Top 10 Natural Treatments For Dry Skin During Winter

This content has been Medically reviewed by Dr. Surya Kedara, MBBS – General Physician

Winter is one such season which not only brings some pleasurable experiences for heart and mind but also brings uncomfortable dryness to the skin of the face, hands, and feet. With the temperature drop, the humidity level drops as well and our skin becomes parched due to dry air. We should be very careful and attentive to our skin as it readily reacts to the atmospheric humidity and dampness. This leads to skin dryness and unnecessary pimple growth.

 

Reasons for Skin Dryness

The reasons for skin dryness are several. Here we have listed out a few common causes.

• Strong winter winds lower the level of skin’s natural lipids, which are the most important part of the skin barrier and keep skin from drying out.
• Cold air has less moisture than warm or hot air. Therefore cold air during winter can immensely affect our skin by making it dry.
• A hot shower during winter can leave the skin dry, flaky, and itchy.
• Hot drinks like coffee contain caffeine that can dry the skin from the inside.
• Warm winter clothing can cause irritation and can leave the skin itchy.
• Although we do not feel the heat of the sun during winter, yet the presence of ultra violet radiation can damage our skin.

Top 10 Natural Home Remedies for Dry Skin

During winter our skin needs extra care. Extreme temperatures, harsh winds, winter sun, centrally-heated homes and workplaces are responsible for skin problems during winter.

Milk Cream

Milk cream is one of the most well known home remedies for dry skin. The presence of lactic acid in milk helps improve our skin health. Lactic acid exfoliates the dry dead surface of the skin and accelerates collagen production too. Milk is a great source of Caprylic Acid which helps maintain the proper pH balance for our skin. Milk cream is also an amazing moisturizer that is really needed for dry skin care.

Ingredients:

Lemon Juice-few drops

Milk- 1 teaspoon

Milk cream- 2 teaspoons

Add lemon juice and milk to milk cream. Apply the paste on the face, hands and legs. Leave it for 15 minutes and thereafter wash off with water.

Honey

Perfect dry skin tips should include honey which contains properties that benefit dry and flaking skin. It is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are chemicals that transfer electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent and can prevent or slow cell damage. Our skin is the largest organ of our body and it should be looked after very affectionately. Antioxidants protect the skin by controlling the production of free radicals that can be the main reason for damage or death of a cell.

Ingredients:

Honey-2 tea spoons

Olive oil-few drops

Mix a few drops of olive oil and honey. Before taking a bath apply the pack all over the body. Leave it for 10 minutes and there after wash off with water.

Olive Oil

The best beauty tips for dry skin should include olive oil. Olive oil contains four major antioxidants which allow it to work as a cleanser, moisturizer, and protector of skin. Vitamin A and Vitamin E are the most important antioxidants. Vitamin E helps neutralize the oxidant effect of free radicals that damage collagen and is the main reason of wrinkles, fine lines and skin dryness. Vitamin E reduces the chain reaction of free radicals. Vitamin A thickens and stimulates the Dermis, as well as reduces wrinkles and increases blood flow to the surface of the skin.

Ingredients:

Olive oil-few drops

Brown sugar- 1 tea spoon

Add few drops of olive oil to brown sugar. Rub the paste on dry skin. Leave it for 15 minutes and there after wash off with water.

Milk

The use of milk is one of the best known treatments for dry skin. Milk contains components related to the hormone testosterone, which stimulates oil glands in the skin and reduces the chance of acne. Milk helps prevent premature aging, remove stains on the face, make the face look more radiant, lower allergic skin reaction, heals wounds, nourishes and softens the skin and removes dead skin cells.

Ingredients:

Rose water-few drops

Lemon juice- few drops

Milk-4 table spoons

Mix a few drops of rose water, Lemon juice and 4 table spoons of milk. Apply the solution all over the body. Leave it for 10 minutes and there after wash off with cold water.

