7 Natural Remedies for Dry Winter Skin

Reader Contribution by Jennifer Landis
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The cold and dry air of winter does a number on our skin. Let’s be real – it’s the worst. What was once smooth turns dry, flaky and itchy once winter rolls around, and it can sometimes feel unbearable. There are hundreds of different lotions on the market that claim to cure dry skin once and for all, but they are expensive and usually don’t really do the trick. This season, instead of buying cabinets full of lotions that don’t actually help, try these cheap, natural and effective remedies you can do at home.

1. Use Honey, Honey

Honey is one of the greatest moisturizers nature has supplied us with. Not only does honey keep skin moisturized, it also keeps your skin healthy with its many vitamins and minerals. Use honey as a moisturizer for your face by washing your face, coating it in a thin layer of honey, and rinsing with warm water. Your skin will feel silky smooth after this luxurious routine.

There a tons of ways to use honey to make your skin, face and hair healthier. Overall, honey is one of the greatest ways to keep your body healthy and moisturized, so try adding it into your routine!

2. Add Oils to Your Skincare Routine

There are many natural oils that have hydrating and healing properties. Adding in some of these oils to your skincare routine will do more for your skin than a simple layer of lotion. For instance, olive oil has many healthy fatty acids that do amazing things for your skin. Before you put on your usual lotion or moisturizer, use a thin layer of extra-virgin olive oil.

Other oils that can help dry skin include coconut oil and almond oil. Pro tip — always apply these oils or other moisturizers when your skin is damp. These are meant to lock in moisture, so applying them when your skin is already damp will make their job easier.

3. Don’t Drink Milk, Apply It

Milk has exfoliating and soothing properties that help eliminate dry skin. Try soaking a washcloth in cold milk and leave the cloth on dry skin for 5-7 minutes. Then, use another washcloth soaked in lukewarm water to wash off the milk. Doing this every other day will act as a natural moisturizer.

4. Take Care of Your Scalp

One of the worst parts about dry skin is having a dry scalp. An itchy and dry scalp is not only annoying, but it also causes dandruff and unhealthy hair. To prevent a dry scalp, use an apple cider vinegar rinse. Mix apple cider vinegar with water, and spray it all over your hair. Allow it to sit for about a half hour before rinsing out. This will:

• Keep your skin hydrated
• Prevent dandruff
• Add shine to your hair

If your skin is itchy elsewhere try a concoction of baking soda, alove vera and olive oil to relieve the itch with all natural ingredients.

5. Eat Foods That Hydrate

Treat your dry skin from the inside out by eating foods that will protect your skin from dryness. Foods that have high magnesium, fatty acids and vitamin C naturally keep your skin healthy and hydrated. For example, try adding salmon and other fatty fishes, mangoes and dark chocolate to your diet. Eating a generally healthy and well-rounded diet is an effective treatment and preventative measure for dry skin and rashes.

6. Make a Homemade Skin Scrub

There’s no need to spend your hard-earned money on expensive sugar scrubs that promise to exfoliate your skin when you can make your own. There are many different sugar scrub recipes you can try depending on your scent preferences and what you have in your pantry. Just one option is a brown sugar scrub using brown sugar and coconut oil. These also make great gifts, especially for the holidays when everyone is fighting dry skin!

7. Try This Overnight Cure

If your skin is especially dry and you need a dramatic cure, this overnight treatment can work wonders. First, take a bath or shower right before bed. When you’re finished, lightly pat your skin dry and rub a light layer of oil all over your skin. Olive or coconut oil will do the trick. Once you are covered in oil, climb into bed with an old pair of pajamas (the oil can stain your clothing) and hit the hay. It may be an odd way to sleep, but after one night like this you will wake up with soft and silky skin.

Dry skin is vicious during the winter, and it’s hard to fight, but these natural remedies will definitely help. Add in one or two of these ideas to your routine and watch your skin turn back into the smooth skin you had before the winter months.

  • Published on Jan 5, 2017
Tagged with: Reader Contributions
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