Do you live in an arid or desert climate and it’s making your skin dry? If you’ve ever wondered what happens to our skin when there is a lack of humidity in the atmosphere, we’re here to explain. Whether you live in such an environment, or you notice skin changes when you travel, there are good reasons as to why your skin is acting up. We’ll also look into the best products and ingredients to use when your skin is adapting to a dry climate.

Is Humidity Good For Skin? What A Dry Climate Does To Your Skin

Dry skin happens when skin doesn’t retain sufficient moisture. Some people genetically have dry skin but it worsens when they travel, move to particular areas or when seasons change. “Skin tends to be driest in winter, when temperatures and humidity levels plummet,” Mayo Clinic explains. “The season may not matter as much if you live in desert regions.” Others might have oilier skin but develop dry skin as a result of living in a desert climate or somewhere where there is a high altitude.

As Eminence Organics Lead Skin Care Trainer Natalie Pergar explains, a high altitude would constitute anywhere that is 2,000 ft and higher and where there is less moisture in the air. A city like Denver, Colorado, for example, presents a combination of factors leading to the perfect recipe for dry skin. It sits 5,280 feet above sea level, consists of an Alpine desert environment with dry air, a high altitude and low humidity! So, if you’re already prone to dry skin and you move to a dry location such as this, you might be dealing with worsening symptoms.

According to the Academy of Dermatology, dry skin symptoms include:

• Itchy skin
• Flaking skin with a rough texture
• Cracks and/or bleeding skin
• Skin that feels raw and painful (may sting or burn)
• Wrinkled with a rough, loose texture (from a lack of moisture)
• Skin infections like crusts, discoloration or swelling
• Peeling, shedding skin

To learn more about the signs and symptoms, here’s our guide to dry skin here, and read on to find out more about hydrating products that can help combat the lack of moisture in the air and alleviate these symptoms.  

The Best Skin Care Products For Dry Skin

Dry skin is a result of transepidermal water loss, which is when water passively evaporates through the skin. To address the issue of water loss, Natalie recommends a facial oil such as the Camellia Glow Solid Face Oil. Facial oils are humectant skin care products which lock in hydration and moisture. 

If you’re looking for something lightweight during the hotter months, the Facial Recovery Oil has a lighter texture and which you can apply by adding two to three drops to the face and neck. It contains clary sage oil, olive oil, sage leaf extract and ylang ylang to rejuvenate and deeply hydrate the skin.

Using a soapy or foamy cleanser to cleanse your face is definitely not recommended for dry skin types. Try something hydrating like the Coconut Milk Cleanser — coconut milk and virgin coconut oil soften and moisturize the skin, while the inclusion of our BioComplex fomulationa reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

The Firm Skin Acai Cleanser contains protective ingredients, like seabuckthorn berry, for the skin’s moisture barrier as well as a cocktail of hydrating ingredients, including acai berry juice, botanical hyaluronic acid and raspberry juice.

Next, consider applying a luxuriously rich mask. The Snow Mushroom & Reishi Masque is designed to be ultra hydrating and improves the appearance of elasticity and firmness. The mask formula contains reishi mushroom and birch water to improve hydration, paracress extract to help the skin appear tight and firm, and caffeine to revitalize the skin’s appearance.

If the dry skin is a result of the climate, it’s likely that your body, not just your face, has dry skin symptoms. The Apricot Body Oil is blended with an array of essential oils, such as jojoba and grape seed, making it ideal to massage across your whole body. Dispense an appropriate amount of body oil into your palms to massage into the skin — you can add a few drops to your favorite moisturizer as well.  For an all-over body treatment, add one to two capfuls of Apricot Body Oil to your bath. 

Watch this In The Mix video for an in-depth discussion on choosing the best skin care products for a dry climate.

3 Tips For Protecting Your Skin In A Dry Area

Now that you have a dry skin care product list in place, it’s time to consider some other small changes you can make: 

Check Your Household Products

If you’re already dealing with dry skin from the climate, don’t make it even worse by coming into contact with detergents or dishwashing liquids. Too often our household products and even our shampoos contain harsh chemicals that trigger dermatitis or flaky, red and itchy skin. You can read more about what ingredients to avoid in this blog post. You may find that wearing gloves helps your skin in the long-term.

Use A Humidifier

In winter, indoor environments with central heating can wreak havoc on parched skin. A humidifier expels water vapor and adds moisture back into the air. Ongoing use prevents transepidermal water loss and less dry skin. Some people also use humidifiers to relieve seasonal allergies and sinus blockages.

Stop Taking Long, Hot Showers

While a hot bath or shower can feel amazing when you have itchy or dry skin, it can dry you out by stripping your skin of important oils. When possible, use warm or lukewarm water instead, and when you get out of the shower, moisturize from head-to-toe to stop the moisture from leaving the skin.

Are you ready to update your dry skin care routine? Visit an Eminence Organics Spa Partner to learn more about products for a dry skin climate.