Dry skin remedies: how to get rid of dry skin naturally

After moisturisers, oils are probably the first thing that comes to mind when we talk about dry skin remedies. Apart from replenishing the lost moisture of the skin, natural oils also act as anti-inflammatory and antioxidants thus helping you fight off skin ageing and inflammation.

And the best part is there are a number of oils that can help you do that. Let us have a look at them one by one along with the scientific studies that confirm their usefulness.

Coconut oil

It would be wrong to start a skin care list with any other oil. Coconut oil is the best moisturiser you can provide your skin with, it ranks next to olive oil in its lipid penetration properties and also improves skin barrier function. This means that your skin would be able to take up and retain more water to the deeper layers which would make it look more soft, supple and healthy. This is because of the presence of long chain and essential fatty acids in coconut oil.

If ageing is what is causing your skin to lose its precious moisture, coconut oil has a solution. Enriched with antioxidants, it reduces metabolic stress to your skin and helps rejuvenate and heal it quickly.

Sunflower oil

If coconut oil is a boon to your skin, even sunflower oil doesn’t lag behind. Research evidence suggests that the oil obtained from sunflower seeds enhances skin barrier, thereby reducing water loss from your skin. Furthermore, linoleic acid present in it reduces inflammation by activating certain receptors, making sure that you do not suffer from dry skin due to skin inflammatory conditions like eczema. It is even safe for babies.

Almond oil

Just like the previous two, almond oil is an emollient as well which makes the skin look more supple and smooth. In fact, it is an age-old remedy used for the treatment of dry skin conditions. Being a rich source of vitamin E it is a perfect anti ageing treatment, thus reducing another risk factor of dry skin. It further protects your skin from UV damage and helps maintain the skin structure.  

Other oils like castor oil and jojoba oil also have scientifically proven emollient properties. Canola oil has been found to reduce skin irritation caused due to sodium lauryl sulphates, present in some detergents.

How to use: Using oils is quite easy for relieving dry skin conditions. Just dab a bit of oil on the dry tissue and gently rub it in. You can also replace your moisturiser entirely with oils.

How long and how frequently you can use oils: Coconut oil and sunflower oil can be applied 2-3 times a day but keep tabs on your almond oil use as it contains a lot of vitamin E. Instead of using a lot of almond oil, just put in 3-5 drops in your moisturising oil and reap its benefits.

Honey is the panacea for all your skin problems. It is a traditional treatment for dry skin and has been proven as a humectant. Humectants are the substances that pull out water from the lower layers of the skin to the epidermis and also suck in excess humidity from the air. A natural moisturiser that has a brain of its own? Well, it has hygroscopic (water attracting) substances that take in water from wherever they can.

How to use honey

So, you know honey is good for your skin, you can’t just go outside with all the stickiness on your face, right? Here is what you can do instead.

• Take a spoonful of honey and mix it with a mashed avocado.
• Give it a thinner consistency with some rose water and make a paste.
• With your hands or a brush, apply a thin layer of this paste on dry skin regions.
• Let it sit for about 15 minutes.
• Wash it off with some lukewarm water.
• Gently pat dry with a washcloth.

How frequently you can use honey

You can use honey twice every day to get the best results. Though if you can’t, it is okay to apply it once a day.

Glycerine is another humectant, which is as good as honey in its moisturising and protective benefits for your skin. It is as easily available and has been proven to be an excellent moisturiser for skin in clinical studies. In fact, a lot of commercial creams and lotions have glycerine at its base to lock in moisture. So what are you waiting for?

How to use

The easiest and best way to use glycerine is mixing it along with some rose water and applying a thin layer of this solution on the dry skin areas. You can use a cotton ball instead of your fingers.

Alternatively, you can make a face mask using glycerine, honey, some rose water and a dash of turmeric and enjoy clearer and softer looking skin.

How frequently you can use it

Clinical studies suggest using glycerine at least once every 24 hours, for about a month to get rid of dry skin problems.

Milk is the perfect nourishment for your body. It is quite obvious that your skin would be getting some of those benefits too. Interestingly, it is one the best-kept beauty secret of Cleopatra, one of the most beautiful women to ever exist. Though it is a bit frowned upon for being acne promoting agent in the scientific community, using it in moderate and low proportions could actually help improve skin moisture. Additionally, it has antioxidants which prevent age-related skin damage along with the harmful effects of sun rays.

How to use

To use milk safely, you can mix it with some other natural products and make a moisturising and revitalising face pack. Here is how:

• Take 5-8 tsp of milk in a clean bowl.
• Add half a tsp of honey and about a pinch of turmeric to it.
• Mix all of the ingredients together to get a uniform consistency.
• Apply a thin and even layer on your skin.
• Let it sit for 15 minutes and wash with lukewarm water.

If you are not fond of the milk smell, you can add a drop or two of an essential oil like primrose or lavender to mask it.

How frequently can you use it

You can use this pack once or twice a day depending on your convenience.

While petroleum jelly may not be the best hydrant for your skin, it is perfect to keep the moisture locked in and prevent water loss in the form of vapours. What’s more, it is easily available near your local store.

How to use

To get the moisture locking benefits of petroleum jelly simply put a layer over your skin right after you have a bath. It is safe to be applied on dry lips too.

If dry feet and hands are your problem, then you can put a layer of moisturiser every time after you wash your hands and a layer of petroleum jelly over it. Do not overdo it though since it may block your skin pores.

How frequently can you use it

You can apply petroleum jelly right after you wash your hands or on damp skin whenever you feel itching or dryness.

Oats and oatmeal are one of the oldest remedies for dry skin and for improving skin barrier function. It has the following benefits in this condition

• Oatmeal is moisturising to the skin and helps maintain skin barriers. This means it not only helps provide moisture but also it prevents excessive water loss from the skin surface.
• It helps in maintaining skin pH and the natural oils of the skin, which, in turn, ensures a smoother and supple looking skin.
• It has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential which helps avoid skin dryness related to premature ageing and skin inflammation.
• However, it is important that you do not heavily scrub your skin with a pack of oatmeal. Instead, use it in the following manner;

How to use

To use oatmeal, you can simply mix it with some rosewater and apply over your face or lips. This would give you instant relief from itchiness and irritation. You can also mix some oatmeal with a pinch of turmeric, a spoonful of honey and about ¼ cup of milk to be applied as a thin paste over dead and dry skin.

It soothes the dry tissues and leaves you with a softer and bright looking skin.

How frequently can you use it

You can use an oatmeal face mask once or twice a day regularly to get relief from skin problems and reduce it to about 3 times a week after a while, depending on the severity of the condition.

There is probably no skin condition that can’t be remedied with a bit of aloe gel. Have a cut, put some aloe, suffering from burns, a dash of aloe, have skin dryness? Put some aloe gel and let your skin soak up all the moisture. Aloe gel is mostly water, which is responsible for its hydrating properties. It is also enriched with antiseptic and antioxidant agents which protect your skin from UV damage and age-related damage.

How to use

You can put aloe gel directly on your skin or mix it with some honey or rosewater to be applied as a paste over the rough and dry skin patches. A mask can be made from aloe vera by mixing it with some oatmeal, honey and turmeric or neem and applied for 15-20 minutes to be washed with lukewarm water. Apply some vaseline or petroleum jelly to keep all the benefits inside your skin.

Since aloe gel has a cooling effect, try to opt for other remedies in case of a cold or cold weather in general.

How frequently can you use it

Aloe gel can be used every day to attain maximum benefits. However there is a word of caution, do not apply the gel right before going out in the sun or it may give you a serious sunburn.