Castor oil

Best dry skin care tips always includes the mention of castor oil. Castor oil reduces stretch marks, sunburn, acne and dry skin. It also helps evade infections like athlete’s foot and chronic itching. Castor oil effectively treats ringworms, a common and stubborn skin problem across all age groups. It stimulates the production of collagen and elastin. Elastin is a protein in connective tissue that allows tissues in the body to resume their shape after stretching. It also helps skin immensely to return to its original position when it is stretched.

Ingredients:

Castor oil

Apply a thick layer of castor oil all over the body before taking a bath. Leave it for 10 minutes and there after wash off with water.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is one of the most well known home remedies for dry skin in winter. It is a great source of saturated fats, proteins, caprylic acid and Vitamin E. It has been proven that coconut oil is good for several skin disorders like acne, psoriasis and eczema. It is an exfoliant that scrapes off dead skin and cleans out dirt and impurities that block the pores. Being high in Potassium and low in Sodium, coconut reduces the levels of high blood pressure and reduces the chance of heart attack and heart diseases. It helps in blood sugar control and also plays a pivotal role in weight management.

Ingredients:

Coconut oil

Apply coconut oil all over the body before going to sleep at night. In the morning wash it off with water.

Yogurt

Yogurt comes from milk, and provides the dose of animal protein and several other nutrients like calcium, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B12, potassium and magnesium that you need. The presence of lactic acid helps prevent dry and itchy skin. According to the University of Vienna, a daily 7 ounce dose of yogurt is just as effective to boost immunity as popping pills. Yogurt helps remove dead skin cells, smooth out fine lines, tighten pores, hydrate dry patches and provide much-required shine and glow to dry skin.

Ingredients:

Yogurt

Apply fresh yogurt all over the body. Leave it for 10 minutes and there after wash off with water

Almond Oil

Almond Oil is one of the most well known home remedies for dry skin in winter. The health benefits of almonds include reduced risk of heart attack, lower cholesterol level, protection of artery walls from damage, helping build strong teeth and bones, provide healthy fats, help in weight loss, controlling levels of blood sugar, improving brain function, nourishing the nervous system, helping to alkalize the body and reducing the chance of cancer – specially colon cancer. Almond oil helps to improve the condition and appearance of our skin. It is rich in Vitamin E and is known as the best lubricator for dry skin.

Ingredients:

Almond oil

Heat some pure almond oil in a bowl. Apply the warm oil all over the body before taking a bath. Leave it for 30 minutes and there after wash off with water.

Avocado oil

Avocado oil is an effective nourishing remedy for dry skin. Avocado oil is high in plant steroids which help reduce age spots and hyperpigmentation. Avocado oil is rich in Vitamin E as well, which protects the skin from damage caused by free radicals and oxidative stress. It is a great source of omega 3 Fatty Acids. A diet for beautiful skin should include foods that are rich in omega 3 fatty acids which increase collagen production and reduce the risk of skin cancer. Avocado oil is ideal for dry and damaged skin because it helps to regenerate skin cells and rejuvenate skin.

Ingredients:

Avocado oil-4 table spoons

Honey-1 cup

Add 4 table spoons avocado oil to 1 cup of honey. Apply the mixture on the entire body before taking a bath. Leave it for 15 minutes and there after wash off with water.

Oatmeal

The benefits of oatmeal for health are well-known. Oatmeal also functions as a skin protectant. It protects the skin against various allergic infections and helps soothe itchiness. It works as a natural skin exfoliator that removes dead cells and adds a natural glow to skin. The presence of an amino acid, arganine helps oats to play the role of an effective immunity boosting food. Those who eat Oats are less likely to contract herpes and influenza too. It speeds up wound healing and also helps antibiotics to work more effectively.

Ingredients:

Oatmeal-1 cup

Lavender oil- a few drops

Add a few drops lavender oil to one cup of oatmeal soaked in water. Apply the paste on dry skin. Leave it for 15-30 minutes and there after wash off with water.

Say goodbye to dry skin with these home remedies using all natural ingredients and don’t forget to share your beauty tips with us.

Image Sources: feminiya.com, 365sanatate.ro, oils.organicxbenefits.com, curejoy.com, essentialoil.in, yatango.com.au.