Oxygen therapy, while life-saving for many, can unfortunately have a drying effect on the skin, particularly the nose and lips. This is often due to the method of oxygen delivery.
How Oxygen Delivery Systems Affect Skin
The most common method of oxygen delivery is via a nasal cannula, a small tube placed under the nose. The continuous flow of oxygen can dry out the delicate skin in this area. Several sources confirm this:
- NYP Health Library: Explicitly states that oxygen use "may irritate or dry out your skin, nose, and lips." https://www.nyp.org/healthlibrary/multimedia/using-oxygen-tips-for-cannula-and-skin-care
- Alberta Health Services: Notes that using oxygen "may dry out your nose or lips." https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=ug5195
- CE/NCPD: Mentions that oxygen therapy "may cause drying of the nasal passages and mucosa." https://elsevier.health/en-US/preview/oxygen-therapy-nasal-cannula-or-oxygen-mask
It's important to note that the drying effect is primarily related to the delivery method and not oxygen itself. The continuous airflow removes moisture from the skin.
Mitigating Dry Skin from Oxygen Therapy
While oxygen itself isn't inherently drying, the delivery method can be. Using a water-based lubricant on the nose and lips helps counteract this.
Other Considerations
Some skincare products contain oxygen as an ingredient, and these are not necessarily drying. For example, some acne treatments utilize oxygen to kill bacteria, and their formulations may not cause dryness. https://www.liquidoxygen.com/ However, this is separate from the drying effects of oxygen delivery via a cannula.
