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30 Natural Home Remedies for Dry Skin

30 Natural Home Remedies for Dry Skin. Dry skin is a common condition that almost everyone suffers from once in their lives. For some, it lasts all year, but others only experience dry skin in the winter. Extreme cold temperatures with low levels of humidity cause all of the moisture to be pulled from your skin, leading to dryness. While there are plenty of moisturizers and lotions that are available on the market, these products can be very pricey.

Alternatively, you could try something a little more natural. Natural remedies are both low-cost and effective for hydrating and nourishing your skin back to a healthy state. There are tons of products on the market that claim to be “natural,” but the best way to restore moisture back to your skin is by going straight to the source. If you read the label of many of the packages, they’ll include common ingredients.

We’ve saved you the trouble reading every label by giving you the best natural home remedies for dry skin. We’ve also included a few things you can do to help retain the moisture in your skin. We highly suggest that you follow some of these tips, like wearing gloves, because you can apply oils all day long, but your skin may not be able to retain the moisture.

This can be especially true depending on the cause of your dry skin. Irritants also cause dry skin for some, so it is helpful to determine whether or not its laundry soap, daily moisturizer, body wash, or some other chemical that could be causing this uncomfortable condition. 

Milk

Milk

Milk has natural soothing and anti-inflammatory properties that can benefit your dry and itchy skin. Additionally, the lactic acid in milk exfoliates dead skin cells and increases your skin’s ability to retain moisture. 

Simply soak a washcloth in cold milk and apply the cloth to your skin for five to seven minutes before gently rinsing it off with lukewarm water.

Olive Oil

Olive Oil

Olive oil contains many antioxidants and fatty acids that are very beneficial to your skin. 

Apply a small amount of olive oil under your regular moisturizer or massage into your skin shortly before taking a shower.

Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil also contains a lot of fatty acids that help moisturize dry skin. 

Apply warm coconut oil all over your body before going to sleep or directly after taking a shower to get the most benefit.

Honey

Honey

Honey is one of the best natural moisturizers because it contains antioxidant, antimicrobial, and humectant properties. It also contains various essential minerals and vitamins that will improve the overall health of your skin. 

For the best results, rub honey all over your body about five to ten minutes before taking a bath or shower.

Avocado

Avocado

Avocado contains many vitamins, antioxidants, and fatty acids that will help improve the texture of your skin. 

Eating avocado can help keep your skin hydrated, as will making an avocado paste from the pulp of the fruit to rub over your dry skin.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal

Since oatmeal contains such high protein content, it is very good for moisturizing and relieving dry skin by preventing water loss and maintaining natural moisture. It also contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that will help improve your skin health as well. 

Pouring one cup of plain oatmeal into your bath is one way to see the benefits.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera

This medicinal plant contains many antiseptic and antifungal properties that help to soothe your skin and combat flaking, dry, irritated skin. 

You can access the gel within the aloe vera plant by cutting open a fresh aloe vera leaf and squeezing the gel out of it onto your dry skin. Let this sit for approximately 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.

Petroleum Jelly

Petroleum Jelly

Petroleum jelly has been used as a moisturizer for years. In 2017, a study showed that petroleum jelly is especially useful in for older people to help restore the skin's barrier as it weakens with age. 

Just use it every day or twice a day.

(image via Facebook)

Fish Oil

Fish Oil

Fish oils are incredibly healthy for the heart, but they can also help dry skin. Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation that can be caused by eczema.

The other ingredient, EPA, helps “waterproof” the skin by bolstering the membrane that keeps moisture in.

Blueberries

Blueberries

Blueberries are one of the best antioxidants a person can consume. They’re packed with vitamin A, C, and E, which all help skin in one way or another. 

Eating blueberries regularly can help improve moisture retention and even provide a brighter complexion!

Cooler Showers

Cooler Showers

A hot shower is wonderful, but the skin can become irritated by hot water on a cold day. Super hot water has a tendency to dry out the skin, leaving it itchy and flakey. 

Try to take a lukewarm shower when the temperatures begin to drop.

Sugar Scrubs

Sugar Scrubs

Sometimes all it takes is a good exfoliation. Removing dead skin cells allows new skin cells the chance to absorb moisture from lotions, petroleum jellies, and oils. 

Sugar scrubs don’t have to be expensive, either. It’s even possible to make your own using natural ingredients.

(image via Facebook)

Wear Gloves

Wear Gloves

The hands come into contact with a number of irritants on a day to day basis, which can severely exacerbate dry skin. 

Wearing gloves provides an extra barrier of protection to keep the skin moisturized and safe.

Use a Humidifier

Use a Humidifier

Very dry conditions can often cause dry skin. The easiest way to remedy this is by using a humidifier. This adds moisture to the air, which hydrates the skin.

Setting a humidifier to 60% is enough to help skin through the driest of seasons.

Yogurt

Yogurt

Yogurt is good for the body and the skin. Applying yogurt directly to the skin's surface has proven to fight breakouts and prevent wrinkles.

