How to get rid of dry skin

Do you feel like a reptile on your dry and flaky skin? Anyone can experience dry skin. In fact, this skin condition is more common than you think. When the body loses too much moisture or is unable to retain it, the skin dries out. There are many factors that can cause our skin to dry out: age, environment, heredity, improper skin care, and even our lifestyle choices. Fortunately, there are many ways to combat this unsightly condition so you can revitalize your skin, restore its natural beauty, and feel comfortable again.

Tips for caring for your facial skin

Many people experience dry skin on the face. Some people try to cover it up, which can often make the dryness worse. When skin is dehydrated, wrinkles, acne scars, and breakouts often become more noticeable or even exaggerated, making that ageless look disappear. So what can you do to get rid of dry skin on your face? Here are some facial skin care tips that can help:

• Apply natural products such as natural oils like avocado, almond, olive, jojoba, coconut, or flaxseed to the skin after a shower or bath. While your skin is still slightly damp, apply a generous amount of your favorite natural oil to your skin. This will help trap moisture and keep your skin moist longer.

• Honey helps moisturize, soften and tighten the skin. Put a small amount of honey on your fingers and apply it directly to the affected area using a light tapping motion. After a couple of minutes, rinse it off with lukewarm water and pat the area dry with a soft cloth. You can also apply honey to dry areas of your face five minutes before a warm shower or bath. With the area still damp, apply a small amount of natural oil.

• Combine two tablespoons of olive oil, four tablespoons of brown sugar, and one tablespoon of honey. Gently apply to dry facial area in circular motions for a few minutes. Gently rinse with lukewarm water, then pat dry and apply a natural moisturizer.

• Apply a mask with mashed avocado or bananas.

• Aloe vera is often used to soothe irritated skin, but it also has the ability to moisturize even the driest and flakiest skin. Apply a thin layer on the dry area. Let it sit for about 15 to 20 minutes. Use lukewarm water to rinse off any gel that has not been absorbed into your skin.

Moisturizers and creams can also be a great remedy for dry skin. Before you buy a moisturizer, be sure to read the label. Not all moisturizers are created equal, and some ingredients are more beneficial than others. Here are some ingredients to look for and why:

• Lanolin, petroleum jelly, dimethicone, and mineral oil are emollients. These ingredients add a protective oily layer on the skin that helps trap water in the skin.

• Glycerin, lecithin, and propylene glycol are humectants. Humectants work by drawing water into the outer layers of the skin.

• Hyaluronic acid helps the skin retain moisture.

• Ceramides are fatty acid molecules found naturally in the outer layer of the skin. They help retain moisture and keep the skin supple. Low levels of ceramides in the skin can cause dry, flaky skin, making ceramides a critical ingredient in a rich moisturizer.

Facial acne and dry skin

Do you have problems with acne? Your skin may be acne-prone, which means your pores get clogged easily due to the type of skin you have. You may have oily skin, dry skin, or a combination of dry and oily skin. Oily skin causes pores to become clogged and dry skin creates a lack of moisture which leads to sensitive skin and breakouts. Treating oily, dry, or dry skin with the right remedies, such as those listed above, can help prevent and reduce facial acne. Microdermabrasion can help reduce the appearance of acne scars and dry skin. As an acne treatment, microdermabrasion is also a great preventative tool.

Soothe dry and chapped lips

Dehydration and cold weather are often to blame for dry, chapped lips. If you are experiencing painfully dry lips, here are some ways to soothe and moisturize them:

• Drink plenty of water throughout the day.

• For extremely dry lips, create a gentle scrub by combining sugar, olive oil, and honey. Gently apply to lips, rinse with warm water, then apply a natural lip balm.

• Make a natural soothing lip balm with beeswax, essential oils, and cocoa butter. Combine 2 teaspoons of beeswax with 7 tablespoons of cocoa butter. Melt in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring gently, until melted. Remove from heat and let cool for a couple of minutes. Add 6 to 8 drops of lavender, grapefruit, peppermint, chamomile, or orange essential oil.

• Avoid touching the dry skin of your lips.

• Get in the habit of using lip balm frequently.

treat your hands well

Your hands are the part of your body that you use the most, which means that you will probably notice their dryness easily. To soothe your chapped hands, apply a rich moisturizer frequently. After each time you wash your hands, apply a generous amount of moisturizer. Check out the above list of key ingredients to look for to help you find a protective and soothing moisturizer. Use mild cleansers and continue to wash your hands regularly. Avoiding hand washing can lead to contracting contagious diseases. At night, apply petroleum jelly, mineral oil, or lanolin to your hands to help trap water in your skin.

don’t neglect your eyes

The skin around the eyes is very delicate and often goes unrecognized as areas of the body that become dry. However, the skin under the eyes and the eyelids are prone to dryness. Many people use harsh chemicals to remove eye makeup, not realizing that they are drying out their delicate skin. The skin around the eyes can also thin with age, and dark circles and wrinkles can form. When the skin around the eyes is dry, these defects become more noticeable and more difficult to hide.

Here are some tips to help moisturize the skin around your eyes:

• Avoid rubbing your eyes, which removes moisture from the skin, to reduce bags under the eyes.

• Wear protective sunglasses when outdoors or exposed to ultraviolet light.

• Steep a green tea bag in cold water. Place the bag over your eyes for a few minutes before gently rinsing with warm water and patting dry. This helps reduce dryness and increases cell regeneration. Finish by applying a small layer of natural oil.

• Avoid using harsh chemicals in your makeup remover.

• Apply raw milk under your eyes. Let sit for a few minutes before rinsing off with lukewarm water.

• Apply natural oils under the eyes before bed to help lock in moisture.

• Get enough sleep to ensure your body has time to repair your dry skin.

Improve skin condition throughout the body

The dryness on the body is uncomfortable. Fortunately, there are remedies that can provide comfort and relief.

• Apply moisturizer right after showers and baths.

• Shave immediately after bathing and use a mild shaving cream or gel.

• Avoid dull razor blades that irritate dry skin by changing the razor after every 5 to 7 shaves.

• Use mild laundry detergents.

• Cover your body when you are outdoors in winter.

• Apply a generous amount of natural oils like coconut oil all over your body before going to bed at night.

• Avoid long, hot showers. Hot water dries out the skin because it strips it of the oils needed to keep the skin supple and moisturized. Try switching to hot showers for 5 to 10 minutes.

• Use nonabrasive, fragrance-free facial cleansers. Many cleansers contain sodium lauryl sulfate, which can strip moisture from the skin.

• If you live in a dry climate or have dry skin in cooler seasons, consider installing or using a humidifier in your home or bedroom at night while you sleep. Humidifiers add moisture to the air that can soothe dry, cracked skin and can also help smooth wrinkles.

Remedies for Dry Skin on the Feet

The skin on the soles of the feet is the thickest skin on the body and is naturally dry. Dry, cracked skin on the feet can cause pain and discomfort. To get rid of dry skin on your feet, start by soaking your feet in warm water or undiluted lemon juice. Gently remove dead skin with a pumice stone. Rinse your feet with warm water and pat dry with a soft towel. Apply foot cream or Vaseline and cover with a clean pair of cotton socks. This remedy works well at night because the cream has time to penetrate the skin. Drinking plenty of water every day and avoiding alcohol and caffeine will also help reduce dry skin on your feet. Avoid touching or cutting dead skin. Removing too much skin can cause infection and pain.