Home Remedies for Dry Skin - Quick and Safe Relief

Our skin has special glands that do the job of keeping our skin moisturized. These glands are called sebaceous glands and when these glands fail to produce less moisture and oil, our skin eventually feels dry and chapped. There are two types of dry skin: simple dry skin and complex dry skin. Simple dry skin usually effects women that are below the age of 35. Complex dry skin on the other is a result of aging and is characterized by fine lines, a sagging skin and enlarged pores. Other reasons for dry skin could be poor diet, lack of essential vitamins and minerals, exposure to harsh winds, or damaging chemicals found in many products. While there are health products available on the market, there are also a variety of home remedies for dry skin that are recommended.

Here are a few simple remedies for dry skin that you can try at home.

Home Remedies for Dry Skin Tip #1

A few herbs and plants to remember that heal and moisten the skin are aloe vera gel, calendula, and comfery. Aloe vera when applied topically can remove dry skin cells and moisten the skin leaving it smooth and nourished. The gel is also good for acne and other skin problems. Calendula and comfery are also good for moistening and healing dry skin. Another outstanding herb is lavender. You can add a few drops of lavender oil to bathe in and finish it all off with an application of either aloe vera gel, calendula or comfery herbal cream. Some of the other best known essential oils other than lavender for dry skin are, chamomile, rose, sandalwood, patchouli, ylang ylang, and evening promise oil.

Home Remedies for Dry Skin Tip #2

You can also make a dry skin mask using the following recipe:

Mix together 3 teaspoons of honey with a few finely chopped almonds and 2 teaspoons of wheat germ oil. Apply the mix to skin for about 15 minutes and wash with cold or luke-warm water. The almonds will exfoliate the skin while the honey aids in providing nutrients and has a sticking property that acts like a natural mask. Wheat germ oil is to fight the free radicals by the help of the natural vitamin E present in it. Apply every other day to achieve maximum results.

Home Remedies for Dry Skin Tip #3

If you are looking to moisten your lips try this simple and effective recipe:

Heat 2 teaspoons of beeswax on a double boiler and add half a cup of almond oil. Remove from heat once the beeswax has melted and pour in a container. Now add 2 drops of vitamin E oil and 7-9 drops of an oil of your choice for flavor. This recipe contains beeswax, almond oil and vitamin E, all three of which are good for protection against harsh weather and keeping lips moistened.

For an alternative recipe for dry hands you can easily mix a base oil like evening promise oil, almond oil, or olive oil with an essential oil of your choice such as sandalwood, chamomile or rose and apply to hands. Tea tree oil is another amazing oil that penetrates the skin easily to provide moisture.

Home Remedies for Dry Skin Tip #4

A herbal facial sauna is another wonderful way to keep your skin moisturized and healthy. You can simmer about 3 tablespoons of dried fresh herbs like peppermint, lavender and chamomile in about 2 quarts of water. Simmer on low heat and remove from fire. After a few minutes place the pot with the steamed dry herbs at a distance from your face and cover your face and the pot with a towel. This will help trap the steam and moisten your face leaving it smooth. After steaming try applying an herbal cream to strap the herbal properties in your skin. You can use the left over water for extra toning after you wash your face or any other time.

These four home remedies for dry skin have helped many people deal with their dry skin without needing to purchase products from the drug store. Not only do you save money, but your skin remains healthier since these methods all rely on natural products.

Sources

1. Skin Types: Dry Skin, The National Skin Care Institute.

2. Aloe - Natural Medicine, About.com.