15 Home Remedies for Dry Skin in Winter

The list of things that can cause dry skin is a long one, from regular bathing habits and wicked winter weather to a lack of oils in your skin as you age.

The good news is that there is no need to visit a dermatologist to protect your dry skin. Instead, opt for a natural remedy to your skincare routine at home.

In fact, the best thing about these home remedies is the ingredients used in these remedies are present in every kitchen.

However, before we get into the home remedies for dry skin, let us first see what is dry skin.

What Causes Dry Skin?
Your body is a dynamic organism that repeatedly;y keeps changing both mentally and physically.

Similarly, when the climate changes, your body starts adapting to the change instantly.

Therefore, the final outcome of a cold climate is that you may end up having dry skin.

Dryness is caused when there is no enough moisture in the skin. In simple terms, during summer we sweat a lot which is good for your skin and keeps it nourished.

During cold winters, we sweat less. As a result, our skin does not get enough moisture that is required for keeping it glowing and nourished.

This in turn causes dry skin.

Some of the main causes of dry skin in winter include hot showers during the winter, winter heat, and using soaps that make your skin dry.

All you need for dry skin is a moisturizing cream that will do the work and keep your skin soft and well-nourished.

Home Remedies for Dry Skin in Winter

Well, if you think that a moisturizing cream can do wonders, you must check out some home remedies for dry skin also.

Moisturizing creams can do good if you have them with you, but in times when you do not have one, then you must know some simple steps that will ensure glowing and soft skin.

Here is a list of some home remedies that will help you treat dry skin.

Wipe olive oil on your skin and then wipe it using a damp cloth.

You will see that your skin starts to glow and have a shining effect.

Avocado Mask- Making a homemade Avocado facial mask will smoothen your skin and avoid it from getting dry skin.

This is one of the popular home remedies for dry skin.

What you have to do is take a half Avocado and add one teaspoon of honey to it.

Once the mixture is ready, apply this combination to your face and allow it to dry for 20 minutes.

This will moisturize your skin and give a glowing effect.

Coconut Oil- Another popular home remedy for dry skin is to apply coconut oil on your skin before you go to sleep.

You will find that the coconut oil becomes solid when kept at solid room temperature, which in turn will make it the right moisturizing cream.

According to a study, coconut oil is as effective and safe as petroleum jelly for treating dry and itchy skin.

It is found that coconut oil significantly improves skin hydration and also increases the number of fats on the skin surface.

As per a study, coconut oil consists of saturated fatty acids that include emollient properties.

An emollient is an oil or fat that acts as a skin moisturizer by filling the gaps in dry skin, making it even and smooth.

Milk- Milk is a common ingredient used in most home remedies for dry skin.

You can even apply milk to your face as it has lactic acid and several anti-inflammatory properties that are best for curing itchy skin including skin cracks.

If you are suffering from sunburn, dry skin, or skin cracks, then you must use aloe vera gel.

Always use lukewarm water to wash your face, instead of hot water.

Drink a lot of water to keep yourself hydrated.

Drinking more water will help you sweat a lot and this will keep the skin nourished.

Washing your face using cold water will open your skin pores and removes all dirt and toxins and then shuts it back.

You should do this every night before going to sleep.

Several studies have proved that a diet including milk could enhance dry skin.

A study found that fat contained in milk, known as a phospholipid, enhances the skin barrier in mice when it was added to their diet.

Though more studies are required to see if drinking milk has a similar effect on the human skin.

A mix of honey & cinnamon powder- Honey and cinnamon powder make it a perfect mix to be added to your face.

Once this is done, you much wash your face after 15 minutes.

This home remedy is best for treating dry skin.

Sunflower seed oil- This is one of the home remedies for dry skin that is not quite popular but is very effective.

According to a study in 2013, sunflower seed oil improves hydration when you use it in the form of a moisturizer.

The same study also found that olive oil actually works on the skin barrier and makes it smooth and glowing.

Petroleum Jelly- Petroleum Jelly, also known as mineral oil has been used as a skin moisturizer for years.

According to a study in 2017, the skin barrier in old people started improving after they started using petroleum jelly.

This study supports the use of petroleum jelly to treat dry skin, mainly the ones caused by aging.

Aloe Vera- This is one of the common home remedies for dry skin.

Any list that talks about remedies for dry skin are incomplete without mentioning Aloe Vera.

Aloe Vera gel gives relief from dry skin, as per many studies.

A person who has dry skin on their feet and hands can apply Aloe Vera gel and cover the specific area with a glove or sock.

It is better to do this before going to bed and allow the gel to stay on the skin for the whole night.

If you have dry skin on any other body part, you can apply aloe vera gel and allow it to soak throughout the night for the best results.

