All Natural Way to Treat Dry Skin

1. Change your shower temperature

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Sometimes you can get dry skin relief from the simplest of things. If you’re having hot showers on the reg, it might be time to switch up your routine. Turn your shower temperature down to warm instead of boiling, as this will avoid scalding the skin and causing damage. It’s also a good idea to take shorter showers too.

2. Coconut oil

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Coconut oil is a miracle ingredient. It’s a natural emollient, which means it will fill the spaces between skin cells, creating a super-smooth surface. As coconut oil is really gentle, it’s safe to use every day, so don’t be afraid to slather it all over. You can even use it on sensitive areas like around your eyes and mouth.

3. Petroleum jelly

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Some studies have shown that petroleum jelly can alleviate dry patches of skin, especially in older adults. Petroleum jelly is a mineral oil, which covers the skin with a protective layer. This protective layer then locks in the moisture underneath. Just be sure to do a patch test before you coat your body in it!

4. Oatmeal baths

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As common folk remedies go, this one is up there with the best of them. Colloidal oatmeal has been a fail-safe treatment for dry skin for centuries now, as it contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Blitz up some oatmeal in a food processor, and then stir into warm water. This should relieve any itchiness you’ve got going on.

5. Wear gloves

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Thanks to environmental irritants like soap and washing up liquid, our hands can get dried out super quickly. So when your hands are in the water, try and get in the habit of wearing gloves, which will reduce your chances of your skin getting irritated. You should do the same when you’re out in the cold and doing extreme household chores like DIY.

6. Antioxidants

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If your skin is dried out, it means you’ll be exposing it to elements that can damage your skin faster than it can repair them. This is why eating antioxidants is a great idea, as they will help you minimise damage to your cells. Foods like blueberries are packed with antioxidants, as well as tomatoes and lentils.

7. Omega-3s

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Foods rich is omega-3 fatty acids like salmon, mackerel and other oily fish are thought be help your skin. They can regulate the skin’s oil production and improve hydration, some even say they can have a soothing effect on irritation and dermatitis. If you’re not a fish fan, you can have foods like walnuts and kidney beans.

8. Use a humidifier

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Dry air in your home can irritate your skin, so try and get hold of a humidifier. Electric and gas heat can strip moisture from the air, but a humidifier set at 60 can offset this (according to Harvard Medical School anyway!). Humidifiers are a more pricey investment, but it can really help calm your skin, especially during winter.

9. Avoid chlorine

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Chlorine is a known irritant to skin. Like your hair, your skin contains natural oils that help it stay hydrated and smooth. When you spend time in pools with chlorine in, these oils get stripped away from your skin and open up your pores, which means your skin can get super dry. This can result in rashes, dry patches and in some cases, burns.

10. Sunflower seed oil

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Sunflower seed oil is pretty good at moisturizing your skin. Multiple studies have shown that it can improve hydration when used as a moisturizer, and it’s actually way more effective than natural oils like olive oil. Gently massage a small amount of sunflower seed oil into those dry patches for instant hydration.

11. Honey

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Honey has long been known for its healing properties. There are tons of studies out there that have found honey to be a natural moisturizer, as well as an anti-inflammatory. You can get plenty of beauty products with honey in them, but you can also apply it directly to the skin to soothe those dry and itchy patches.

12. Drinking milk

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This might sound like a more experimental method, but stay with us. Various health studies have found that drinking milk can actually help dry skin; because milk contains a fat called phospholipid, it can improve the skin barrier. Just don’t apply milk directly to your skin, as this won’t have the same effect.

13. Aloe vera

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As natural skin solutions go, this one is an absolute classic. Aloe vera gel (or the gooey bit from inside the leaves of an aloe vera plant) has been proven to relieve dry skin and itchy patches. If it’s your hands that are the problem, apply a generous helping of gel before bed and put some gloves on. This will help lock in the moisture.

14. Don't rub your skin too hard when towel drying

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All too often, we end up rubbing our skin with a towel after we get out of the bath or shower. Let us tell you now – this is NOT good for your skin. Your skin can dry out in the water anyway, so rubbing it with a towel really isn’t going to help your poor, parched skin. Pat dry instead and apply a gentle moisturizer.

15. Avocado masks

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Get stuck into some DIY beauty with a homemade avocado mask. Avocado is packed full of antioxidants and probiotics, so it helps promote hydrated, glowing skin. Mix some mashed avo with Greek yogurt and honey, and leave it on your skin for around ten minutes. Wash off with some warm water. You can also add avocado to your diet to improve your skin’s elasticity.

