The 10 states most desperate for dry skin relief — and No. 1 isn’t Alaska
A new analysis of Google searches reveals which states are looking for help with dry, irritated skin the most.
I live in Wisconsin, so I know what winter can do to your skin. Once the temperature drops, my hands can go from perfectly normal to dry and cracked seemingly overnight. I’ve tried my share of more intensive skincare treatments, too, including chemical peels, so I know how quickly the weather can become an issue when your skin is already a little unhappy.
So when I saw a new ranking of the states where people are searching most often for help with dry skin, I assumed the coldest states would dominate. Alaska seemed like a pretty safe bet.
It turns out, I was wrong.
A new analysis from Eight Saints Skincare looked at searches for dry-skin treatments, moisturizers, serums, humidifiers, and other ways Americans try to deal with moisture loss. After adjusting the numbers for each state’s population, the results produced a ranking that isn’t quite what I expected.
Here are the 10 states where people are searching for dry-skin solutions the most.
10. Connecticut
Connecticut kicks off the list with 110.9 searches per 100,000 residents.
The state’s residents searched for everything from dry skin treatments and ceramide moisturizers to humidifiers for dry skin. Searches for hyaluronic acid serums were also relatively common.
9. New Jersey
New Jersey comes in at No. 9, with 113.1 searches per 100,000 residents.
Dry skin treatment was one of the more frequently searched terms, along with humidifiers for dry skin and hyaluronic acid serum. The state’s ranking is a reminder that you don’t have to live somewhere with an especially dramatic winter to be searching for ways to deal with dry skin.
8. Rhode Island
Rhode Island ranks No. 8, with 114 searches per 100,000 residents.
The state’s overall search volume is much smaller than some of the larger states on this list, but its population-adjusted rate puts it firmly in the top 10.
7. Maryland
Maryland comes in at No. 7, recording 115.2 searches per 100,000 residents.
Residents were searching for dry skin treatments, humidifiers, ceramide moisturizers, and other products designed to add or retain moisture.
6. Georgia
Georgia is one of the more surprising states near the top of the ranking. It comes in at No. 6, with 116.8 searches per 100,000 residents.
That’s higher than several states known for much colder winters. The researchers suggest that indoor environments can play a role in dry skin, since forced-air heating can reduce humidity even when outdoor temperatures aren’t particularly frigid.
5. Massachusetts
Massachusetts ranks No. 5, with 117.4 searches per 100,000 residents.
The state had particularly high search interest in dry skin treatments, humidifiers for dry skin, and hyaluronic acid serum.
4. Nevada
Nevada comes in at No. 4, with 118.2 searches per 100,000 residents.
It may seem surprising to see Nevada ahead of several states with much harsher winters, but the ranking isn’t based simply on temperature. The analysis looks at searches for a range of dry-skin and hydration-related terms, adjusted for population.
3. New York
New York takes the No. 3 spot, with 123.8 searches per 100,000 residents.
The state had particularly high search interest in dry skin treatments and hyaluronic acid serums, along with searches related to ceramide moisturizers and humidifiers.
The analysis points to indoor heating as one possible factor behind the high demand. When it’s cold outside and the heat is running indoors, the air can become remarkably dry.
2. California
California comes in at No. 2, with 125.9 searches per 100,000 residents.
That’s a surprising position for a state better known for sunshine than snow. California’s large population also means it had the highest total search volume in the study, but its population-adjusted rate still put it near the very top.
1. Colorado
Colorado takes the top spot by a fairly wide margin, with 154.7 searches per 100,000 residents.
The researchers point to Colorado’s combination of high elevation and cold, dry air as one possible reason for the state’s high level of interest in moisture-retention and dry-skin solutions.
And this is where the ranking gets interesting. Some of the states people might instinctively expect to dominate don’t make the top 10 at all. Alaska ranks No. 30, Minnesota is No. 23, and Wisconsin comes in at No. 46.
As someone who lives in Wisconsin, I can personally confirm that a No. 46 ranking does not mean our winters are kind to skin. I’m guessing we’re just more likely to grab the nearest bottle of lotion and call it a day than start researching our skin barrier.
The study is ultimately measuring search behavior, rather than diagnosing which states actually have the driest skin. Still, the results show just how much interest in winter skincare varies from state to state.
And apparently, if you’re looking for the state most interested in doing something about it, you’ll want to look west rather than north.
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