Hello, I understand and appreciate your good concern for your friend s dry skin problem. As your friend is in her forties so it is quite likely to get such kind of dry skin changes. She is into her peri-menopausal phase where there is change of hormones as well as more changes in the hormones are present. All these changes are related to less activity of oil and sweat glands leading to dryness of skin. In my patients I suggest to apply an emollient cream along with humectant cream multiple times a day. If there are cuts or fissure then proper therapy is required under dermatological guidance. All the best.