16. Use black and green tea bags

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According to the Cincinnati Health Institute, green and black tea bags can actually have a cooling, anti-inflammatory effect on your skin. As if that wasn’t enough, black tea bags can also help balance your skin’s natural pH level. Apply a cool wet tea bag (or leaves if you’re feeling brave!) under the eyes, and leave for about five to ten minutes.

17. Stop using blunt razors

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If you’re struggling with dry, irritated skin on your face and body, it might be an idea to assess the current state of your razor. Blunt razor blades can cause a LOT of irritation – especially if you’re not using the right kind of shaving gel or foam. Swap them for some new ones, and invest in some gentle foam or gel.

18. Limit your baths and showers

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Keen to find an inexpensive way to soothe your skin? Try limiting the number of baths and showers you take to just one a day. You might also want to think about how much time you’re spending in there! 10 minutes is probably the maximum time you can have before your skin starts drying out – any longer and you’ll strip away the skin’s natural oily layer.

19. Stop scratching

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Yep. You know you shouldn’t do it, but you go ahead and do it anyway. But these scratching habits are causing a LOT of damage to your skin, and you can end up with cuts, rashes, and even bruising. Use an intensive moisturizer to soothe those itchy spots, or apply a cool ice pack or compress to the affected area.

20. Minimise your use of soaps

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There are tons of soaps out there that can really dry your skin out, including deodorant soaps, perfumed soaps and alcohol products, which can end up stripping away your skin’s natural oils. Try and monitor how much soap you’re using, and buy one that’s full of moisturizer. You can also opt for a soap-free cleanser.

21. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize

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Whenever you have a bath or shower, or even when you wash your hands, apply a moisturizer straight away. It might seem a little over the top, but you need to plug the gap between your skin cells and seal in moisture while your skin is still damp. This will help improve the health of your skin. You’ll thank us later!

22. Curb bath sponges and brushes

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If you’re a big fan of a bath sponge or brush, you might want to curb your use of them. They can really damage your skin, which means it will quickly get dry and irritated. If you’re still keen to use them, try and use a lighter touch, and avoid using them every day. This will give your skin a chance to repair itself.

23. Use fragrance-free laundry detergent

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If you have naturally sensitive skin, you might want to take a closer look at what kind of laundry detergent you’re using. If you find that your skin is more irritated than usual, it’s a really good idea to switch to a fragrance-free detergent, as it will contain fewer chemicals and irritants. It’s also helpful to avoid fabric softeners.

24. Stop wearing wool

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While wool hasn’t technically been found to be an allergen, its coarse fibers can irritate skin – especially skin that’s already sensitive. If you’re a fan of a thick winter jumper, be sure to check the material before you buy it. If it’s a bit scratchy, you can guarantee that your skin is NOT going to get on well with it.

25. Jojoba oil

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If you have dry or combination skin, jojoba oil is your new best friend. It’s amazing at softening skin, balancing oil and reducing flakiness, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory too. You can cleanse your skin daily with jojoba oil – just wet your face with warm water and gently rub the oil into your skin. Rinse your face with a washcloth and voila!

26. Almond oil

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Almond oil has been used for centuries in Chinese culture, as it’s pretty amazing at relieving dry skin. It has moisturizing properties, and it can make your skin smooth and supple. Many with acne and spot-prone skin have also found it beneficial, so you really can’t go wrong with it! Apply a small amount to your skin in the morning and before you go to bed.

27. Stop using skin products that contain alcohol

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If you’re finding that your skin is getting irritated and flaky, it’s a good idea to take a closer look at the skin products you’re currently using. Products that can contain alcohol can dry your skin out, so ditch them for gentle products that are kinder to your skin. The only product that absolutely needs alcohol in it is hand sanitizer.

28. Stop cozying up to open heat sources

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We know how nice it feels to snuggle up to a fireplace or heater, but getting too close can actually cause problems for your skin. Placing yourself next to a heat source means your skin can dry out real quick, so be sure to distance yourself from heat sources when you can. It’s also a good idea to moisturize after your skin has been exposed.

29. Apply yogurt to your skin

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Trust us on this one. Apply some natural yogurt to those dry, itchy patches, and leave it on for ten to fifteen minutes. Gently rinse off with warm water, and you’ll have smooth, soft skin. Plain yogurt is great at moisturizing skin, and it works as an anti-inflammatory. You can also use Greek yogurt if you prefer.

30. Drink more water

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One super easy way to ease dry skin? Drink more water! According to health studies, you should ideally be drinking 2 liters of water each day, which will help keep your skin hydrated. It’s also a good idea to ditch or reduce your alcohol intake, as this causes your skin to lose fluid, making it more prone to drying out.