IT USUALLY STARTS in late October or early November. I take out my trash, retrieve non-perishable grocery items stored in the trunk of my car, and drive my electric cart outside for a bit to enjoy the fresh air, wind, and trees. In a matter of time, sometimes days or weeks, I notice it. Every part of my body is dry and crying for help. I call myself a human prune.
My lips were chapped, the skin on my face felt hard and like a piece of sandpaper. My hair was dry, too. It was pretty fly-away, and I needed conditioner and some Argonne oil to moisturize it. Of course, my mouth was dry, too. I talked with my dentist about avoiding dry mouth, and she gave me samples of great products. My hair stylist suggested a conditioner to combat my fly-away hair. I use a good lip balm. I did investigate my overall dry skin, though.
Many things cause our skin to dry. (By the way, the Jeopardy show taught me that skin is the largest organ in the body!). Since the pandemic, I have been washing my hands and face a lot, and when I am out, I usually use hand sanitizer. Both frequent handwashing and hand sanitizer use can add to dryness. Aging, medications, and certain medical treatments can dry us out, too.
Dry skin can show up as itchiness, flakiness, or redness. It is annoying, but there are some basic causes and things that might help if we are aware of them.
The good old Vaseline company says there are five reasons for dry skin:
1. Letting too much sunshine in It is wonderful to spend time outdoors, but the sun can do damage by penetrating into the skin’s dermis layer, taking away moisture and oils. We can protect ourselves by staying out of the sun’s strongest rays from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., using a sunblock with an SPF of 15 or higher, and not staying out too long.
2. Crisp winter air
In the cold winter, the humidity is low, and that means that moisture is pulled away from your skin surface. Without proper care, skin can crack and flake, which might lead to inflammation. Moisturizing your skin more often, using a humidifier, and taking shorter showers can help.
3. Taking long showers
Having hot water pour down on your skin might be relaxing, but it is a big cause of dry skin. The hot water takes away the skin’s ability to moisturize itself by stripping away the skin’s moisturizing cells. Soaps and harsh cleansers can remove skin proteins, going deeper into the skin’s layers and causing additional moisture loss. Dermatologists explain that your skin is not just losing water, but also losing the ability to retain water. So, keep showers short, about 5 to 10 minutes in length, and use moisturizing shampoos and soaps. Moisturize after your shower.
4. Not watching the indoor temperature
When you are inside your home, watch the temperature. Air conditioners and furnace heat can dry out the skin. They both dry out the air, which can lower the skin’s resistance and make surface cells fall out. Using a fan can help reduce drying of the skin, and running a humidifier can help keep the air moist.
5. High elevations
Flying on airplanes can dry your skin. Flying at 30,000 feet can strip your skin’s protective layer (the stratum corneum). Their pressurized cabins take humidity out. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after your flight. Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages, which will dry you out a lot.
So besides being aware of places and things that dry our skin, what can we do to protect our largest organ?
There are a number of lubricating products that help the skin. Some people read about products online and learn about certain qualities of moisturizing lotions or products. A Cleveland Clinic dermatologist, Alejandra Estemalik, MD, says simply, “Choose cream for your body and lotion for your face, and skip the fragrances and botanicals.” There are so many moisturizers, creams, shampoos, and facial cream on the market, and choosing a right one for you can be a staggering challenge.
Moisturizers for dry skin from brands like CeraVe, Aveeno, Avène, La Roche-Posay, Eucerin, and Cetaphil are among those that Dr. Estemalik recommends most. These contain good ingredients, are non-irritating, and have no fragrance. Sometimes going online and reading about products that moisturize can be helpful, and it is always critical to ask your doctor for recommendations.
I spent months looking for a moisturizer that would be good for me. I finally chose one. The price wasn’t that cheap, but I hoped it was a good one. And it was. That’s because when I was waiting to see my podiatrist in her office, I saw a bottle of Eucerin on the countertop. It took me days to research it.
Probably the best way to confirm my research!
Sister Karen Zielinski is the Director of Canticle Studio. Canticle Studio is a part of the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, OH’s overall advancement effort and has a mission of being a creative center where artists generate works, products, and services in harmony with the mission of the Sisters St. Francis. She can be reached at kzielins@sistersosf.org or 419-824-3543. ✲
