Best At Home Remedies for Dry Skin

The time for comfy sweaters, amazing boots and hot chocolate has arrived, but not without a price. Dry skin is almost a sure thing when temperatures go low: whether from the actual cold, the biting wind, or the dry air associated with indoor heating. Still, your skin can look and feel as gorgeous as it does in the spring. Get prepared with these at-home survival tips for the season.

 

1. Pamper Your Face.

You should already be moisturizing every morning and night as part of your regular face care routine. Switch your moisturizer to a heavier and thicker product because your needs in the summer are in no way a reflection of your moisture needs in the fall and winter. If you’re still experiencing issues with dryness, use a moisturizing, at-home facial mask one to two times a week (based on your needs). Here’s one that we LOVE that’s super easy to make:

Ingredients:

½ very ripe, soft avocado

¼ cup honey

Directions:

Mash the avocado in a bowl, then stir in honey.

Apply to skin and leave for 10 minutes.

Rinse face with a cool washcloth

 

2. Invest in Your Skin.

Buy a humidifier to combat dryness brought on by heating. You can also buy a water filter for your shower head! The filter will make your water less drying for the skin and will even help make your hair healthier so it’s a great purchase.

 

3. Avoid Hot Water.

Avoid showering, washing your face or washing your hands with hot water. Warm water is fine but hot water really dries the skin out. It’s also time to take shorter showers because the longer you bathe, the drier your skin is once you’ve finished. If you’re really in the mood for a hot shower or bath after a cold day outside, be sure to stock up on moisturizing body washes, shampoos and conditioners. If your skin still feels a bit scaly after the fact, be sure to use an oatmeal lotion to counter dryness.

 

4. Hydrate At Night.

No matter how many times you moisturize during the day, your hands are actively touching things so you’re always losing hydration. The solution is to continue to hydrate regularly throughout the day but also make sure to prep your hands overnight. Slather on a super rich, moisturizing hand cream or Vaseline right before bed and sleep with mittens over them. This will help them soak in the moisture as you rest. You can do the same for dry feet, covering them with socks instead.

 

5. Go Natural.

Have you started using coconut oil in your beauty routine? If not, it’s definitely time to start. There are dozens (if not hundreds) of ways you can put this product to work and the fresh, tropical scent is a fun pick-me-up for this time of year. Coconut oil is natural, healthy and super hydrating. Opt for an organic, cold pressed, or extra virgin variety so you can ensure the highest quality product.

Though a superstar, coconut oil isn’t the only hydrating natural product you’ll find. There are so many different facial and body masks you can make using ingredients you may have at home or find at the grocery store. Below are more of our favorite “at home” remedies:

• Take 2 tablespoons of virgin coconut oil, 1 inch of a mashed ripe banana along with 3 frankincense essential oil drops.

• Then, whip all the ingredients together by using a spoon or fork and apply to your clean face.

• Rinse off after 20 minutes after that. Finally, pat dry and moisturize.

• 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt.

• Stir in 1 tablespoon of honey and 2 tablespoons of cooked oatmeal together with the contents of one vitamin E capsule.

• Let the oatmeal cool prior to adding it to this facial mixture.

• Then, use warm water to wash the face, and then with the help of a soft towel to take the excess water out of the skin.

• Now smooth this hydrating facial mask on the damp skin and let it remain for 15 – 20 minutes.

• Rinse the face, and then pat the skin dry. Follow up with applying your favorite moisturizer.

• The ingredients include a tablespoon of Shea butter, coconut oil, and aloe vera gel.

• Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and stir them well.

• Then you spread the mixture on the dry skin with the fingertips and avoid touching the eye area.

• Relax and leave it for 15 minutes before rinsing off with warm and cold water.

• Pat the face dry and apply a light moisturizer.

 

6. Exfoliate.

Sometimes your skin only appears to be dry because you’re showing off a thin layer of dead skin cells. It’s pretty much as unappealing as it sounds! Exfoliate your face and body once a week to slough off dry, dead skin cells and allow your most radiant layer of epidermis to shine through. There are a lot of great products you can buy and also tons of at-home, DIY recipes you can whip up with ingredients like sugar and coffee.

Pay special attention to the hands, elbows, knees and feet as they can get super rough when they’re dry. For feet, you may want to buy a disposable pumice stone for use in the shower. Your feet should stay smooth, supple and hydrated throughout the winter.

It also just feels good. Exfoliation is an energizing process… you’ll experience the luxuriating effects of a perfect spa day.

 

7. Stop Flaky Skin.

Apply a layer of aloe vera gel on skin that’s become extremely flaky and dry. It will help to hydrate as well as remove flakes which is why it’s also your go-to treatment for sunburns.

 

If you do your dishes by hand, pick up rubber gloves to protect your skin. The harsh chemicals in dish detergent combined with hot water is extremely drying. Your manicure will last longer too! You also have to be mindful of what ingredients are in your soaps, hair products, and lotions! Dry skin sucks, but allergic reactions are even worse, especially when the two are paired together. OUCH!