Tired of dry and flaky skin? It is a common skin condition which is quite normal during winters. Most of the times, dry skin or xerosis is caused by aging, environmental factors, genetic predisposition, harsh chemicals, hot showers, and nutritional deficiencies. It might also be caused due to several medical conditions such as psoriasis, diabetes, eczema and hypothyroidism.
Supermarkets offer myriad of moisturizers, body lotions and soaps that claim to provide a moisturized and smooth skin. While being costly, most of them do not work the way their manufacturers have claimed and need to be applied multiple times a day. Fortunately, several common ingredients can help you in getting rid of your dry skin. These home remedies are easy-to-do, inexpensive and can help you in achieving that a healthy and naturally moisturized skin easily at your home. Remember that prolonged dry skin can be an indication of yet another health condition. If these home remedies do not work for you, it is important to visit a dermatologist immediately for figuring out the exact cause and initiating a proper treatment.
There are several home remedies for treating dry skin naturally:
1. Milk Cream
Milk cream is the top butterfat layer skimmed from the milk before homogenization. It contains lactic acid that helps in natural exfoliation and moisturization of dry skin. The milk cream soothes the dry skin, and also helps in maintaining skin’s natural pH balance.
Ingredients:
- Three teaspoons milk cream
- One teaspoon milk
- Three tablespoons gram flour
- Half a teaspoon lemon juice
How to use it:
Method-1:
- Add one teaspoon milk and half a teaspoon lemon juice to two teaspoons of milk cream and mix thoroughly.
- Apply the paste over legs and hands.
- Let it stay for around half an hour.
- Wash off the paste with lukewarm water.
- Repeat this process daily.
Method-2:
- Mix three teaspoons of milk cream to three tablespoons of gram flour to form a thick paste.
- Apply this paste over the face, legs, and hands.
- Let it stay for around half an hour.
- Repeat this process daily for smooth and moisturized skin.
2. Olive Oil
Olive oil contains adequate amount of vitamin E, several healthy fats, and anti-oxidants. It can provide you a naturally moisturized and smooth skin. Olive oil has several health and skin benefits. You can either consume it or topically apply on the skin.
Ingredients:
- Two tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- One tablespoon raw honey
- Three tablespoons fine brown sugar
How to use it:
Method-1:
- After bathing, dab a thin layer of extra virgin olive oil all over your skin.
- Apply a light moisturizer over the same.
- Repeat the process daily.
Method-2:
- Mix two tablespoons of olive oil, one tablespoon of raw honey and three tablespoons fine brown sugar to form a smooth paste.
- Apply this homemade scrub over your skin in circular motions.
- Massage the affected areas for a few minutes.
- Let it stay for around 20 minutes.
- Wash the scrub off with lukewarm water.
- Apply a moisturizer after this process.
- Repeat this process twice a week for best results.
3. Milk
Milk contains essential fats, proteins and nutrients that can soothe a dry skin. It also contains necessary amount of lactic acid that increases skin’s ability to retain moisture by gently exfoliating the skin. It might be useful in relieving itchy skin. Additionally, it helps in lightening skin’s complexion.
Ingredients:
- Four tablespoons of milk
- Half a teaspoon rose water
How to use it:
Method-1:
- Soak a soft cotton cloth in milk.
- Put this cloth over the affected skin areas for around ten minutes.
- Wash the milk off with another wet cloth soaked in lukewarm water.
- Repeat this process daily for getting a smooth and moisturized skin.
Method-2:
- Mix a teaspoon of rose water into four tablespoons of milk.
- Apply this mixture all over your body.
- Let it stay for around 15-20 minutes.
- Wash the solution off with cold water.
- Repeat this process two times a day.
4. Yogurt
Yogurt is an excellent natural moisturizer and also provides gentle skin exfoliation. It has several anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties that soothe a dry and itchy skin. Like other milk products, it is an excellent source of lactic acid that helps in killing any kind of bacteria or germs.
Ingredients:
- Half a cup of fresh yogurt
- Three tablespoons blended or mashed papaya
- Half a teaspoon raw honey
- Half a teaspoon lemon juice
How to use it:
Method-1:
- Apply a generous amount of yogurt all over your face, legs, and hands.
- Let it stay for around 15 minutes.
- Wash the yogurt off by showering in lukewarm water.
- Repeat this process daily.
Method-2:
- Mix three tablespoons blended or mashed papaya, half a teaspoon of each raw honey and lemon juice into half a cup of fresh yogurt.
- Mix it thoroughly to form a smooth paste.
- Apply the paste over your skin and let it stay for around 15 minutes.
