Dry skin is a very common problem in men and women and is especially severe during the cold winter months. A bit of care and some simple methods will help in treating this problem adequately and help your skin remain well moisturized all throughout the year.
Use oatmeal
Dryness of the skin can be controlled through nourishing baths that can be done 3-4 times a week. Oatmeal is a great herbal remedy for combating dryness of the skin. Full of nutrients and vitamin E which is essential for skin health and moisture, oatmeal bath can be undertaken in the morning and evening every day. Put two cups of oatmeal into a tub filled with warm water. Soak your body in this bath for 20 minutes every day. Oatmeal is also a gentle exfoliant which will help in removing the dry skin cells that have accumulated on the skin surface. Skin will be visibly softer and smoother after this treatment with lots of moisture and natural shine as a result of vitamin E. Take some oatmeal and make a paste with water. For a quick remedy for dry skin, rub this paste on your dry skin or face for 4-5 minutes and rinse off. This will impart an instant shine and glow to your skin.
Moisturize the skin
Skin needs frequent moisturization, failing which you can end up with dryness and roughness. For moisturizing your skin, you can use many natural moisturizers as well as creams and lotions available in the market. Aloe vera is a great natural skin moisturizer which can be obtained from the aloe plant at home. It has great skin regenerating, nourishing, and healing properties as well and ideal for dry and sensitive skin. Obtain the gel from the aloe stalk and apply on the dry skin regularly. Another wonderful nourishing and moisturizing agent is cocoa butter which has antioxidant qualities as well. Massage the skin with cocoa butter for 15 minutes every day for keeping it soft, supple, and free from dryness. Tea tree oil and evening primrose oil too are great remedies that can be used for moisturizing the skin and preventing dryness. Both can be diluted and applied on the skin for preventing dryness, especially if the dryness is associated with skin infections like eczema.
Use organic soaps
Sometimes overuse of harsh soaps can be the reason for your dry skin. Along with the above treatment methods, you must also avoid the use of harsh detergents, perfumes, soaps, etc. Instead, you may use natural cleansers and soaps with more moisture content like âDoveâ, soaps with milk cream, shea butter, glycerine, bees wax, aloe vera, honey, etc. These soaps will help retain the natural oils produced by your skin and prevent skin dryness and wrinkling. Organic soaps may not look all that appealing and inviting with fancy scents. They are good for your skin, even though they could be expensive. You can also use oatmeal as a natural soap by adding a natural fragrance like rose oil or lavender oil to it in order to retain the freshness after the bath.
Oil massage
Massaging your skin with oil once or twice a week will also help in treating dry skin and preventing dryness from setting in, especially during winter season. A number of oils can be deemed suitable as massage oil for dry skin. Top in the list are olive oil, coconut oil, vegetable oils like peanut oil, sunflower oil, mineral oil, and neem oil. Any one or combination of these oils can be used for massaging your skin thoroughly for at least 30 minutes 2-3 times a week or more depending on how dry your skin may be. Leave the oil on for at least 2-3 hours before washing off. This will give a natural shine and glow to your skin. Olive oil is particularly good for sealing the moisture of the skin after bath. Dab some olive oil after every bath to prevent skin from drying.
Diet requirements
A diet that is rich in omega 3 fatty acids like flax seeds, fish oil, walnuts, etc., can be included in plenty to provide internal nourishment as well along with these external treatments for your dry skin. Avocados are particularly good for dry skin. The high fat content in avocados help in treating dry skin problems. Avocados can also be made into a paste and applied on the dry skin for great results.
