Dry Skin
Let’s face it, dry skin is uncomfortable. It can make your skin look flaky and cause you to itch, which will only make it worse. The good news, in most cases, you can use natural remedies by adding them to your skin care routine. Dry skin, also called xerosis, is a condition where the skin lacks moisture to maintain its smoothness and supple texture. Skin becomes tight, painful, dull, itchy, red or flaky. Although dry skin is fairly common, some can become worst and lead to dermatitis.
Dry skin can be caused by several issues including, but not limited to: environmental conditions (indoor and/or outdoor), skin conditions, aging, harsh soaps, and genetics. All of these can remove the natural oils from our skin. Dry skin can also be a manifestation of sun damage. That is why, it is always important to protect skin from exposure to sun’s harsh ultraviolet rays.
There are many possible causes of dry skin, such as dry weather, harsh soaps and detergents, sun exposure, or possibly because of an underlying medical condition like thyroid disorders. (Hypothyroidism can reduce the effectiveness a person’s glands to secrete sweat and oil, resulting in dryness of the skin.) Paradoxically, lack of proper bathing and subsequent exfoliation can cause skin layers to build up resulting in tender, dry and delicate skin once the heavy skin layer has been removed.
Fortunately, there is nothing in mild dry skin that a natural skin care regimen cannot handle; however, for those with chronic to severe dry skin, to avoid further complications, seek a dermatologist’s expertise and medical intervention.
The following home remedies are easy to explore and you may already have some of the ingredients in your kitchen. If you think your skin issues need more attention, don’t hesitate to visit your doctor.
Home Remedies for Dry Skin
There are plenty of products on the market that you can buy to moisturize your skin, but they have so many ingredients in them. Try some of the below remedies to remedy dry skin.
Start a Skin Care Regimen
At the top of the list should be proper skin care regimen. This should be a priority home remedy. Your basic skin care products for the face should comprise a cleanser, toner, moisturizer, a sun block and a mild soap or body wash for the body.
Your dry skin will benefit most in moisturizers because they seal over your skin to block water from evaporating. Fortunately, there are many moisturizers out in the market; choose the one that is indicated for dry skin and most compatible to your skin type. Never forget to apply sun block after moisturizer, most especially when going out.
Sun block should always be the last skin care product applied and should be applied thirty minutes before going out for maximum skin absorption.
Promote Skin Hydration
Sometimes the simplest home remedy is the most effective treatment such as making sure you are always well hydrated by drinking at least eight glasses of water or fluids daily. Reduce alcohol and caffeine intake which is dehydrating to the body and causes your skin (and other areas) to suffer the effects.
Other home remedies include the use of humidifiers and clothes made of skin friendly fabrics. Skin friendly fabrics are cotton and silk that allow your skin to breathe.
Natural Skin Products
There are many effective natural products over the counter to help with dry skin. A very basic but effective one is plain old Vaseline. You probably won't find another more effective skin barrier which is why this product is so popular. If you are opting for a less heavy more organic treatment you can choose from drops of lime juice in avocado paste or a raw peanut paste mixed with 2-5 tablespoon of milk or cooked oatmeal with drops of honey to put on the face for fifteen to twenty minutes for instant hydration to dry skin..
You can also opt or a simple milk bath can be a prevention and a cure for dry skin.
These are just some of the ways you can provide relief and keep your skin moisturized and hydrated from dry skin. You can always check with your doctor before trying new home remedies.
Natural Oils
However, for those advocates of natural cures and treatments, massaging olive oil, aloe vera or almond oil on your face before bedtime are more the favored natural cures and home remedies for dry skin.
Add Colloidal Oatmeal to a Warm Bath
For temporary relief of itchy, dry skin, try adding colloidal oatmeal to a warm bath (don’t make it too hot as hot water can be drying to the skin). You can purchase a product like Aveeno Soothing Bath Treatment or make your own.
- If you purchase the oatmeal, pour a packet or recommended amount under the running water then swish the water around to make sure it’s all mixed in.
- If you make your own colloidal oatmeal, add in about 1 1/2 cup oats to bath.
- Soak for 15 minutes or until the water cools.
- Gently pat your skin dry, don’t rub the towel over your body, you should still feel just the slightest bit damp.
- Apply a fragrance free, gentle moisturizer.
Making Your Own Colloidal Oatmeal
Making your own colloidal oatmeal is easy to do, simply following the instructions below.
- Grind up organic, old-fashioned oatmeal (non-instant oatmeal). You can find this at your local grocery store.
- To grind the oatmeal, you can use a clean coffee grinder, food processor or something that will grind it to a fine powder.
- Use what you need and store the unused powder in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
Epsom salt and baking soda baths also work well for relieving dry skin.
Wash your Body with a Gentle Soap
Using a gentle, fragrance free soap is another good choice if you have dry, itchy skin. Gentle soaps don’t have all the harsh ingredients as some of the everyday soaps we tend to buy. Some examples are: Aveeno, Neutrogena and Dove.
Use a Daily Skin Moisturizer
Not just any moisturizer can be applied to dry skin. Look for fragrance free moisturizers, hypoallergenic moisturizers such as Eucerin or Cetaphil. It's also helpful to apply the moisturizer daily, gently after a shower or bath and before bedtime.
Try Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe Vera Gel has anti-inflammatory and calming effects on the skin and can help soothe your skin of the discomfort from dry skin. Apply a small amount where needed.
Lily of the Desert is a brand found in many health food sections of the grocery store.
Organic Virgin Coconut Oil
Coconut oil can greatly improve dry skin versus oils or lotions made from petroleum-based products, its light and absorbs quickly. The warmth of your skin helps soften the coconut oil so it will spread easily.
Apply a small amount where needed such as: elbows, feet, knees, etc. If you are someone prone to blackheads on your face, this may not be the oil for you as it can clog pores and make matters worse.
Foods That Can Help Dry Skin
Eating healthy is a great way to stay healthy and it can also help your skin as well. Some foods that can help are listed below:
- Salmon, tuna, sardines
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Citrus fruit
- Green leafy vegetables
- Fruits
- Broccoli
- Asparagus
- Tomatoes
- Avocados
- Sweet Potatoes
- Oatmeal
- Nuts – sunflower seeds, walnuts, flaxseed, almonds, pumpkin seeds
If these remedies don’t help improve dry skin over a two to three week period, check with your doctor as you may have another condition.
