Irritated skin can be…well…irritating. But whilst it’s a common complaint, the good news is that dry skin doesn’t always require a trip to the dermatologist. In fact, it can often be treated successfully by making a few small adjustments to your skincare routine and diet. Just keeping your skin moisturized throughout the day with the correct products could be all you need to get rid of that itchy irritable skin for good. That’s why it’s no.1 on our hit list for treating dry skin.
Moisturize Properly
You can improve your skin’s natural barrier with regular moisturizing. If you moisturize daily and still experience dry skin, you may be using creams and ointments containing ingredients that are actually just causing more irritation. And if you don’t moisturize daily, it’s time to start.
There are multiple moisturizers on the market and some of them contain drying agents and products that make dry skin worse, so it’s important to do your research. If you’re not sure where to start when choosing a moisturizer, you can play it safe by avoiding anything that lists artificial fragrances/colors, petroleum, or dioxane in the ingredients. Instead, you should look out for skin-friendly ingredients like ceramides, colloidal oatmeal, and hyaluronic acid, which will all help to keep your skin soft, supple, and free of irritation. More natural products such as aloe vera gel, shea butter, CBD oil, and coconut oil are also excellent moisturizers for dry skin.
If you tend to have combination/oily skin that’s just prone to dry patches it’s better to steer clear of oils as they can lead to breakouts, however, this doesn’t apply to CBD oil. Studies have even shown that CBD oil can help to treat acne by preventing skin cells from creating too much of the sebum that causes oily skin.
Apply Coconut Oil Overnight
In comparison to acne, which is a result of an overproduction of sebum, dry skin is caused by insufficient sebum. If you apply coconut oil before you go to bed it can work its magic to soften up your skin as you sleep. You can use this natural skin care treatment pretty much anywhere, even where your skin is most sensitive such as around your mouth and eyes. Another handy advantage of coconut oil is that you don’t need to mix it with anything to use it.
Don’t Just Eat Oatmeal, Bathe in it
There’s a reason why you should look out for colloidal oatmeal in the ingredients of your moisturizer. People around the world have been preaching the wonders of this anti-itch home remedy since the start of time and research says they’re right. A 2015 study clarified the effectiveness of oatmeal in treating dry skin due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. To make an oatmeal bath just add some finely powdered oatmeal into warm water to make an oatmeal soak; easy!
Sometimes the Answer is in the Kitchen
Dry skin occurs when your skin is getting damaged faster than your body can repair it. However, by increasing the amount of antioxidant-rich foods in your diet you can reduce the damage and increase the number of healthy cells made by your body. More healthy cells = less dry skin damage! Some commonly used foods rich in antibiotics include blueberries, carrots, lentils, beans, peas, and tomatoes.
For an extra boost, add foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids like flax seeds, salmon, and tuna for super glowing skin. To ensure your body can properly break down the foods you eat to get all of the nutrients you need, you can also add an enzyme-rich supplement to your diet such as our Digestive Aid.
Finally, Take a Cold Shower!
Well, maybe not that cold, but those super hot showers aren’t doing you any favors and they do have to go. Although many people love taking hot showers, they can cause scalding and damage to your skin that you may not even notice (because you’re so used to it!). According to the American Academy of Dermatology, making the move from hot to milder showers and limiting your shower time to 10 minutes can protect and heal dry skin. That applies to baths also!
Your skin works hard to keep your body healthy by protecting you from numerous viruses and bacteria every day, so it’s important to look after it too! These tips will help to treat most instances of dry skin but please do see a doctor if your symptoms persist.