Rub it into the skin and let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes and rinse it off with lukewarm water. Apply it a few times a week to reduce dryness.

Almond Oil

Almond Oil

Almond oil has high amounts of vitamin E, which makes it an excellent all-natural moisturizer for dry skin. Almond oil isn’t greasy, so your skin will soak it right up. 

Apply warm almond oil before showering or mix some with warm milk for both sleep and skin health benefits.

Don't Take a Bath

Don't Take a Bath

Spending too much time soaking in a hot, soapy bath is a recipe for dry skin, especially during the winter. The hot water dries out the skin and can lead to extremely dry skin, skin inflammation, and worsen eczema. 

Soaking in a tub only strips your skin of natural oils, so take a lukewarm shower instead to protect your skin.

Avoid Harsh Soap

Avoid Harsh Soap

Many soaps contain fragrances, antibacterial detergents, and alcohol, all of which can strip the natural oils from your skin, leading to dryness.

Instead, choose gentle skin cleansers and shower gels that have moisturizers or mild soaps that contain added fats and oils.

Water

Water

Staying hydrated is essential to all of your bodily functions, including keeping your skin healthy. 

It’s important to drink the proper amount of water every day to bring water where your body needs it. If you’re dehydrated, your skin will dry out, too.

Lock in Lotion With Cotton Socks

Lock in Lotion With Cotton Socks

It can be easy to forget about keeping your feet moisturized but neglecting them leads to dry, cracked feet and skin sensitivity. If your feet are dry, apply moisturizer or a hydrating oil, like coconut oil, to your feet and then put on a pair of cotton socks. 

The cotton allows your skin to breathe while locking in the moisturizer.

Turn Down the Heater

Turn Down the Heater

Hot air is one of the fastest ways to dry out your skin, especially if it’s dry, direct heat from a heater. If you’re in the car or in a place where you sit in front of a heater, do your skin a favor and turn down the thermostat. 

Even slightly cooler air is better for your skin than the heat on full blast.

Wear Gentle Fabrics

Wear Gentle Fabrics

Don't wear fabrics that don’t breathe like wool or polyester. They’re itchy, and they trap in moisture and odors, which is the perfect environment for bacteria to grow. Avoid these fabrics in favor of cotton or silk. 

These fabrics are gentle on the skin’s surface and allow the skin to breathe.

Evening Primrose Oil

Evening Primrose Oil

This oil is used topically to soothe dry, irritated skin, and is filled with omega-6 fatty acids and gamma-linolenic acid. 

There are tinctures and capsules of the evening primrose oil that you can take by mouth to treat inflammation of the skin and reduce eczema symptoms. 

Sunflower Oil

Sunflower Oil

This oil comes from the seeds of the sunflower and can be applied directly to the skin after bathing to lock in the moisture. 

Sunflower oil protects the skin’s outer layer by keeping moisture in and bacteria out. This oil will also hydrate your skin and relieve itching and inflammation. 

Vegetable Shortening

Vegetable Shortening

This thick, greasy kitchen essential is a classic home remedy for dry, irritated skin and help it heal. Cover the affected area with vegetable shortening, and then put plastic wrap over it for two to four hours.

This allows the moisturizer to sink in and can be repeated as often as necessary.

Use a Gentle Laundry Detergent

Use a Gentle Laundry Detergent

Many laundry detergents and fabric softeners contain harsh chemicals, dyes, and fragrances that leave your skin dry and irritated. Swap out your laundry soap for something fragrance-free, which has fewer chemicals and won’t dry out your skin. 

These types of detergents normally say “free and clear” on the label to let you know which ones are safe.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes

When you expose your skin to the elements it damages skin cells faster than your body can repair them, leading to dry skin. Eating foods high in antioxidants, like tomatoes, can help with skin health.

They minimize damage from toxins and help your body make new cells, making your skin look and feel soft and healthy.

Sesame Oil

Sesame Oil

Sesame oil contains zinc, a mineral that helps your body produce collagen, which helps preserve skin elasticity. It also contains monounsaturated fats and linoleic acid, making it an excellent moisturizer for the skin, too.

Apply warm sesame oil to your skin before bed to keep your skin hydrated and glowing.

Rose Water

Rose Water

Rose water is a beauty regimen staple, and for a good reason. It has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce redness, irritation, acne, dermatitis, and eczema while also cleaning pores and toning the skin. It is soothing, moisturizing, and refreshing for your skin.

Just apply rose water with a cotton pad to any affected areas after bathing. 

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar

Raw apple cider vinegar has many health benefits and is used for weight loss, treating infections, and as a natural antiseptic. It also helps with a variety of skin problems because it’s antimicrobial properties help with skin infections and soothe irritation while balancing the natural pH of your skin. 

Just add one or two cups of apple cider vinegar to a lukewarm bath and soak in the tub for no more than 10 minutes to protect your skin.