Heal Dry Skin with Natural Remedies

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Dry skin can crop up at any time, but it is more prevalent in the winter.  You probably notice that each Autumn when the weather starts to change, that your face feels a little tight or your legs a little scratchy or “ashy”. The cooler air, low humidity, and forced heat indoors contribute to dry skin in winter, and so can certain diet deficiences.

Food intolerances can also cause itching. As I’ve mentioned before, my youngest daughter breaks out in a terribly itchy rash if she eats wheat, and will be up half the night scratching. I keep her away from wheat but if she accidentally gets some, I know it right away.

There are all kinds of natural remedies to help you heal dry skin, here are a few you can use right away.

The first and most obvious when dealing with dry skin is to moisturize it.  But even before that, it’s good to start with using a gentler cleanser so you don’t strip the moisture needlessly in the first place. Then, some conventional moisturizers contain alcohol, which can further dry out the skin.  Using home remedies is often more effective and maybe safer, since the products you make at home will be paraben free.  Here are some to try.

* Healthy fats moisturize your skin from the inside out.  If it is not producing enough oils in the first place, putting moisturizer on the skin will have limited benefits. 

Make sure you’re getting enough omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in your diet.

These are found in nuts, legumes, and fatty fish.  Keep in mind that the typical American diet has far too much Omega 6 and far too little Omega 3. That’s because so many people eat a ton of vegetable oil, which is high in Omega 6, and not enough of the sources of Omega 3. They should be about 50/50. Omega 3s also reduce inflammation in the body so are therefore good for arthritis, fibromyalgia and other conditions related to inflammation. Good sources include fatty fish and cod liver oil, walnuts, eggs from pastured chickens, and dairy products from grass fed cows (as well as grass fed beef itself).

* Drink plenty of water.  If you have bags under your eyes, you may not be getting enough water. Speaking of water, apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp. This will help it sink in better.

* Avoid overwashing your skin. Using soaps, perfumes and detergents that dry out your skin makes the problem worse.  It really isn’t necessary to apply soap to most of your body when you bathe. Just the stinky bits. ;)

* Make a banana and papaya mask.  Simply puree one of each together and apply to your face, leaving it on for 20 to 30 minutes.  Rinse with warm water.  This will help remove dead skin cells and moisturize your skin.

* Take a milk bath.  This works nicely for dry skin all over the body.  You can simply pour milk into your bathwater, or try this bath milk treatment for dry skin. Oatmeal baths are also great for dry skin.