I've been crying a lot, and now my left eye is flaky, red, itchy. the skin under does not look bruised or red. it also appears to have lost elasticity?

Like chapped lips: Frequent tear overflow can wash away skin oils and protectants and cause surface damage similar to the chapping that lips sometimes suffer. One would hope that what ever the reason for the sadness is now over. But if the crying persists, you might protect the skin with emollient cream or vaseline which will protect it from the effects of the tears.