DIY Treatments for Dry Skin

Posted by Kat Stein on 2nd Nov 2018

DIY Treatments for Dry Skin

Now that we are well into fall, you may have started noticing your skin feeling dryer and not as vibrant as it was during the summer. With the holidays approaching, we know it may feel like too much to have to buy extra skincare products (aside from your every day essentials!), so we have put together a list of skin treatments that use ingredients you already have in your home!

Natural Soap Alternatives

Occasionally, we all use a harmful product or two without even realizing what we’re doing. Soap can be very drying, and many studies have shown that we tend to use more than we need! While we don’t recommend cutting soap completely (hello flu season!), we do urge you to take a look at the ingredients in the soaps you’re currently using. Most commercially made soaps contain fragrance oils and sulfates, both of which are extremely drying to the skin, and this is easy to notice when the weather changes. For hands, Everyone Soap is a wonderful, natural option that will cut down on drying out your skin. For hands and body, Dr. Bronner’s is lovely!

As we always say, it is never a good idea to use soap on the face, as this skin is especially delicate and sensitive. If you already have a preferred facial cleanser or scrub, stick to that! If you’re interested in a DIY alternative, try this homemade face soap alternative:

Yogurt Based Cleanser

Yogurt is reputably wonderful for the skin. Choose a Greek yogurt or strained yogurt so that it won’t be too runny, and make sure it isn’t fat free! The more fat in the yogurt, the more moisturizing it will be for your skin.

In a bowl, mix:

-half a cup of plain yogurt

-1 teaspoon of raw honey

-1 teaspoon of olive oil

Apply the mixture to your face and massage it into your skin with small, circular motions. Rinse with lukewarm water – hot water tends to dry skin out – pat dry, and apply your moisturizer!

Exfoliation

Dry skin usually benefits from an exfoliating scrub 2-3 times a week, depending on skin sensitivity. Exfoliation helps rid the skin of dead, dry skin cells and helps open up pores and make them more receptive to moisturizers. A moisturizing exfoliating scrub will be your best bet if your skin is especially dry! We carry a wonderful line of face and body scrubs, but if you want to try making your own, here’s what to do:

Mix the following in a bowl:

-1 tablespoon of sugar (white sugar if you want a more gentle scrub, raw sugar if you’re looking for something a little more intense)

-1 tablespoon plain yogurt

-1/4 teaspoon olive oil or avocado oil

Splash your face and/or body with warm water, then apply the scrub, gently rubbing it into the skin. Rise with lukewarm water and pat dry.

Cooking Oils

Olive oil is an excellent ingredient for dry skin. It also has antibacterial qualities, so it is helpful for acne and other inflammation as well! Try dabbing a drop or two on your skin before putting on moisturizer and makeup to help give your skin a little extra boost of moisture. Bye bye dry skin!

Masks

A deep, penetrating mask can help penetrate the skin and lock in moisture. This can be achieved with just one ingredient…an avocado! Try mashing up an avocado until it’s creamy (you may even want to add a few drops of olive oil) and massage onto your face. Leave the mask on for 15 minutes or so to let it do its work, rinse off with warm water, and follow with a cold splash. This will close up the pores and keep the moisture locked in!

Finding the best treatments for your skin can relieve pain and discomfort and boost your self-confidence. Dry skin doesn’t have to be a yearly battle - or an expensive one!