Health & Beauty

Home Remedies to treat Dry skin !!

Having rough skin followed by itching, cracking and scaling majorly due to lack of moisture. It may happen due to weather changes, sun, hot showers, arid climates, hard water or harsh chemicals (soaps, detergents, shampoos). Fortunately, you can use home remedies to address dry skin symptoms and restore moisture. The severe condition is called Xerosis, where you need a dermatologist.

Home Remedies:

Coconut oil is an emollient therefore has excellent nourishing properties. It has saturated fatty acids that hydrate and smooth the skin. You can use coconut oil daily, pre or post-shower, even on the most sensitive parts of your body.

Petroleum jelly: Also known as mineral oil (Vaseline) it acts as a sealant that traps the moisture in the skin. This helps heal dry and irritated skin patches.

Oatmeal baths: Oats have antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that soothe irritation. After you’ve taken an oatmeal bath, make sure you moisturize your skin to lock in the barrier. Grind the oatmeal into a fine powder, then stir it into warm water for bathing.

Rose water soothes and moisturizes dry skin along with balancing the ph levels. It is used as a skin cleanser & toner as it is or mixed with honey and glycerine.

Honey is a Humectant means it deeply moisturizes the skin. It also helps in calming the irritation and redness. Honey masks effectively brighten the skin.

Avocado Oil: Avocados are rich in fatty acids and vitamins. This oil is thick and nourishing and secondly gets absorbed into the skin very easily giving skin a dewy texture. Apply this directly to your face and body.

Papaya: Papaya has high moisturising and skin cleansing benefits. This enzyme & nutrition-rich fruit keeps skin healthy, nourished and glowing. Papayas can also help soothe sunburn and inflammation. It diminishes the appearance of fine lines and dark circles too.

Rice Water: Japanese use this remedy in their beauty routines. Rice water balances the pH levels of the skin and helps retain moisture while brightening the skin. You can use it as a skin toner.

Aloe Vera: Apply aloe vera gel directly on your skin and dry patches and notice an instant burst of hydration. It is suitable for all skin types. Use aloe vera and cucumber pack for dry and dull skin.

Exfoliate: It is important to remove flaky and dry skin before any further treatment. Exfoliation removes dead skin and cleans clogged pores. You can use coffee and honey, sugar and tomato, oatmeal scrub as these not only smooth the skin but moisturize as well.

Apricot Kernel Oil: This oil does wonders to the dry skin and scalp. It is effective in deep moisturizing the skin that’s why mostly sold in cold regions. It helps treat the rosacea and psoriasis as well. Make a scrub with sugar and apricot oil and use it to exfoliate dry patches on your body.

Shea Butter: It is deeply nourishing and moisturizing and doesn’t contain chemical irritants therefore great on the skin. Shea butter seeps into the skin very easily and gives you a natural glow. Use it as a lotion on your face and body after a shower.

Milk: Lactic acid in milk can help soothe as well as hydrate dry skin. Use milk as a toner to calm and cleanse your skin. Add a pinch of turmeric to milk for additional benefits. Use it raw or in your face packs. Milk helps treat sunburn and acne too.

Antioxidants and omega-3: Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon, flaxseeds, and soybeans contribute to moisturized skin and treat dry & itchy skin. Foods rich in antioxidants like avocadoes, apples, cherries, beetroot, and dark chocolate can minimize the damage from toxins hence aiding healthy skin.

Apple cider vinegar helps balance the ph levels of your skin which in turn maintains skin’s natural oils. Mix 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with 1 teaspoon of water and apply the mixture on dry patches. Do this once a week to keep the dryness at bay. Also add vinegar to your baths.

Bananas are a great way to hydrate dry and damaged skin cells. Mash and apply to your skin, leaving it on for some time.
Mayonnaise is also used to moisturize the skin. It softens and remove dead skin from elbows and feet. Rub it and leave it for 15 minutes or so.

Your skin is the foremost defence against bacteria and viruses. When your skin is compromised by itching, an infection can occur. Make sure to wear loose-fitting and cotton clothing that draws sweat away, apply sunscreen, drink lots of water, eat seasonal fruits and vegetables, avoid use of harsh chemicals like cosmetics, shampoos, detergents etc and keep dry skin at bay.

Dry skin in kids: Breast milk, aloe vera and coconut oil are some remedies that are natural and effective for their soft skin.