Dry skin is not a serious health problem nor is it contagious but it can be very uncomfortable and unpleasant to look at. Dry skin simply means that the epidermis is lacking in sebum or moisture. The skin appears scaly and is filled with fine lines and wrinkles. It is also characterized by peeling and itching. Dry skin can be caused by cold weather, dry climate, vitamin deficiency, over-exposure to sunlight, an underlying illness or the natural ageing of the skin.

1. Home Remedies
2. Other Remedies
3. Diet

Home Remedies For Dry Skin

Avocado As A Natural Remedy For Dry Skin

Properties: The avocado is a fruit that was once considered to be an aphrodisiac. It is best eaten raw because it contains tannin which causes it to become bitter in taste when cooked. It is rich in Vitamins A, B, D, E as well as amino acids. These nutrients help bring back moisture to the skin and prevent it from getting dry. The avocado is also rich in antioxidants that help the body to regenerate and protects it from free radicals.

Using Avocado as a Treatment for Dry Skin:

Mash a ripe avocado fruit and spread the pulp all over the area of your skin that is dry. Let it stay on the skin for at least 15 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water.

Olive Oil As A Natural Remedy For Dry Skin

Properties: Olive oil is pressed directly from the olive fruit. It contains high amounts of oleic acid which is a mono-unsaturated fat. It also contains phenols and Vitamin E and is rich in antioxidants that help in the regeneration of damaged cells. It is great for skin care because helps to attract moisture to the skin and also helps the skin to retain moisture. Olive oil is gentle on the skin and can be used by adults as well as small children.

Using Olive Oil as a Treatment for Dry Skin:

Gently massage olive oil all over the face and the rest of the body to keep the skin soft and supple.

Shea Butter As A Natural Remedy For Dry Skin

Properties: Shea butter is the unadulterated fat derived from the nuts of the shea tree. It can be eaten or used in cooking. It is also a common ingredient in making soaps, lotions and cosmetics. It is a powerful emollient that deeply moisturizes the skin without clogging the pores. It is rich in Vitamins A, F and E. Shea butter also protects the skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun which is one of the major causes of dry skin. This makes it one of the best natural remedies for dry skin

Using Shea Butter as a Treatment For Dry Skin:

Apply pure shea butter generously onto the skin preferably after a shower when the skin is still damp. Massage the shea butter thoroughly into the skin to get rid of the greasy feeling thus leaving the skin silky and smooth. Also use other skin care products that contain shea butter such as soaps and lotions to get the best results.

Lavender Oil As A Home Remedy For Dry Skin

Properties: Lavender oil is an essential oil popularly used in aromatherapy. It is also very beneficial for the skin as it contains polyphenolic and rosmarinic acids that are rich in antioxidants. It also contains ursolic acid that has antibacterial properties and helps prevent the degradation of skin tissues. This makes it one of the best home remedies for dry skin. Lavender oil is commonly used in skin care products because it helps revitalize the skin and cure different skin problems - dry skin, acne, sunburn, boils, burns, oily skin and insect bites. Lavender oil also helps in preventing the premature aging of the skin.

Using Lavender Oil as a Cure for Dry Skin:

After washing the face in the morning and in the evening, liberally apply lavender oil onto the areas of the skin that are dry.

Aloe Vera As A Home Remedy For Dry Skin

Properties: Aloe vera is a perennial plant with spear-like leaves that contain a gel-like substance. This gel is the part of the plant that is commonly used in treatment of skin conditions and in cosmetics. It is generally made up of water, glycoproteins and polysaccharides, and has anti-inflammatory properties. These properties make it one of the best home remedies for dry skin. It has been proven to be very helpful in the regeneration of damaged skin cells and is commonly used as an ingredient in making lotions, creams, shampoos and soaps.

Using Aloe Vera as a Cure for Dry Skin:

Apply aloe vera gel directly onto the areas affected by dry skin preferably after taking a shower when the skin is moist and clean. It will help soothe the skin and relieve dryness. The leaf of the aloe vera plant may also be split to expose the gel inside and it may be rubbed directly onto the dry skin.

Banana As A Home Remedy For Dry Skin

Properties: The banana is one of the most highly praised fruits by nutritionists, as it is known to be rich in fiber, with high amounts of vitamins and minerals and contains zero fat. It is a delicious fruit that is also an excellent source of energy. Compared to any other fruit, the banana contains the highest amount of potassium and Vitamin B6. Bananas are best eaten when they are ripe, but if they are to be consumed unripe then they should be cooked to make them easier to digest. The banana is excellent for the skin because of its emollient properties. It keeps the skin moisturized and smooth.

Using Banana as a Cure for Dry Skin:

Make a facial mask out of bananas by mashing two ripe bananas. Apply this paste onto the face and leave it on for at least 15 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water. Honey may also be added to the banana facial mask for better results.

Egg Yolk As a Home Remedy For Dry Skin

Properties: Egg yolk was once at the top of the list of the foods to avoid because it was believed that it contained high amounts of cholesterol. Recent studies, however, have proved this belief to be wrong. The yolk of the egg can be very beneficial to the well-being of a person, as it is rich in Vitamins A, E and D, and it contains minerals such as calcium, folate, copper and iron, and also contains high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. An egg yolk can be very beneficial for the skin because of its high Vitamin A content which is great for treating dry skin.

Using Egg Yolk as a Cure for Dry Skin:

Crack a fresh egg and separate the yolk from the white. Lightly beat the yolk and apply directly onto the parts of the body affected by dry skin. Leave on for about 20 minutes and then rinse off with warm water.

Other Home Remedies For Dry Skin

Mix together a teaspoon of olive oil, an egg yolk, a teaspoon of honey and some ground oatmeal. Mix thoroughly to create a paste. Apply the paste onto the skin and leave on for about 15 minutes before rinsing off. This is one of the best natural remedies for dry skin

Puree one banana, one avocado and one papaya until smooth. Apply the fruit puree onto the skin and leave on for at least 20 minutes.

Apply mayonnaise onto the face or other areas affected by dry skin. Leave on for 15 to 20 minute before rinsing off.

Rub grape-seed oil onto the dry skin to moisturize it.

Add a small amount of honey into a small bowl of cooked oatmeal. Use this mixture as a moisturizing mask for dry skin.

Use virgin coconut oil to moisturize the skin after a shower instead of using a regular body lotion as one of natural remedies for dry skin.

Place a whole cucumber into the food processor and blend till it becomes a fine paste. Apply the cucumber paste onto the skin to bring back moisture to the skin. Cucumber is considered one among the popular natural remedies for dry skin.

Finely grate two apples and apply them directly to the skin. Leave on for 20 minutes before rinsing off with cold water.

Diet For Dry Skin

Drink plenty of water to keep the entire body as well as the skin hydrated. Drink at least two liters of water a day.

Eat plenty of foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, tuna and other types of fish as diet for dry skin to keep the skin healthy and free from dryness.

A diet for dry skin consists mostly of foods that contain high amounts of Vitamins A, B and C. These vitamins are rich in antioxidants that help in skin repair. Examples of these foods are strawberries, carrots, oranges, blueberries and apricots.

Eat plenty of green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale that are known to be rich in Vitamins A, B and C.

Eat lots of foods that are rich in sulfur like garlic, eggs and asparagus.

Fruits that are high in liquid-content are also great for treating dry skin. Examples of these fruits are grapes, cantaloupes, watermelons and oranges.