- Wash the paste off by lukewarm water.
- Repeat this process once a week.
5. Honey
Honey is an excellent natural humectant with several anti-microbial and anti-oxidant properties. It helps in improving skin’s health by providing various minerals and vitamins. Honey helps in locking moisture content of the skin.
Ingredients:
- Half a cup of raw honey
- Two tablespoons beeswax (melted)
- Two tablespoons olive oil
How to use it:
Method-1:
- Apply honey all over your skin 10 minutes before bathing.
- Leave it on for 10 minutes or so.
- Repeat the process daily for well moisturized and smooth skin.
Method-2:
- Mix two tablespoons each of melted beeswax, olive oil and honey to form a smooth paste.
- Apply this mixture all over the affected skin areas.
- Let it stay for at-least 10 minutes.
- Repeat this process daily or every alternate day.
6. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is an excellent home remedy to naturally treat dry and itchy skin. It has essential fatty acids which can help in restoring lost moisture of dry skin. Coconut oil also soothes the skin and relieves itching.
Ingredients:
- Four tablespoons coconut oil
How to use it:
Method-1:
- Apply a coconut oil over your skin before sleeping.
- Wash off the coconut oil with lukewarm water next morning.
- Repeat this process daily for naturally hydrated and smooth skin.
Method-2:
- Apply coconut oil after showering as the skin after a shower is supple and warm, hence it absorbs the oil better.
- Repeat this process daily.
7. Oatmeal
Oatmeal can also be used to effectively treat your dry skin. The high protein content in oatmeal helps in providing a protective layer to the skin and retaining the moisture content. Oatmeal has several anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that will provide required skin benefits.
Ingredients:
- One cup finely ground oatmeal
- Few drops of lavender essential oil
- One mashed ripe banana
How to use it:
Method-1:
- Pour a cup of finely ground oatmeal in a bathtub filled with warm water.
- Add a few drops of lavender essential oil.
- Soak this in water for around half an hour.
- Repeat the process once in a week.
Method-2:
- Mix one mashed banana with a cup of finely ground oatmeal and add lukewarm water to form a smooth mixture.
- Apply this mixture over the affected skin areas.
- Let it stay for around 15 minutes.
- Rinse the mixture off with cold water.
- Repeat this process once every week for moisturized and smooth skin.
8. Avocado
Avocados are loaded with vitamins, antioxidants and essential fatty acids that help in improving your skin from inside. They are rich in vitamin A that helps in restoring moisture content and maintaining skin’s appearance. You should consume avocados daily to get that flawless and moisturized skin.
Ingredients:
- One mashed ripe avocado
- Half a cup honey
How to use it:
Method-1:
- Apply mashed avocado to the affected skin areas.
- Let it stay for around 10 to 15 minutes.
- Wash the paste off with cold water.
- Repeat this process daily till your skin starts improving.
Method-2:
- Mix one mashed ripe avocado in half a cup of honey to form a smooth paste.
- Apply this mixture on your face, hands, and legs.
- Let it stay for around 10 to 15 minutes.
- Repeat the process only once or twice every week.
9. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has several anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and soothing properties that help in preventing dry and flaky skin. It is an effective home remedy that will help you in getting a naturally moisturized skin. Aloe Vera forms a protective layer over the skin and helps in retaining necessary moisture. It also prevents dust and oil buildup over the skin.
Ingredients:
- One aloe vera leaf
How to use it:
- Extract Aloe Vera gel by cutting open the leaf.
- Apply this gel over the face, hands, and legs.
- Let it stay for around 20 minutes.
- Repeat the process twice daily to have smooth and moisturized skin.
10. Almond Oil
Almond oil is a rich source of several antioxidants and vitamin E content. It is one of the most trusted home remedies for treating dry skin naturally. Almond oil provides necessary moisture and lubrication to the dry skin. It is a non-greasy oil which is easily absorbed by the skin. In addition, this oil also helps in reducing aging signs such as wrinkles and fine lines. Almond oil has myriad of skin and health benefits.
Ingredients:
- Two tablespoons almond oil
- Little amount of moisturizer
- A glass of warm milk
How to use it:
Method-1:
- Heat two tablespoons of almond oil in a bowl.
- Apply this oil over the affected skin areas.
- Let it for around half an hour.
- Wash off the oil with lukewarm water.
- Apply a moisturizer after washing off the oil.
- Repeat this process daily.
Method-2:
- Add one teaspoon of almond oil to a glass of warm milk.
- Drink this milk every night before sleeping to get better sleep and skin.
