As many of my subscribers know, I have an autoimmune disease called Sjogren’s Syndrome. One of the main symptoms that Sjogren’s patients can experience when living with this chronic inflammatory condition is dry skin.

Dry skin can take on many forms in Sjogren’s patients. From cracked lips to itchy skin rashes, there’s no shortage of dry skin symptoms when it comes to Sjogren’s. For me personally, my skin became so dry that my dermatologist diagnosed me with xerosis cutis, otherwise known as abnormally dry skin. So, how do I handle living with the chronic skin dryness caused by Sjogren’s?

1. Moisturize Daily with Skin Cream

My dermatologist recommended that since my skin was so dry, that I moisturize daily with a good skin cream. She also noted that there is a difference between skin creams and lotions. According to North Star Dermatology, skin creams and lotions are both made of a mixture of water and oil. However, skin creams are thicker and heavier than lotions, since they have a higher oil content (usually a 50-50 mix of water and oil). Lotions, however, have a higher water content, making them lighter than creams. If you have extremely dry skin, you’ll want to opt for a cream rather than a lotion, since creams provide a heavier barrier for keeping your dry skin hydrated.

The brands that my dermatologist recommended were the CeraVe and Aveeno for eczema skin creams (see links below). I find that using a high-quality skin cream right after a shower can also help to lock in moisture.

Buy Now: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

Buy Now: Aveeno Eczema Therapy Cream

2. Use A Petroleum Jelly-Based Ointment

If you’re having really extreme dryness, you may want to opt for an ointment that will stay on your skin for longer than a traditional skin cream. Most ointments are made out of petroleum jelly, a thick substance that prevents them from being immediately absorbed into your skin.

In addition to Sjogren’s, I also have the inflammatory skin condition eczema (atopic dermatitis). One of the most helpful over-the-counter treatments for my eczema was a hydrocortisone ointment from my local pharmacy. I know a lot of people are against using steroid-based creams like hydrocortisone, but the over-the-counter variety only has about 1% cortisone. It would help to soothe the itchiness and redness associated with eczema, and I’ve also found it useful for dryness associated with my Sjogren’s.

I now use a prescription ointment from my dermatologist which is a bit stronger than the over-the-counter variety, but I’ve linked below an over-the-counter ointment option.

Buy Now: Aquaphor Itch Relief Ointment, 1% Hydrocortisone

3. Slap on Some Sunscreen

According to Garnier, sun exposure can further dehydrate your dry skin, since the sun’s rays will decrease moisture and essential oils from your skin’s surface. For this reason, you’ll want to use a moisturizer that also contains some SPF.

Plus, it’s important that whatever sunscreen you use, that it’s non-comedogenic if you put it on your face, meaning that it won’t clog your pores. This is essential if you tend to get acne breakouts from skincare products. The funny thing is, despite having pretty dry skin, the oily skin in the t-zone of my face never fails to break out in pimples…even at the ripe age of 28!

Living in sunny Southern California, daily sunscreen applications are practically a must. I’ve tried so many different sunscreens over the years, especially for my face, and I think my favorite so far would have to be the COOLA organic classic face sunscreen. Not only is it non-greasy, it also smells great (like a fresh cucumber scent) and provides great sun protection with SPF 50.

Buy Now: COOLA Organic Classic Face Sunscreen

4. Don’t Forget Your Lips

It’s no secret that if you have dry skin due to Sjogren’s or another condition, your lips have probably been victim to your lack of hydration. Dry, chapped lips aren’t just uncomfortable, they can also be painful if your lips start to crack.

I’ve personally had the misfortunate of having both dry, cracked lips, and eczema around my mouth- a downright awful combination. Below, I’ve linked to my favorite favorite brands of chapstick – Burt’s Bees and Evolution of Smooth (EOS) – which I’ve used to relieve dry skin on my lips. You can also find chapstick with SPF, if you’re looking for extra sun protection.

Buy Now: Burt’s Bees Ultra Conditioning Lip Balm

Buy Now: EOS Organic Shea Lip Balm – Strawberry Sorbet

5. Humidify Your Environment

If you live in a dry environment, like a hot desert, or even a place that has extremely dry, cold winters, you’ll know what kind of damage it can wreck on your dry skin.

One year when I was 15, I spent the entire fall and winter in Canada, then spent the summer months in New Zealand (where it was technically the winter, since it was in the southern hemisphere). The 10-month long dry and cold fall/winter I had that year led me to break out in eczema rashes all over my body and my skin actually began to peel off in some places, to the point where I was shedding like I had dandruff all over my body!

If you’ve experienced anything similar, I would recommend investing in a solid humidifier that you can use to add moisture to the air in your dry environment. A humidifier is easy to use; all you need to do is refill it with water and plug it into a wall outlet, and a light mist will fill your room, making your dry skin more comfortable. They come in various sizes, so you can humidify a large room, or even a small office (just look for a ‘desk humidifier’). Below is the one that I use to humidify my home office, which is where I spend my time the majority of the week.

Buy Now: Crane Drop Ultrasonic Humidifier

Those are the top 5 must-have products that I would recommend as a Sjogren’s Syndrome and eczema patient with dry skin. Do you have a condition that causes dry skin? If so, what have you found has worked best for you? Let us know in the comments below!