A scrub made of sugar and olive oil- Make a moisturizing exfoliating natural scrub by mixing sugar and olive oil.

Mix 1/2 a cup of sugar with 2 tbsp of olive oil.

Experts say that if you want, you can even add your favorite essential oil like lavender to the mixture as it adds a natural fragrance and also helps you relax.

Slowly apply this mixture to your skin and scrub softly.

Later, wash it off after scrubbing for 10 minutes.

Use your favorite moisturizer.

This is important to lock the benefits of the exfoliated skin.

Exfoliate your skin using a mask made of oats and honey- Oatmeal is a great skin exfoliator.

To make a scrub out of oatmeal, mix 2 tbsp of oats and 1 tbsp of honey, and few drops of water.

According to experts, you must warm this mixture and then rub it on your skin.

You can use this combination as it is to exfoliate your skin or you can leave it on your face for 15 to 20 minutes as a hydrating mask.

Use a Fruit Enzyme Exfoliator or Cleanser- Fruit enzymes are great for dry skin.

These are alpha-hydroxy acids that are great for exfoliating the dry skin layer on the body and face.

Skin experts recommend using a fruit-enzyme-infused face wash or a mask at least two times a week.

Some of the good fruit enzymes you must look for include papaya, pineapple, and pumpkin.

Moisturize your skin immediately after having a bath- If the skin on your body and face is too dry, then there are high chances that you are already slathering a good amount of moisturizer on your skin.

According to skin experts, applying moisturizer is important for the skin.

They recommend moisturizing the skin immediately after you take a shower is the best way to lock in moisture.

Adjusting your shower temperature- This is another one on the list of home remedies for dry skin.

Dermatologists note that relieving dry skin is at times as simple as making some changes in your shower routine.

While most people love taking hot showers, these can dry out the skin and can cause serious damage to it.

If you are looking for home remedies for dry skin, you should not ignore your soap.

Use a soap that moisturizes and repairs the skin. They can make allergic reactions worse and also make the skin thinner with chemicals.

One of the easiest home remedies for dry skin that everyone can follow is taking shower in warm water, rather than hot water.

And use soaps that are fragrance-free and are gentler on the skin when compared to traditional soaps.

Avoid irritants and allergens- Dry skin may also be related to the clothes that you are wearing or what your skin is exposed to.

Spending time in chlorinated water, sitting near the fireplace, or wearing woolen clothes can cause skin irritation and make it dry.

So, before you jump into following any home remedies for dry skin, check what you are putting on your skin.

Include Omega-3 and Anti-Oxidants in your diet- All of us know that whatever we eat gets reflected on your hair and skin.

One of the simplest home remedies for dry skin is to keep a check on what you eat.

If you want to avoid skin dryness, make sure to eat foods that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and anti-oxidants

The best way to include antioxidants in your diet is to have tomatoes, blueberries, beans, carrots, lentils, and peas.

For including healthy fats in your diet, eat walnuts, avocados, and sunflower seeds.

Drink lots of water- Now, this is one of the common home remedies for dry skin that you must have come across every blog.

It is in fact, the easiest home remedy to follow but at the same time hardest too because most often we forget to drink water.

Intake of water can make or break the skin. Increase your water intake to keep the body hydrated. Water also moisturizes the skin from the inside too.

Wear sunscreen daily- Home remedies for dry skin are incomplete without mentioning sunscreen.

If you feel that the harsh winter is the only reason behind your dry skin, then you are wrong. Harsh sunlight too can be the culprit. How can you prevent it?

Never go out in the sun without enough sun protection.

Use a humidifier- Keeping a humidifier in your home can help in reducing the dryness caused by home heating systems. Though electric and gas take out the moisture from the air, a humidifier that is set to 60 percent is sufficient to offset this effect, as per the Harvard Medical School.

How to Prevent Dry Skin

Applying moisturizers or emollients daily after taking a shower helps prevent dry skin, People can also prevent dry skin by avoiding those things that may trigger skin irritation or dryness, including:

a. Scratching the skin

b. Shaving without using a shaving gel

c. Bathing in too hot water

d. Using lotions with alcohol

e. Wearing clothes that are harsh to the skin

f. Sitting near fire or heater for a long time

g. Going out in windy conditions without covering the face

When Should you Consult a Doctor?

If aging or environmental factors are not the cause behind dry skin, an individual may be suffering from an underlying skin condition.

If an individual doubts this is the case, then they should immediately consult a doctor.

If home remedies and store-bought medicines do not help in alleviating the symptoms of dry skin, the individual can also speak to a pharmacist regarding over-the-counter medications.

It is significant to keep the skin well-moisturized and to treat dry skin as fast as possible.

If you leave your dry skin as it is without the right treatment, it can lead to several skin issues, like: