Skin care is a fundamental aspect of basic nursing care, with the outcome of these interventions often used to gauge the quality of the care provided. However, possibly as a result of the 'basic' nature of this aspect of care, little attention has been paid to developing a firm evidence base to guide decision-making in this area. This is compounded by the wide variety of products now available, ranging from simple cleansers and moisturizers, to more complex agents that cleanse, moisturize and protect all in one, which adds to the confusion. This article explores the basic principles of skin care, and considers the evidence available to support the nursing interventions used, and the range of products available. Finally it suggests the adoption of clear skin care protocols, and recommends actions that should form part of these.