Dry skin is one of those conditions that come with age, improper diets or even just seasonal changes. There are plenty of moisturizers and lotions available on the market that claim to offer an instant remedy, but these typically come with a substantial price tag.
Fortunately for those on a tight budget or who simply prefer a more natural option, there are alternatives in the form of home remedies. Not only are these often a lot cheaper, but they can provide long-lasting results.
Anyone who suffers from dry, flaky skin should put these remedies to the test to experience their hydrating and nourishing effects.
1. Shower Or Bath With Cold Water
Lounging in a nice, hot bath is definitely very soothing and relaxing, but it is,,unfortunately, not very healthy for the skin. It can result in uncomfortable, dry skin due to the natural oil barrier being stripped away by the hot water.
Taking a bath in cooler water or a cold shower is one of the simplest and most affordable ways to combat dry skin. Not only does it tighten your pores and cuticles, which prevents clogging, but also results in less natural oils being stripped away.
If you are used to showering or bathing in hot water, it will take a while to get used to doing it cold, but the benefits to your skin and overall health make it worthwhile.
2. Bath With Some Oatmeal
Studies have found that colloidal oatmeal is not only a safe, but also effective ingredient in numerous personal care products, but you can reap the benefits right out of your own kitchen. The great thing about oatmeal is that very few people experience irritation when using it, and it packs moisturizing, anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties.
To prepare an oatmeal bath, first blend a single cup of dry oatmeal using a blender or food processor. Once you have a fine powder, scatter it into your bathtub along with running water. Ensure that the mixture is evenly distributed, and then enjoy a good 15 to 20-minute soak.
Oatmeal also makes for an effective face mask when combined with honey and milk. Mix three tablespoons of milk with one teaspoon of honey and one quarter-cup milk before applying it to your face. Rinse with cold water after 20 minutes, and repeat the process up to twice a week.
3. Apply Milk To Dry Skin
Everyone knows the tales of the luxurious milk baths that Cleopatra took to keep her skin looking young and healthy, but it turns out that there are some real benefits to this practice. Of course, filling your bathtub to the brim with milk is expensive, wasteful and unhygienic, but luckily you don’t have to go to such lengths.
To benefit from the soothing and anti-inflammatory properties of milk you simply need to apply it to your dry skin for a few minutes. The most practical way to do this is by soaking a cloth in cold milk and then placing it on your skin.
Don’t forget to wash the milk off afterwards to prevent bacteria breeding on the skin. Keep this up to exfoliate your skin and increase its moisture retaining abilities.
4. Massage Yogurt Into Your Skin
Like milk, yogurt is another great natural remedy to take care of skin that is dry and itchy. This is thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It can even help with dry skin that is caused by germs or bacteria, because of its lactic acid content.
For the best results, use fresh yogurt and apply it to face, hands and other patches of dry skin. Gently massage the yogurt into the skin, and then leave it for about ten minutes. After ten minutes, take a cold shower or bath.
5. Rub On Coconut Oil
To make up for the moisture your skin loses, apply coconut oil, as it is packed with fatty acids. Warm up some coconut oil, and then slather your body before going to bed. Wash the oil off when you wake up in the morning, and after daily use of this routine you’ll find that your skin becomes more smooth and soft.
The coconut oil can also be applied after your shower or bath for easier absorption. As an additional benefit, coconut oil is great for taking care of breakouts, thanks to its antibacterial properties.
6. Help Your Skin To Some Honey
Because of all its humectant, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties you will struggle to find a more efficient natural moisturizer than honey. Apart from all the essential vitamins and minerals it contains that improve the health of your skin, it is also able to lock in moisture. The result is skin that looks and feels smooth and soft.
Since honey is very sticky, it is best applied before taking a shower or bath. Apply the honey all over your skin, and then wash it off after about five to ten minutes. Also, make sure that you use raw and unfiltered honey for the best results. Don’t worry about being a sticky mess afterwards, either, as honey washes off very cleanly with water.
7. Put On A Curd Face Mask
Say goodbye to dry skin and hello to soft, radiant skin with a curd face mask. Curd contains plenty of antioxidants and has anti-bacterial properties as well, which makes it a natural choice for taking care of dry skin.
To create a curd face mask, mix the curd with some honey and a couple of lime juice drops, and then apply it to your skin. Rinse the mask off after ten minutes and your skin should feel much better.
8. Fix Yourself A Fruity Face Mask
Curd is not the only thing in your kitchen that can work wonders for dry skin when turned into a face mask. Avocado and papaya are two well-known fruits that should be on everyone’s home remedy list for dry skin. To leave your skin soft and glowing, mash together a slice of papaya, one banana and one avocado.
Apply the mixture to your face, and leave it on your skin for twenty minutes before rinsing it off. You’ll find that the vitamin A in avocados is excellent for removing dead ski
n cells while its glutamine cleanses. It is little wonder that avocado oil is such a popular component of beauty products.
9. Moisturize With Olive And Castor Oil
Castor oil not only penetrates the skin much deeper than other oils, but also has cleansing properties, which is a boon for taking care of dry skin. Mix together a teaspoon of castor oil with three teaspoons of olive oil, and apply the mixture to the skin on your face.
Cover your face with a warm wash cloth, and leave it in place until the oil has soaked into your dry skin. This process can be performed daily.
