Desert-Dry Skin by Norman Levine, M.D. Professor and Chief of Dermatology, The University of Arizona College of Medicine Winter's arrival in Arizona is a welcome relief from the heat, but for many residents it also means the arrival of dry skin. While not a serious health problem, dry skin is an uncomfortable condition that often requires treatment. In Arizona's desert climate nearly everyone suffers to some extent from skin dryness, but dry skin at this time of year is more common for two reasons. First, lower air temperatures and low humidity result in drier air. This dryness is intensified by forced-air heating in our homes and offices.
Dry air increases the evaporation of water from the skin.
Second, as we age, we lose the capacity to hold water in the skin. Aging depletes the oil layer that retains moisture in the skin and prevents dry air from drawing water out of our skin. Older adults living in the desert climate have greater difficulty with dry skin during the winter months. Frequent bathing, showering or swimming also remove this protective oil layer. Contrary to popular belief, the most common symptom of dry skin is itchiness, not flaking.