What Are the Different Natural Remedies for Dry Skin?

There’s no shortage of natural remedies for dry skin on the market today. Such products vary from oral supplements to external products like specialized creams, lotions, and oils. Still, some people prefer even more natural remedies, especially those they can make at home. Generally, these kinds of natural remedies for dry skin include a combination of soothing both the inside and outside of the body. Making changes to the environment to which the skin is exposed is beneficial, also.

One of the most effective ways to approach natural remedies for dry skin is to start from the inside out. Drinking eight or more glasses of water a day can help keep skin hydrated, and some people benefit from drinking a warm glass of milk mixed with a couple of teaspoons of almond oil each night. Also, it’s important to incorporate plenty of water-rich fruits and fish oils in the diet, as well as spices and seasonings known to calm and alleviate dry skin such as coriander, cumin, and turmeric.

Getting enough rest and exercise both act as natural remedies for dry skin. Regularly exercising can also help with treating dry skin because the sweat produced while exercising can unblock pores, which allows the body’s natural oils to surface and help keep skin hydrated. Adequate sleep is crucial for the skin’s hydration, because without enough sleep the body doesn’t have sufficient time to rest and repair itself.

Other more external natural remedies for dry skin include using common food-based items to moisturize the skin. These methods can be as simple as applying honey or an avocado paste to the skin and leaving it on for five or 10 minutes before bathing or showering. Soaking in a bath of lukewarm water and milk can help soothe skin, as can mixing baking soda, oatmeal, and vanilla extract into the bath water. Some people have success using the inside of banana peels to remove dry skin patches from their feet, while others use actual mashed up bananas as treatment masks for their necks and faces. At the same time, some people prefer a mixture of egg yolks, olive oil, rose water, and even orange and lime juice to soothe their facial skin.

Not all home remedies for dry skin are 100% natural in terms of the products used, but for many they are preferable to traditional medical remedies for dry skin. For example, applying lotion after a shower or bath when the skin is still moist helps treat dry skin. People who want a more natural approach, however, can replace store-bought lotions with regular petroleum jelly or sesame, coconut, glycerin, or avocado oils. Replacing harsh soaps with moisture-rich or natural soaps can help alleviate dry skin, as can replacing harsh laundry and dish detergents with natural products or those created for people with sensitive skin. Too, rubber gloves can help protect hands that become dried out from washing the dishes.

Certain environmental changes can act as natural remedies for dry skin. People who experience dry skin because of dry air caused from a heating or cooling system or the weather can choose fans over air conditioners or keep humidifiers near. Quitting smoking can eliminate dry skin, especially on the face and hands. Making other changes to the skin’s environment, such as using warm water instead of hot water during baths and showers, can help soothe and prevent dry skin. Also, avoiding clothing, bed linens, and towels made of itchy, rough fabrics can help avoid irritation and keep the skin calm while it’s healing.