The good news is that you don’t necessarily need to visit a dermatologist to heal your dry skin. Instead, consider adding a natural remedy to your skin care routine at home. In fact, the ingredients for these dry-skin remedies might already be in your kitchen.
Why Opt for a Natural Dry Skin Remedy Rather Than Buy a Product
Given the countless skin products available, a natural remedy may be worth trying, says Christine Lopez, MD, a dermatologist and vice-chair of the department of dermatology at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.
Natural oils and remedies tend to be pure, Dr. Lopez says, which makes them a better choice for many people. “Other over-the-counter products can have a ton of ingredients in them — they not only contain the active moisturizing products, but they also have preservatives.” That’s often the case for water-based products. These, along with products that contain alcohol and fragrances, can cause irritation or an allergic reaction, or dry out your skin.
It’s often a good idea to keep it simple when it comes to beauty care, especially for people with allergies or a very sensitive complexion. Unlike water-based lotions and creams or those containing preservatives, pure oils have a natural base, making them great dry-skin remedies.
How Natural Remedies Can Help Soothe Dry, Irritated Skin
Your skin naturally produces oil, called sebum, which helps protect the skin from moisture loss, but everyday actions — such as forgetting to put on moisturizer or washing your hands with a drying soap — can strip natural oils from your skin. For people without acne, which involves overproduction of sebum (and for whom extra oil would provide the opposite of the desired effect), using oils can help restore skin’s sheen and protective barrier.
There are many ways to reap the moisturizing benefits of oils, either on their own or with other ingredients, to make a DIY nourishing mask or an exfoliating rub. Lopez recommends that castor oil, lavender oil, and avocado oil may be good natural remedies for dry skin, again, so long as you do not have acne.
Coconut oil is another oil you may have in your kitchen cabinet and may also be good choice for those not prone to acne. People with atopic dermatitis — a type of eczema and an allergic skin condition characterized by dryness and itching — saw excellent results when they used virgin coconut oil on their skin, according to a study published in January 2014 in the International Journal of Dermatology.
Aloe vera, a plant with natural healing properties, can also be infused in oils and used as a natural moisturizer.
10 Natural, DIY Remedies to Moisturize Dry Skin
A simple way to use your favorite oil (in its purest form), is to drizzle the oil into warm bath water and treat yourself to a short soak; gently pat your skin dry afterward to avoid rubbing all the oil off.
You can also try these natural remedies:
1. Whip up an Olive Oil Cleanser to Soothe Dry Skin
A great natural oil to use is olive oil, which works as a natural cleanser and moisturizer, says Brandy Crompton, a licensed aesthetician and manager of LeBliss Salon and Spa in Louisville, Kentucky. “Just rub the oil into your skin and drape a warm, damp cloth over your face until it cools,” Crompton says, “then wipe away the excess oil.” Olive oil is a good choice as a cleanser because it won’t strip your skin’s natural oils, but it will clean your skin, she adds.
2. DIY a Rich, Creamy Avocado Mask
Creating a homemade mask of avocado is another natural way to soothe dry skin. Crompton suggests pureeing half an avocado and mixing it with a teaspoon of olive oil; you can also add a tablespoon (tbsp) of honey for very dry skin. Apply the mask to your face, leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes, and then wash it off. Your skin should feel moisturized, but you can double up on the hydrating effects by applying your regular moisturizer as well.
RELATED: 5 Causes of Dry Skin and How to Help Fight Them
3. Make a Natural Olive Oil and Sugar Scrub
Create a naturally moisturizing exfoliating scrub using a combination of olive oil and sugar. Combine ½ cup of sugar with 2 tbsp of olive oil, Crompton says. If you want, you can also add an essential oil like lavender, which adds a natural fragrance and can promote relaxation. Gently rub the scrub into your skin, and then wash it off. Last, use a soothing moisturizer to lock in the benefits of freshly exfoliated skin.
Also Read: 4 Amazing Benefits Of Cinnamon For Skin You Cannot Miss
