DRY SKIN HOME REMEDIES TO TRY

Whip Up an Olive Oil Moisturizer to Soothe Dry Skin:

 

If you need extra moisture fast  extra-virgin olive oil as an alternative to your moisturizer — but only if you’re in a pinch.

Olive oil contains vitamin E, antioxidants, squalene, and other properties that repair damaged skin. This may not be a good choice for acne-prone skin, because of the risk of clogging your pores.

Before applying olive oil directly to your skin, double-check whether this solution is right for you by consulting a dermatologist. As research published in December 2017 by the International Journal of Molecular Sciences notes, olive oil may reduce inflammation, but applying it topically on its own may damage your skin barrier.

If you decide to try olive oil, Adell recommends a pure, or regular, form that isn’t refined with other oils, and to use it sparingly, such as applying a few drops to a face mask, or massaging the oil into extremely dry areas like your elbows.

 Make a Natural Coconut Oil and Sugar Scrub:

To treat dead skin cells that might be giving your skin a dry texture and appearance, you may consider a gentle homemade sugar scrub. Michigan State University recommends combining 1 cup of brown or granulated sugar with ½ cup of coconut oil. If you want, you can add an essential oil like lavender, which lends a natural fragrance and may promote relaxation and decrease anxiety, as a randomized controlled trial in the January 2022 Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine suggested. Gently rub the scrub into your skin for up to 30 seconds, then wash it off with lukewarm water.  A soothing moisturizer  afterwards locks in the benefits of freshly exfoliated skin.

Keep in mind that physical, or mechanical, exfoliation of this type may not be suitable for all skin types.  Scrubs  are abbsolute no for irritated, acne-prone, or sensitive skin.

Use of sugar scrubs on sensitive skin, especially on the face should be done very cautiously. The skin on your face is far more delicate than your body, so physical exfoliation can easily cause irritation and sensitivity.

Create an Easy Oatmeal Soak to Calm Your Skin:

A cup of oatmeal in a warm bath can naturally rehydrate dry skin.The oat product itself is soothing,” she explains, and it helps your skin retain moisture from the bathwater. Or, for a mess-free soak, tie the oats to your faucet in pantyhose and run your bathwater through them.

If you have eczema, oatmeal may offer relief from dry, inflamed, or irritated skin associated with both atopic and contact dermatitis In a  double-blind study published in March 2020 in Clinical Cosmetic, and Investigational Dermatology, researchers observed that colloidal oatmeal treated hand eczema with its anti-inflammatory, soothing, and protective effects.

Exfoliate Your Face With a Homemade Oatmeal Honey Mask:

Oatmeal makes a great exfoliator or mask, too. Mix 2 tablespoons of oats with 1 tablespoon of honey and a dash of water. You can use it just to exfoliate and wash it off right away, or leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes as a soothing, hydrating mask. As a review in the October 2021 Open Life Sciences pointed out, honey may have antimicrobial properties that may also help accelerate wound healing.

Apply Coconut Oil Before Bedtime:

Coconut oil, which a review in the July 2022 Journal of Drugs in Dermatology noted has roots in African and Indian cultures, is a popular home treatment for healthy hair and skin. Coconut oil becomes a solid at room temperature, so use it as a moisturizing cream at bedtime or anytime.

Use Milk Compresses for Irritated Skin:

Milk has natural anti-inflammatory properties. It also contains lactic acid, a mild, natural exfoliant. In a 14-day controlled study published in the August 2020 Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, the use of a lactic-acid and ceramide-containing lotion twice daily was found to significantly improve skin hydration while eliminating dead skin cells, which suggests lactic-acid products may provide exfoliating benefits. That said, longer-term research is needed to confirm these results.

Additionally lactic acid is “one of the most hydrating [alpha-hydroxy acids] on the market.

To make a milk compress soak a clean cloth (like a washcloth or a towel) in a bowl of cool milk, and holding it in place over any dry areas.  Using these compresses on your skin for 5 to 10 minutes at a time. It’s especially helpful for irritated skin that’s itchy, too.

Lactic acid can sting cracked skin, though, so use with caution. Feeling mild tingling is common, but if you experience burning, stop using it . While research in the September 2018 Dermatologic Therapy notes that lactic acid may be beneficial in restoring the skin barrier and treating related conditions such as eczema, you may want to avoid this remedy if you have an active flare-up with cracked skin.

Apply Aloe Vera to Dry, Irritated Skin:

While often thought of as sunburn relief, aloe vera gel can be helpful during the dry winter months, too. It works by alleviating redness and irritation related to excess dryness, and it can even decrease signs of aging, as well as acne breakouts and skin injuries, according to previous research. Some people develop allergic contact dermatitis, a type of eczema, to aloe, so you may want to perform a patch test before you apply it to a large area of skin.

Use Honey as a Spot Treatment for Dry Patches:

Honey has emollient and humectant effects that can soften your skin and help it retain moisture, according to past research. It’s also an alternative treatment for a variety of skin conditions, including dermatitis, psoriasis, and dandruff.

Honey, and especially manuka honey, is also effective at healing wounds, according to research: It’s naturally antimicrobial, keeps the affected area moist, and has a thick consistency that works as a barrier against infection.

These properties make honey a good base for face mask recipes, and it can be a powerful spot treatment for patches of dry, irritated skin. For best results, apply honey in small amounts to your face. Leave on for several minutes before rinsing it off.

Brew Tea Bags to Soothe Inflammation:

Black and green tea bags can have a cooling and anti-inflammatory effect on your skin, while black tea bags may help balance your skin’s natural pH level.

The caffeine in these teas may help with under eye circles by safely shrinking blood vessels in this delicate area of skin, says Adell. She recommends applying a cool wet tea bag under each eye for 5 to 10 minutes.

A small study published in the December 2019 Journal of Dermatological Treatment looked at the effect of 20-minute gauze compresses soaked in weak, room-temperature black tea, followed by an emollient cream, on 22 people with facial atopic dermatitis. After three days of five compresses a day, participants saw an improvement in their skin symptoms, with no noticeable side effects.

As for the possible benefits of brewed herbal tea bags, Chamomile may reduce inflammation and irritation. It relaxes irritated skin tissue and can be used for alleviating itchy skin, rashes, and flaky skin. Placing brewed, cooled chamomile onto your skin for up to 30 minutes is a good practice.