Natural Remedies To Soothe Dry Skin

If you’ve got issues with dry skin, you’re not alone. Dry skin is so common that it’s one of the five skin types recognized by the American Academy of Dermatology. Causes of dry skin may include cold weather conditions, dry air, aging, sun damage, or harsh soaps.

Although dry skin is more common in the winter months, it can be a troublesome issue at any time of the year. Here are some of the best natural remedies to make dry skin a thing of the past.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic Acid may sound like a harsh chemical, but it’s actually a gentle molecule naturally found in large quantities in the body, including in your joints and skin. Hyaluronic acid is known to act as a lubricant for the tissues in your body, and can hold onto over 1000 times its own weight in water. This makes it an ideal hydrator.

When used in skincare, hyaluronic acid draws water in from the environment into your skin barrier. Hyaluronic acid can be found in pure serum products, creams, and various other formulations.

Colloidal Oatmeal

Oatmeal is known for its moisturizing properties and has been used for centuries on dry, irritated skin. Colloidal Oatmeal is just oatmeal that has been ground up very finely into a powder. This powder can be used in a bath or incorporated into lotions.

Colloidal oatmeal is both a skin protectant and emollient, meaning it will keep your skin soft while also protecting it from the elements. Look for creams or lotions that contain colloidal oatmeal, or alternatively, make an oatmeal powder yourself to add to soothing baths.

Beeswax

Beeswax is similar to petroleum jelly in its consistency and performance. It’s excellent for protecting your skin from harsh weather conditions while moisturizing and conditioning. It also acts as an occlusive, forming a protective layer over the surface of the skin.

Beeswax works best on dry, flaky skin. Use it on rough patches of skin such as the lips, elbows, knees, and feet. Beeswax can be found as an ingredient in lotion bars or balms, or can be purchased with no added ingredients.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a favorite for those who want an all-natural moisturizing multi-tasker. It can be used on facial skin, in your hair, on lips, hands and feet, and more. Coconut oil imparts a great softening effect to skin that lacks enough natural oils to properly moisturize itself. It contains an abundance of saturated fats and medium-chain triglycerides that are excellent at penetrating the skin to reduce inflammation and dryness. You can buy a jar of virgin coconut oil straight from the grocery store, or you can look for products with it listed as an ingredient.

Shower Smart

Showers may offer comfort, but they can actually be quite drying to the skin. Scalding water temperatures and harsh soaps can add to the dryness your skin might be feeling. Try lowering the water temperature a little bit and using body cleansers that are soap-free. Doing this will help your skin retain its moisture and natural oils that keep it healthy.

Humidifier

If you live in a dry climate, one of the best things you can do for your skin’s dryness is to use a humidifier. Humidifiers add moisture to the air, which in turn makes it easier for your skin to hold onto water in the outer dermal layer. This means that your skin will be less dry and will appear plumper and more hydrated.

In daily life, our skin can become dry for a variety of reasons. Fortunately, natural and easily-accessible remedies such as those listed above can soothe and moisturize, bringing skin back into balance by hydrating and building up our skin’s protective barrier.