12 Home Remedies for Dry Skin: Get Rid of itchy, flaky, and it
Dry skin can be painful and itchy, whether it is brought on by aging, an underlying skin problem, or environmental causes. There are many home remedies for dry skin, but which ones are the most efficient?
Skin that lacks moisture in its outer layer is referred to as dry skin, commonly known as xerosis. Dry skin can crack and get infected if it is not addressed. It is crucial to keep dry skin moisturized, but some over-the-counter remedies may be pricey or inefficient. A person can alleviate dry skin with several natural methods. Unless otherwise specified, most of the treatments listed below can serve as moisturizers. Applying a moisturizer liberally to damp skin after a bath and letting it absorb is the ideal method to use.
Try these methods for the best results:
1. Coconut oil
Coconut oil has moisturizing qualities. Emollients provide a smooth surface by filling the gaps between skin cells. Because of this, coconut oil’s naturally occurring saturated fatty acids can moisturize and smooth the skin.
Even the most delicate regions of your body can benefit from the frequent use of coconut oil. These include the area around your lips and the region just below your eyes. Coconut oil has the additional benefit of not requiring any mixing. Coconut is soft enough to be used frequently.
2. Petroleum Jelly
Products containing petroleum jelly can help older folks’ skin heal, claims a study. The skin is shielded by mineral oil, often known as petroleum jelly. Underneath, moisture is trapped. Patches of dry, inflamed skin can heal because of this.
3. Oatmeal baths
A popular traditional treatment for sensitive skin is oatmeal. This home cure has been recommended by grandmothers and great-grandmothers for millennia, according to a 2015 study: It functions.
Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory qualities in colloidal oatmeal reduce inflammation. This treatment works particularly well if you are trying to get rid of itching. Take care to moisturize your skin after taking an oatmeal bath to maintain the barrier.
An oatmeal bath can be made at home. Muesli should be ground into a fine powder in a food processor, then mixed with warm water. To make a muesli soak, you can also use one of the many commercially available products.
4. Omega-3s and antioxidants
When your skin is dry, it is because your body cannot heal the skin cells damaged from exposure to environmental factors quickly enough. It is claimed that several meals can make your skin seem better.
Antioxidant-rich foods can reduce the harm done by pollutants and aid in the production of healthy cells in your body. Blueberries, tomatoes, and avocados are a few foods that support healthy skin.
Carrots, beans, peas, lentils, salmon, and other foods high in omega-3 fatty acids may also aid in bright skin.
5. Sunflower seed oil
According to a 2013 study, sunflower seed oil as a moisturizer on participants’ arms increased moisture. According to the same study, olive oil harmed the skin’s protective layer, indicating that not all natural oils are appropriate for use as moisturizers.
6. Drinking milk
Milk might also help dry skin, but not when applied directly to the skin. A diet rich in milk, according to research from 2015, may help dry skin.
The study discovered that feeding mice phospholipid, a milk fat, increased their skin’s barrier function. If drinking milk has the same impact on human skin, further study is required.
7. Honey
According to a 2012 assessment of the literature, certain studies have indicated that honey is helpful for a variety of skin conditions. According to some studies, honey may be applied topically to relieve dry skin.
According to numerous research, honey has moisturizing, healing, and anti-inflammatory properties.
All these characteristics imply that honey is a great remedy for dry skin that can be used at home. It can be used on the skin directly and is entirely natural.
8. Aloe Vera
According to a 2003 study, aloe vera gel may aid in reducing the symptoms of dry skin.
Applying aloe vera gel and covering the affected region with a sock or glove will help someone with dry skin on their hands or feet. It could be preferable for people to do this before going to sleep and leave the gel on all night.
If you have dry skin on another part of your body, try liberally applying aloe vera gel and letting it soak in for a similar result.
9. Gloves
The hands typically come into close touch with environmental irritants the most. These include laundry detergent and dish soap.
Make it a habit to always wear gloves when you have water on your hands. When temperatures drop and you are working outside in the cold, your hands suffer a lot of damage.
When performing home tasks or going outside in extremely cold weather, wearing insulated gloves can help prevent dry, itchy skin.
10. Modify the temperature of your shower
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, modifying your shower routine can occasionally help relieve dry skin. Although most individuals like to take hot showers, doing so can hurt the skin.
Additionally, some soaps that promote skin healing and moisturization can have the opposite effect. With severe chemicals, they can cause allergic responses and weaken the skin.
Take brief showers with warm, not hot, water. Additionally, search for soaps that are kinder to the skin than conventional soaps and free of aroma.
11. Employ a humidifier
A humidifier helps reduce the dryness that is brought on by home heating systems. A humidifier set at 60 percent is sufficient to counteract the effect of gas and electric heat, which dry up the air.
12. Avoid irritants and allergens
You are clothing or the environment you have exposed your skin to could be the cause of the abrupt onset of dry skin.
Your skin can become itchy and dry from sitting next to a fire, being in chlorinated or chemically treated water, or simply wearing wool clothing. Consider the stresses you are subjecting your skin to and try to be kind to them.
Prevention of dry skin: try these
It is crucial to maintain healthy skin. The first line of defense against bacteria and viruses is your skin. Itching might endanger your skin, which can lead to an infection. Even if your skin is not troubling you, you might want to include using an excellent moisturizer in your routine.
One of the greatest strategies to stop dry skin outbreaks is to maintain a healthy skin barrier every day. Use a moisturizing sunscreen every day to avoid skin damage and dryness another important skincare tip. When you are exposed to hot temperatures or skin-irritating situations, be sure to wear loose-fitting, cotton clothing that wicks sweat away from the skin.
Keep in mind that very dry skin can be a sign of something more serious. You might need to visit a doctor to receive a prescription treatment to ease your dry skin if home cures are not working.
After showering, frequently applying emollients and moisturizers helps prevent dry skin. A person might also avoid having dry or itchy skin by avoiding certain items, such as:
- picking at their skin
- excessive use of air conditioning
- shaving with a blunt blade or without shaving gel
- overuse of lotions containing alcohol
- overuse of towels to dry off after bathing or showering
- overuse of hot water
- excessive use of these practices
- exposure to detergents frequently
- prolonged exposure to direct heat from a heater or fire.
When to visit a physician?
A person may have an underlying skin issue if environmental causes or aging are not the cause of their dry skin. A person should consult a doctor if they have any suspicions that this is the case.
If over-the-counter medications and store-bought moisturizers are unsuccessful in reducing the signs and symptoms of dry skin, a person may also want to consult a chemist.
Maintaining skin moisture and treating dry skin as soon as possible is crucial. Dry skin, if untreated, can result in bacterial infection with red, bleeding spots.
A bacterial infection may be indicated by redness, swelling, or pus. A person should visit a doctor as soon as possible if they think their skin may be contaminated.
