear your mind for your evening’s activities.

If you’re feeling sensuous, enhance the feeling by adding a few drops of Rose Oil to the tub and let the silky water caress your body as the scent of roses caresses your spirit. Massage some of the oil on your moist skin before you dry off and you’ll carry the mysterious fragrance with you throughout the night. Roses have a long history of romance and the sultry scent of your skin will have history repeating itself!

Sweet Almond Oil is the perfect choice when your skin is feeling rough and dry. With its anti-aging properties, Sweet Almond Oil will hydrate your skin and provide superior moisture retention than some of the other oils.

On late nights, when you find sleep eluding you, ease into a warm bath enhanced with aromatic Lavender Oil and your insomnia will gently fade away. Or rub a drop of Lavender Oil on your temples and behind your ears and you’ll find yourself slipping away into a land of sweet dreams.

Whatever oil you choose, you can be assured that the natural ingredients will soften your skin and lighten your mood. Bath time will never be quite the same again and you will have a new definition for the word luxury -- Schatz and Cattani Spa’s Classic Bath and Body Oil.