On these cold winter days, we all suffer from dry skin, which beyond the burdensome feeling of lack of moisture also makes us experience static electricity when we touch objects or other people. In general, the winter period brings with it a sense of dryness, and its symptoms are aggravated by the passage of years or problematic nutritional habits.
Of course, you can use a moisturizer to fight the troublesome dryness, but why use something store-bought when you can make your own natural home remedies. Here are 10 cheap and natural ways to treat dry skin, which will get you through the winter without any unnecessary suffering.
Olive oil contains antioxidants and healthy fatty acids which are beneficial to the skin. It can smooth out dry skin and can be used all over the body. About half an hour to an hour before showering, apply some olive oil to your hands, feet and any other particularly dry area of your body and massage gently. You can also make a scrub by mixing 2 tablespoons of olive oil with 4 tablespoons of brown sugar and a tablespoon of honey. Apply it to the affected areas in circular motions for a few minutes and then rinse with lukewarm water.
Milk has anti-inflammatory properties that help get rid of dry, itchy skin. In addition, the lactic acid found in it can easily get rid of dead skin cells, which cause increased dryness. Cleopatra, the queen of ancient Egypt, was known for bathing in milk, but you could simply soak a cloth in cold milk and apply it to the dry skin for 5-7 minutes, then go over the same area with a cloth soaked in lukewarm water to wash it off.
Honey is considered one of the most recommended natural moisturizers for use on the body, as it is anti-microbial, contains antioxidants, can prevent moisture from leaving the body and it also contains B vitamins that help to maintain moisture. Before showering, apply honey to your body and leave it on for 10 minutes. Then rinse and enjoy smooth skin with locked-in moisture.
Yogurt is an excellent remedy for preventing moisture from escaping the skin. It is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties which help smooth dry skin and prevent itching. Spread yogurt on your hands, face, and feet and massage it into your skin. Leave it on for 10 minutes and rinse in the shower - it will also help get rid of dead skin cells. In addition, once a week you can mix half a cup of yogurt with 3 tablespoons of papaya puree, a few drops of honey and lemon juice, apply the product on dry skin and rinse with cold water after 10 minutes.
Coconut oil has a very respectable amount of fatty acids which help compensate for the loss of moisture in the skin. Heat the coconut oil a little, apply it to the skin before bedtime and rinse in the morning. You can also apply coconut oil to the skin after a shower or hot bath - when the skin is warm the coconut oil is much better absorbed.
Avocado is full of fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants that enrich the skin with the materials it needs. Its high Vitamin A content helps repair various skin damage and restore its smoothness. Mash avocado and rub it over dry skin. Leave the avocado on the skin for 10-15 minutes and rinse with cold water. You can also mix half a cup of avocado puree with a little honey, apply the mixture to the body and rinse after 15 minutes, once to twice a week. In addition, drinking an avocado shake will also help nourish your skin with moisture thanks to its healthy fat content, which will keep your skin in top shape.
Unlike other ingredients on the list, oatmeal is a dry product, but don’t doubt its ability to enrich your skin with moisture. The high protein content helps to create a layer that protects the skin from loss of moisture, is anti-inflammatory, and also contains antioxidants that are beneficial to overall skin health. Pour one cup of oatmeal into a hot bath and add a few drops of lavender oil. A 15-30 minute soak in this bath once a week will help keep your skin smooth and moist. You can also make a face mask with oats by mashing a ripe banana and mixing it with a cup of ground oatmeal and a little warm milk. Apply this mixture to skin and rinse it with cold water after 10-15 minutes. Repeat once a week.
If you suffer from cracked skin, even moisturizer may no longer help you. However, regular vinegar does wonders in such a situation and it also helps speed up the healing process of wounds. It has antimicrobial capabilities, which help prevent the cracks from developing infections if they become wounds. Mix 2 tablespoons of water with 2 tablespoons of vinegar, dip a cloth in the solution and lay it over the dry cracked skin for 10-15 minutes, 3 times a day. You can then continue to moisturize the skin in any of the other ways shown in the article to further improve the result.
Almond oil is an excellent source of vitamin E, which is considered one of the most essential ingredients for maintaining skin moisture. In addition, it has anti-inflammatory properties and because it is less oily than other oils it absorbs into the skin much easier. Massage pure warm almond oil on the dry skin before showering, or drink a glass of warm milk mixed with a teaspoon of almond oil. If you do this every night before going to sleep, you’ll wake up every morning with soft, pleasant skin.
