Categories: Beauty

13 Natural Remedies To Moisturize Dry Skin

We’ve all experienced dry skin at some point. Some of us get dry skin every once in a while, whereas some of us suffer from chronic dry skin. Because dry skin has less resilience and is more prone to wrinkling than moisturized skin, you should definitely take measures to keep your skin healthy and hydrated.

Skincare can easily run upwards of $200 per month, and many brands contain unnecessary chemicals and ingredients that actually do more harm than good. To avoid these harsh chemicals and safely moisturize your dry skin, check out these 13 natural remedies! 

1. Drink plenty of water.

Because skin cells are made up of water, they won’t function properly without a sufficient daily intake of water. If you’re not drinking enough water, dehydration will turn your skin dry, tight, and flaky. Naturally, drinking enough water will hydrate all your cells, including your skin cells.

Although there is no finite amount of water that each person should be drinking daily, make sure you avoid becoming thirsty throughout the day, drink water before and after you exercise, and opt for water instead of sugary drinks to maximize the benefits of healthy and hydrated skin.

2. Take cold or lukewarm showers.

Hot water can strip away the natural oils in your skin, whereas cold water helps constrict blood vessels to reduce redness and tighten your pores. Cold water also improves skin’s firmness and strengthens its ability to prevent injury.

If you can’t stand taking cold showers, opt for lukewarm showers. If your skin turns red or splotchy after a few minutes of showering, turn down the heat!

3. Apply moisturizer immediately after showering or bathing.

Because your skin is naturally the most moisturized when it’s wet, the best time to apply moisturizer to your face and body is immediately after showering to lock in hydration. After you shower, water evaporates off your skin fairly quickly, which can result in dryness. 

4. Apply coconut oil as a moisturizer before bedtime.

Coconut oil contains plenty of antioxidants and proteins that are beneficial to your skin. Because coconut oil is solid at room temperature but will soften beneath the warmth of your fingers, you can apply a thin, even layer directly to your face, hands, feet, and any other dry areas just before bedtime.

While you can certainly apply coconut oil as a moisturizer any time during the day, your skin might feel greasy after a while if you’re out and about or in the sun.

5. Avoid products with harsh chemicals.

Harmful preservatives and conditioning agents are often used in skincare products. Some harsh chemicals to watch out for include parabens, aluminum, formaldehyde, petrolatum, coal tar, triclosan, and oxybenzone.  

Natural oils, light moisturizers, and pure aloe vera are just a few alternatives to heavy skincare products. 

6. Eat foods rich in antioxidants.

Your skin absorbs and responds to the nutrients you consume. Fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants and vitamins are great for healthy, hydrated skin and hair, including blueberries, watermelon, tomatoes, carrots, avocados, and oranges.

Olive oil, nuts, and other foods high in protein and low in preservatives, trans fats, and added sugars pose great benefits to skin.

7. Do a weekly avocado mask.

Avocado soothes dry skin when applied topically, and honey is a natural moisturizer. There are plenty of DIY avocado masks out there with tons of other ingredients, but all you really need is avocado and honey to get instant benefits.

Integrate a weekly avocado and honey face mask into your skincare regimen to support long-lasting skin health.  

8. Make an olive oil and sugar scrub.

Olive oil is a natural oil that is intensely hydrating, whereas sugar exfoliates and freshens skin when applied topically. Both ingredients are natural moisturizers, so feel free to integrate this scrub into your weekly skincare regimen, as well!

This amazing mixture removes toxins, blackheads, and whiteheads. It will also give you an amazing natural glow. 

9. Use a humidifier.

When dry air surrounds you, there’s only so much a good moisturizer can do for your skin. One surefire way to maintain hydrated skin is to restore moisture to the air around you via a humidifier. Humidifiers are also great for restoring moisture to dry hair caused by weather conditions that are out of your control. 

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They can be pretty affordable, and you don’t need a top-of-the-line humidifier to get the desired effect!

10. Apply aloe vera to very dry and irritated skin.

Aloe vera does more than just relieve sunburns. Since it alleviates redness and irritation caused from dryness, aloe vera can be used as a natural and frequent dry skin remedy. It can also decrease signs of aging and acne breakouts. 

If you opt for a product that contains aloe vera rather than pure aloe vera, make sure the concentration is more than 90% to get the full effect.

11. Take a weekly oatmeal bath.

Oatmeal is an amazing resource for strengthening the integrity of your skin. It also provides instant relief for itchiness and hydration for dryness.

Oatmeal baths are easy and inexpensive, so check out this list of all the ingredients and equipment needed!  

12. Avoid scratching any itches.

Although it might relieve itchiness, scratching can actually break your skin and cause even further discomfort that can ultimately result in infection.

When you feel an itch coming on, apply a cold, wet compress to the area until the itch goes away. You can also soak in an oatmeal bath if the itch is in more than one spot or in an area that you can’t quite reach. Apply some aloe vera or another natural moisturizer to keep the itch away.

13. Use natural soaps.

Soaps that contain artificial fragrance heavily contribute to dry skin and irritation. When shopping for soap, look for those that contain plant oils, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid. Avoid synthetic dyes, alcohol, and sodium lauryl sulfate.  

Have these 13 natural remedies helped you keep your dry skin more hydrated and healthy? Comment below!

Featured image source: https://weheartit.com/articles/316648992-how-to-take-care-of-yourself-by-practicing-self-care
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Jamie Ferracioli

Jamie graduated from Cal Poly Pomona in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in English. She is an aspiring writer, professional editor/proofreader, and piano player. In her free time, Jamie enjoys reading classic literary works, composing music, and playing Xbox with her husband!

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