Home Remedies for Dry Skin

Dry skin has a variety of causes, from the environment to aging or an underlying condition. Regardless of what’s causing your dry skin, there are several remedies you can try from the comfort of your home. 

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is well-known for its moisturizing ability. Due to its high amount of saturated fatty acids, the oil penetrates deep into dry skin to fill in cracks and gaps. According to various studies, coconut oil is just as safe on dry skin as petroleum jelly and may be more effective. It hydrates and increases surface lipids on the skin. Although you can use food grade coconut oil for dry skin, there are coconut oil products specifically meant for cosmetic use.

Oatmeal

This is another well-known ingredient for improving dry skin. Many creams and exfoliant soaps contain oatmeal, but you can get the benefits of oatmeal by adding powdered oatmeal to your bath. Studies show that oatmeal possesses anti-inflammatory properties, which may help dry skin that is also irritated.

Milk

If you have dry skin, you may want to drink more milk. The phospholipid fat in milk can improve the skin barrier when consumed on a regular basis. You can also use milk directly on the skin through a milk bath. Take a washcloth and soak it in whole milk. Lay the cloth on any area of dry or irritated skin. Leave the cloth in place for about five minutes. Rinse carefully in cool water so that you leave lactic acid from the milk on your skin.

Honey

Honey is known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. You can apply it directly to the skin to heal and moisturize. It’s important to use raw honey for this purpose and not pasteurized honey, which removes most of the honey’s healing properties.

Petroleum Jelly

Another well-known dry skin cure is petroleum jelly. It’s a common cure for chapped lips and dry skin caused by aging. Like coconut oil, it fills in the gaps in your skin and helps protect the skin barrier. You can apply it to dry elbows, cracked heels, and rough or irritated hands.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is an ingredient typically added to moisturizing creams, but you can also buy aloe vera gel on its own. A good use for aloe vera gel on hands or feet is to saturate the affected area and then wear socks or gloves to bed in order for the gel to penetrate all night.

Preventing Dry Skin

Using home remedies to tackle already dry and irritated skin is only half the battle. Work on preventing dry skin before it starts by avoiding the following triggers:

– Too much exposure to air conditioning
– Scratching dry or irritated areas
– Showering or bathing in water that is too hot
– Using skin products that contain alcohol
– Exposure to windy conditions without skin cover
– Direct contact with blowing heat such as from a fire or heater
– Shaving without moisturizing gel or cream

Combining prevention with home remedies can start your skin on the path to health. Figure out which remedy works best for you and then use it regularly while also avoiding irritating triggers for the best results.