Some people arrive on this earth blessed with perpetually parched skin. If you’re one of those, then no matter what you do, your skin will feel thirsty all the time.

Instead of living with your flaky, itchy and irritated skin, try fighting the dryness in your skin with some awesome home remedies.

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get rid of dry skin

When your skin is unable to retain sufficient moisture, it displays symptoms of dry skin like flakiness and itchiness. (1)

Frequent bathing, harsh soaps or dry winter air in conjunction with indoor heating can wreak havoc on your skin’s natural ability to retain moisture. In extreme cases, dry skin can become irritated, red, rough and raw.

Managing Dry and Itchy Skin

Dermatologists recommend mild soaps or goat milk soap that are free from fragrance. Hot water in the shower and soaps that are too drying can also make your skin itch and breakdown the natural functions of the skin layers.

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Dry skin can be unsightly and uncomfortable. It gives you a flaky and scaly appearance that can have you hiding under long sleeves and long pants. Skin that’s too dry and damaged can also become cracked and painful.

Winter brings with it an arid air that strips the skin of its natural moisture. Winters often leave even oily skin types suffering from dry skin. You may need to change your skin routine with the changing seasons in order to keep your skin healthy year-round.

Note: It’s important to moisturize your skin at least twice daily. A good time to do that is after a bath or shower. It’s important to use gentle soaps and avoid hot water when washing hands or taking a shower. Cooler water is better while bathing when compared to warm water. Avoiding fragrances and dyes is also important and can help prevent itchy outbreaks.

Here are six easy methods to get rid of dry, itchy skin at home.

Method 1: Use Olive Oil

Olive oil is one of the most hydrating oils and has been used as a traditional moisturizer in many cultures. If you suffer from extremely dry skin, consider olive oil your best friend.

If you have dry but sensitive skin that doesn’t tolerate regular lotions and creams, you also can rely on olive oil.

The antioxidants present in olive oil protect the skin cells from damage by neutralizing the free radicals created by pollution and excess exposure to sunlight. Being quite viscous, olive oil may take some time to absorb into your skin.

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Things you’ll need:

olive oil for dry skin things need

  • Olive oil (helps moisturize dry skin)

Single-Step Treatment: Apply olive oil daily to moisturize your dry skin

olive oil for dry skin

  • Apply olive oil with a cotton ball wherever you have dry skin. Lightly massage it with your hands to work the oil into the skin.

Repeat daily, especially in the dry season.

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Method 2: Use Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is one of those all-purpose oils that come with almost no side effects. It is a tropical treasure that has long been used by generations for beautiful skin and hair. It has moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties. (2)

Being light, it readily absorbs into the skin, nourishing and moisturizing it. It's light texture also makes it good for most skin types.

Things you’ll need:

coconut oil for dry skin things need

  • Coconut oil (nourishes and moisturizes your skin)

Single-Step Treatment: Apply coconut oil to hydrate dry skin

use coconut oil for dry skin
Apply coconut oil to get rid of dry skin
  • Apply coconut oil with a cotton ball to relieve and hydrate your dry skin. It maintains the oil balance on your skin and keeps the skin naturally hydrated.

Coconut oil solidifies below 75° F with a texture somewhat like petroleum jelly, but it’s neither greasy nor sticky. It readily melts when it comes in contact with your body heat.

Method 3: Use Honey-Milk Mask

Honey is a known humectant and has naturally hydrating properties. (3) With regular use, it can make your skin baby soft and plump. It also contains antioxidants that protect the skin from free-radical damage.

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Milk contains water, fats, and proteins, making it a complete moisturizing agent that can hydrate your skin without making it oily. The anti-inflammatory properties of milk can bring relief from the itchiness in your dry skin. The lactic acid present in milk also exfoliates the dry skin.

Honey and milk, when used together, make for a very effective skin mask that is especially good for dry and flaky skin. This mask will both heal and rejuvenate your skin and you’ll breathe a little easier this winter.

Things you’ll need:

honey milk mask for dry skin things need

  • Honey (has hydrating properties)
  • Milk (good moisturizing agent)

Step 1. Mix honey and milk

honey and milk for dry skin

  • Thoroughly mix equal amounts of honey and milk in a small bowl. Honey is a natural humectant and milk hydrates dry and itchy skin.

Step 2. Apply the mask for 10 min

honey milk mask for dry skin
Honey remedy for dry skin
  • Spread this mask with your hands over any dry and irritated skin.
  • Allow it to remain on your skin for about 10 minutes.
  • Rinse it off with plain water if possible, and use lukewarm water in the winter.

This mask is best applied before showering.

Method 4: Use Aloe Vera

Aloe vera reigns supreme when it comes to skin benefit. If your skin is not only dry and flaky but also itches severely and becomes irritated and cracked in the winter, you should definitely give aloe vera gel a try.

It has great healing and hydrating properties that repair the skin and helps retain moisture. (4)

Fresh aloe vera gel works best, and you can get it by keeping a potted aloe vera plant, which is easy enough to keep alive. You may also get aloe vera leaves from your local produce store or an organic foods store.

