Home Remedies for dry Skin

Having dry skin is irritating. It doesn't just matter the type of weather, but worry not because every problem has solution and it is ok to have this, all you need to do is to embrace it and everything will work out for you.

Let me start by briefly explanation what dry skin is? Dry skin is a condition in which the skin lacks moisture and becomes rough, itchy, flaky, or scaly. It can affect people of all ages and have various causes, such as cold or dry weather, sun damage, harsh soaps, medications and vitamin deficiency. Now let us have a look at the similar causes of dry skin so to get a clear understanding:

Heat. Central heating, wood-burning stoves, space heaters and fireplaces all reduce humidity.

Environment. Living in cold, windy conditions or low-humidity climates.

Too much bathing or scrubbing. Taking long, hot showers or baths or scrubbing your skin too much can dry your skin. Bathing more than once a day can remove the natural oils from your skin too.

Harsh soaps and detergents. Many popular soaps, detergents and shampoos strip moisture from your skin because they are formulated to remove oil.

Other skin conditions. People with skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis (eczema) or psoriasis are more likely to have dry skin.

Medical treatments. Some people develop dry, thick skin after undergoing treatment for cancer, receiving dialysis or taking certain medications.

Aging. As people age, the skin thins and produces less of the oils needed for the skin to retain water.

What we don’t know is that dry skin can be a side effect of cancer treatment like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, target therapy, and stem cell transplant. Management of dry skin includes using moisturizers, avoiding things that make the symptoms worse, and protecting your skin until it returns to normal. There is another important tip follow; drink more water!

Drink at least eight to ten large glasses of water per day, if you can. Clear soups, herbal teas, and smoothies that include water also count towards your daily water intake.

Understanding Your Skin Type

The symptoms of dry skin can vary depending on the severity of the condition. Common symptoms include itching, flaking, scaling, redness, and tightness of the skin. In severe cases, the skin can become cracked, and bleeding may occur. To spot these symptoms, it is essential to pay attention to how your skin looks and feels. You can also consult a dermatologist if you are unsure about the severity of your dry skin condition.

Aside from the physical symptoms, dry skin can also cause discomfort and affect your quality of life. It can lead to a lack of confidence, especially if the dryness is visible on your face or hands.

Dry skin can also make it difficult to apply makeup or wear certain types of clothing, such as wool or synthetic fabrics. Additionally, dry skin can also be caused by environmental factors such as cold weather, low humidity, and exposure to harsh chemicals. It is important to protect your skin from these factors by using moisturizers, avoiding hot showers, and wearing protective clothing when necessary.

Sometimes to determine whether you have dry skin or not can be confusing, so, to be able to know when you have one you do an experiment called “Assessing Severity”. Let me show show you some of the steps to take:

Do a simple pinch test at home to determine your skin’s hydration levels. Take a small portion of your skin around the cheek area and squeeze lightly. If you notice any wrinkling and if the skin doesn’t bounce back after you let go, then your skin may be dehydrated.

Use the skin pinch test to measure the skin's elasticity, or its ability to stretch and bounce back. It can also be used as a way to assess dehydration.

Quantify skin surface topography and the mechanical properties of skin to characterize a dry skin condition.

Inspect the skin at least daily, or more often if high risk, using a risk assessment tool, such as the Braden Scale. Bathe with mild soap and warm water, limiting friction. Use incontinence skin cleansing methods as needed. Avoid shear and friction by using careful positioning, turning, and transferring techniques.

With this, be rest assured that you will be able to determine if you have dry skin or not, or you can also consult the Dermatologist.

Home Remedies for Dry Skin

We have natural products you can use and these include coconut oil, shea nut which is extremely good and I recommend it to everyone, petroleum jelly, oatmeal baths, and many more. I am going to show you some of the natural home made remedies or recipes you can try at home to soothe your dry skin:

Oatmeal is a common folk remedy for irritated skin, colloidal oatmeal has antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that soothe irritation. This remedy is especially effective if you’re seeking to relieve itching. After you’ve taken an oatmeal bath, make sure you moisturize your skin to lock in the barrier.

You can make an oatmeal bath at home. Use a food processor to chop oatmeal into a fine powder, then stir it into warm water. You can also try one of the many commercial products available to make an oatmeal soak.

Petroleum jelly, also known as mineral oil, covers the skin in a protective layer. It traps moisture underneath. This helps heal dry, irritated skin patches.

Coconut oil has emollient properties which fills the spaces between skin cells, creating a smooth surface. That’s why the saturated fatty acids that occur naturally in coconut oil can hydrate and smooth the skin. You can use coconut oil daily on even the most sensitive parts of your body. These include the area underneath your eyes and around your mouth. Another advantage of coconut oil is that you don’t need to mix it with anything. Coconut is gentle enough for substantial everyday use.

You can also eat foods rich in antioxidants and Omega-3. Some of the foods include, blueberries, tomatoes, carrots, peas, lentils etc.

Additional Tips

To avoid harsh products on dry skin, you should try as much as possible to Avoid heavy products like oil-based lotions, moisturizers, and sunscreens,only cleanse the face once per day, avoid exfoliating, which can dry out the skin, go easy on drying ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, and limit contact with irritants or harsh chemicals.

You can also practice exfoliation by avoiding mechanical exfoliation on your dry skin, because the process involves drying which can lead to microtears at the end of the day, AHAs are also effective for dry skin. Glycolic acid will help remove dead cells sitting on the surface of the skin and encourages healthy skin turnover, you could also use a pumice stone to gently remove all dead skin cells, try and wet and lather the dry area thoroughly, then rub the dry area with the pumice stone and the last one is rinse the area and dry off your skin , the moisturize your skin.

Final Thoughts

Dry skin can itch, flake, crack, or even bleed. It’s important to treat dry skin because your skin protects you from the environment and infections. You can treat your dry skin by taking steps to prevent dryness, moisturizing, and adding moisture to your home. Being conscious of the skin barrier and what it needs to stay healthy can help people take the necessary steps to prevent this uncomfortable condition. In fact, maintaining a healthy skin barrier daily is one of the best ways to prevent outbreaks of dry skin.

Another essential skincare tip is to use a moisturizing sunscreen every day to prevent skin damage and dryness. Make sure to wear loose-fitting, cotton clothing that draws sweat away from the skin when you’re exposed to high temperatures or skin-irritating conditions.

Remember that extremely dry skin can be an indication of a more serious condition. If home remedies aren’t helping, you may need to see a doctor to get a prescription treatment to relieve your dry skin.

Recommended Books:

Skin Rules: Trade Secrets from a Top New York Dermatologist by Debra Jaliman

Natural Beauty Recipe Book: How to Make Your Own Organic Cosmetics and Beauty Products by Gill Farrer-Halls

The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood

➡️ I've compiled an effective natural skincare e-guide to help with common skin conditions. Download it here.