Dry skin is the lack of moisture in the skin’s surface. It is characterized by skin tightening, roughness, dullness, cracking, itching, chapping, flaking, peeling, fine lines around the eyes and mouth line, lower legs and in the arms. Dry skin apparently is not pleasing to look at and is actually very uncomfortable. It also creates insecurity. For some, this isn’t a serious matter to worry about but for others, they feel disgusted of themselves and would want it all to just go away. It affects men and women at the same level but older people are usually much more prone to having this condition because they tend to lack oils that moisturize the skin and their whole physicality is just depleting.

There are several factors that affect the skin such as the weather and temperature, the time duration you spend outside, clothing, the soap you’re using, even the moisturizer you use may not be suitable for your skin type, genetics, exposure to sun, chemicals, use of make ups, poor dieting, side effect of drugs and medicines, using too much sanitizers and products with alcohol, lack of nutrition or certain vitamins of the body, stress, lack of rest, rubbing of skin, and excessive bathing which takes away natural and fatty oils that lubricates the skin and protects it from dryness. Simple and much natural ways to remedy dry skin follows:

1. Drinking lots of water

   It keeps your body and particularly your skin hydrated. Ten glasses of water or more would do so much. Not only does it do well for the skin but it washes impurities from the inside of the body. Avoid staying inside an air conditioned room for a long period of time. It dries the skin faster than you can imagine. If not, it would be best if you take a pan full of water and place it near you to maintain humidity in the air.

2. Rub some honey all over your skin

   Foremost, people use lotion and moisturizers to tend their drying skin but some others actually does it the wrong way. After bathing, you should refrain from rubbing your skin too much to dry it. Instead, you pat it gently and prevent it from drying totally then you’ll have to apply moisturizer so fluids and moisture would be trap inside the skin. When dry skin occurs, most may experience itchiness and surely it’s irresistible. Just be sure you don’t scratch yourself too hard wounding it. You’d only allow bacteria into your skin and complications such as infection may occur.

   Using the right moisturizer, such as those made of honey, should also be in mind, however, most quality moisturizers come in high prices and are also hard to find. Yet there are simpler, less complex and cheaper things you can do on a regular basis in order to remedy the dryness of your skin. For instance, rubbing honey all over the skin will not only moisturize the skin but honey also serves as antibacterial and antiviral, which can help shield your body from nasty microorganisms.

3. Rub on sesame oil after a shower

   Sesame oil is a natural moisturizer. While some people rub themselves with sesame oil before jumping into the shower, others do it after. Considered the queen of oils, sesame oil is a great antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory. In India, it is commonly used in bathing as it can penetrate the skin deeply and quickly, aiding overall health status.

4. Use petroleum jelly on lips, hands and feet

   The use of petroleum jelly to combat dry skin is fairly common. As its name suggest, this substance comes from petroleum, the ones used for gasoline and diesel fuels. Petroleum jelly is an emollient; it replaces the fats and lipids through filling in between the gaps of the skin cells. Eventually, one will have well-hydrated skin since the fluids inside the body will not easily escape, and fluids that causes dryness outside the body can easily be kept away.

5. Use natural soap

   Right choice of soap should be made. Most commercial soaps contain chemicals that are harmful and are not suitable for the skin. Yes, it cleans but it also dries the skin and irritates it as well. Better be careful in choosing your facial and bathing soaps. And oh, always touch your skin gently to avoid irritation. Handling detergents very often may cause a big impact to skin and result to dryness due to its chemicals. It would be better if you use gloves to protect your skin from over exposure to detergents or choose a detergent that is gentle and safe to skin and hands.

6. Mash a banana and use as a face mask

   Who says banana’s just for eating? A banana would make a good facial treat that could bring back moisture onto skin. Simply mash the banana and apply it onto face or areas with patches of dry skin then rinse with warm water around fifteen minutes afterwards. A ripe banana is the best option. Banana peels would make a good use too! Instead of throwing it away, first rub your heels against the banana peeling and there you go, bye cracked heels! It leaves heels soft and moisturized in a natural way.

7. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetable

   Foods with omega3 are also recommended because this supplement when digested produces natural oils that protect skin. A good diet helps a lot in keeping you healthy inside out. Avoid alcohol; it contributes to lessening fluids and minerals in the body. Alcohol also can damage blood vessels that would later appear in the skin’s surface.

8. Smoking? Then quit!

   Smoking makes you look a lot older than you are. Smoking contributes a lot to aging. Besides, you do not only affect your skin alone but also the people that surround you while smoking. Exposure to smoke dries and wrinkles skin and it also decreases the essential vitamin that keeps moisture, vitamin C. Smoking not only destroys skin cells causing dryness but destroys the whole human body itself and others. Smoking is pollution!

9. Exercise

   It makes you sweat which pushes oils out of the pores and allows skin to get hydrated. Staying in one place and not allowing the body to move freely or actively contributes a lot to aging and drying. A good exercise allows blood circulation and keeps skin and body young, healthy and fit. It purifies skin from the inside.

10. Include spices, such as turmeric, cumin and coriander in your diet

    Adding spices into your diet will help prevention of dry skin since these spices can help in the production of collagen and in keeping the skin moisturized. They are known antioxidants, so they can scavenge on the toxins that cause the skin to get dry. If used as exfoliant, it also helps in keeping the skin moisturized.

Moreover, a good night sleep helps a lot, really. Repairing of skin cells is during this period of time. Resting for eight straight hours in the form of sleep every night will do. Better be sure that you sleep same time and undisturbed every night. Lack of sleep makes the face seem stressed, tired and weary. A perfect sleep gives a person an active lifestyle and healthy glowing skin. Many more remedies could be helpful in maintaining good skin but it’s better to choose the easiest and simplest way in doing so. We don’t want to spend a lot don’t we? When all these remedies are still not making any better with your problem, go seek a doctor. They sure can tell you what to do about it. Taking care of oneself and proper hygiene is the most essential tool in preventing dry skin.

Sources
care2.com
natural-homeremedies.com
home-remedies-for-you.com