The purpose of this study was to examine the skin hydration and life style of Japanese and Korean women. I used a Moisture checker to measure the hydration status of 2 facial spots, on the forehead and cheek of the face, and on the upper arm in each of the seasons from 2002 to 2003. The results were analyzed by using a three-factor (nationality, site and season) analysis of variance (3-way ANOVA), and post hoc analysis was performed using a Scheffe multiple-comparison test. The level of statistical significance was set at p<0.05. The results were as follows: 1) The Japanese showed a higher hydration than the Korean women in spring and a lower hydration in summer on their faces. On the seasonal changes, there was a significant difference between Japanese and Korean women on their faces. The Japanese showed significantly higher hydration in fall than in other seasons. On the other hand, Koreans showed higher hydration in summer and lower hydration in spring. 2) The Japanese women showed a lower hydration than the Koreans in fall and winter on their upper arm. On the seasonal changes, there was no significant difference between the Japanese and Korean women. Both the Japanese and Korean women showed the highest hydration in summer and the lowest hydration in winter.