Packaged aloe vera gel will also provide results, but be sure to pick a brand with no additives or fragrance.

Things you’ll need:

aloe vera gel for dry skin things need

  • Aloe vera gel (hydrates the skin)

Single-Step Treatment: Apply aloe vera gel regularly to nourish your dry skin

aloe vera gel for dry skin

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  • Apply fresh aloe vera gel liberally on your skin with a cotton ball. Aloe vera will repair your parched skin.

You can apply it at night before going to bed, allowing it to completely absorb into your skin while you sleep.

Method 5: Use Lemon-Sugar Scrub

Lemon juice and sugar scrub can help you get rid of dry and flaky skin. Lemon juice and sugar exfoliate the dead layer of skin, thus revealing the soft, new skin underneath.

Olive oil and honey help hydrate the new skin and keep it moisturized.

Things you’ll need:

lemon sugar scrub for dry skin things need

  • Honey (has hydrating properties)– 1 tablespoon
  • Sugar (exfoliating agent)– 2 tablespoons
  • Olive oil (helps moisturize dry skin) – 1 tablespoon
  • Lemon, medium sized (helps remove dead skin cells) – ½

Step 1. Combine honey, sugar, lemon and olive oil

honey sugar lmeon mask for dry skin

  • Put 2 tablespoons of sugar in a small bowl.
  • Add 1 tablespoon of honey to it.
  • Pour in 1 tablespoon of olive oil as well.
  • Finally, squeeze in the juice from half of a lemon.
  • Mix the ingredients together thoroughly. Your lemon-sugar scrub is ready.

Step 2. Use the scrub twice a week to help with dry skin

honey lemon sugar scrub for dry skin

  • Apply the scrub over the dry skin and lightly massage it with your hands.
  • Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing it off with plain water.

Repeat this activity twice a week to get rid of dry and flaky skin.

Method 6: Use Coffee Scrub

Coffee grounds make for a natural exfoliant. This coffee scrub can remove the dead layer of the dry skin, which can help relieve itching to a great extent. The olive oil and honey hydrate the newly exposed skin. The exfoliation allows these two ingredients to deeply moisturize the skin and give it a unique glow.

Things you’ll need:

coffee grounds for dry skin things need

  • Honey (has hydrating properties)– 1 tablespoon
  • Coffee grounds (natural exfoliant)– 2 tablespoons
  • Olive oil (helps moisturize dry skin)– 1 tablespoon

Step 1. Mix coffee grounds, honey and olive oil

mix coffee grounds honey and olive oil fro dry skin

  • Add 1 tablespoon of honey to 2 tablespoons of coffee grounds.
  • Add in 1 tablespoon of olive oil as well.
  • Mix the ingredients completely. Your coffee scrub is ready.

Step 2. Use the scrub to exfoliate the dry skin

coffee grounds scrub for dry skin
Homemade coffee scrub to get rid of dry skin
  • Lightly massage the coffee scrub over the dry skin with your hands.
  • Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing it off with plain water.

Use this scrub at least twice a week to get rid of dry skin and expose newly moisturized skin. Don’t’ scrub too hard and it's important to moisturize after exfoliation.

Tips to keep in mind

  • For even better results, try using more than one of the remedies. You can also use a combination of different nourishing oils for a moisturizing elixir.
  • To get the maximum hydration from oils, use them at night before going to bed and after your morning shower when your skin is still damp. This will allow the skin to completely absorb the oils.
  • Massage the body with olive or coconut oil before hopping into the shower. You can also draw a hot bath and add about 5 tablespoons of virgin olive or coconut oil to it for deeply nourished skin.
  • Use humidifiers in the winter. Set the humidity level at around 60 percent to replenish the moisture in your skin.
  • Limit your bath or shower time to 5 to 10 minutes. Prolonged time in water can strip the skin of its natural oils. Avoid using harsh or perfumed bath products.

Resources:

  1. Garibyan L, Rheingold CG, Lerner EA. Understanding the pathophysiology of itch. Dermatologic therapy. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3696473/. Published 2013.
  2. Evangelista MTP, Abad‐Casintahan F, Lopez‐Villafuerte L. The effect of topical virgin coconut oil on SCORAD index, transepidermal water loss, and skin capacitance in mild to moderate pediatric atopic dermatitis: a randomized, double‐blind, clinical trial. International Journal of Dermatology. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ijd.12339. Published December 10, 2013.
  3. Purnamawati S, Indrastuti N, Danarti R, Saefudin T. The Role of Moisturizers in Addressing Various Kinds of Dermatitis: A Review. Clinical medicine & research. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5849435/. Published December 2017.
  4. Casetti F, Wölfle U, Gehring W, Schempp CM. Dermocosmetics for dry skin: a new role for botanical extracts. Skin pharmacology and physiology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21709432. Published 2011.

Summary of How to Get Rid of Dry Skin

get rid of dry skin

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