Ways To Help Dry Skin Stay Moisturized

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Some people experience dry skin on a seasonal basis, especially in winter, and others seem to have it year round.

Dry skin is one of the more frustrating skin problems. Ideally, your skin gets saturated with moisture from your sweat glands and tissues that lie beneath the skin, and oil produced by the skin's sebaceous glands seals the deal by holding onto that moisture. But when your body has trouble holding in the water and oil that it needs to keep skin moist, you end up with dry skin.

Dry skin might be accompanied by itching or rash. Some of the key causes of this condition include fairly constant exposure to low humidity environments, especially those who use central air or heating, taking frequent long hot showers and baths or washing facial skin with hot water, age (dryness increases as people age), sun damage, and exposure to chemicals in soaps and detergents. There are medical causes of skin dryness too, and chief among these is hypothyroidism.

Here are the best known ways to help dry skin stay supple and beautiful.

aloe vera

Aloe Vera is very beneficial for dry skin. The medicinal properties of this plant have been found to contain ingredients that are known to stop pain and itching. It also prevents infection in cracked or raw dry skin. It has been used for ages for wounds, minor burns, and itchy skin treatment. The leaves of aloe vera plant contains about 96% water and other active ingredients like essential oils, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, enzymes and glycoproteins. All these ingredients help in providing natural glow to the skin and in retaining moisture of the dry skin even in harsh climates. Apply fresh Aloe Vera juice or Aloe Vera gel to the skin. Aloe vera gel are available in health care shops.
To use the gel directly from the plant, simply break off a leaf. You can squeeze a small amount of gel out of the broken end, or you can use a small knife to cut the outer skin of the leaf to access more of the gel.

unrefined shea butter

Shea butter is a rich emollient, able to penetrate the skin quickly and moisturize deeply with no greasy, pore-clogging residue. It provides intense moisturization and leaving a long-lasting protective barrier because it is rich in: Essential fatty acids, vitamins and phytonutrients. It contains high levels of vitamin A, E and F, which hydrate and protect the skin. It also improves circulation, promoting skin renewal.

The protective and conditioning qualities of shea butter make it an excellent choice. Dry skin responds quickly to shea butter, with increased elasticity and more efficient moisture retention. 

 

oatmeal

Oatmeal is one of the best dry skin and eczema treatments around. Studies have shown than humans beings have been using oatmeal baths as natural cures for extra dry skin for over 4000 years.

Oatmeal soothes the top layer of skin and helps the epidermis to retain oil. Oatmeal can also help to minimize the itchiness that accompanies many types of skin conditions.

Use it as a bath or on facial skin. You can get really creative with oatmeal.

omega 3's internally

Itchy dry skin or red dry skin is the number one symptom of an Omega 3 deficiency. Fats and fatty acids are essential in maintaining good health. Fatty acids are essential buildings blocks for your entire body, including your skin; however, most people on a western diet are deficient in Omega 3 while having an excess of Omega 6. It is believed that the balance between the two until recent times was about 1:1 whereas the typical western diet is around 20:1 Omega six. This has been shown to be related all kinds of health problems from dry skin, which is usually at the top of the list, to depression and ADD. Add walnuts, flax seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds and pumpkin seeds to your daily eating.

manuka honey

There is documented evidence supporting the use of manuka honey to treat dry skin, eczema and other forms of dermatitis. Honey is a humectant, which means it attracts and retains moisture. It has been known to heal damaged skin, rebuild cells and regenerate new skin growth. It also has the ability to moisturize and soothe cracked and damaged skin. Applying manuka honey directly to affected areas can provide relief to individuals suffering from dermatitis, psoriasis and other dry skin conditions by softening, moisturizing, and rejuvenating irritated skin. Use honey to wash your face, in the bath or as a facial mask.

vitamin e

Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin and can serve as a good moisturizer for dry skin as well as dry hair. As vitamin E has antioxidant properties, it protects the skin from the harmful effects and damage caused by free radicals. Applying vitamin E oil prevents breakouts and lubricates dry skin. It also helps in reducing the scars on the skin.

Deficiency of Vitamin E, according to researchers is one major reason as to why people suffer from dry skin. Deficiency affects the quality of skin, leaving it dry and lifeless.

Vitamin E oils (such as olive oil) or creams can do wonders for your skin. It will make your dry skin moisturized and soft. Eating foods rich in vitamin E is also highly beneficial to dry skin. Vitamin E is found in sunflower seeds, almonds, olives, spinach, and papaya.

olive oil

olive oil is one of the best natural treatments you can use for dry skin. It is a moisturizing and mildly antibacterial oil, very much like the oil produced by our sebaceous glands. The benefits of olive oil for dry skin are endless. The oil is capable of restoring natural moisture to the skin and it can also firm, tone and smooth the skin. Olive oil has also been found to speed healing in the case of injury or blemishes.
Olive oil is rich in polyphenols: antioxidants that check the spread of free radicals, or damaging substances caused by sun exposure, pollution, smoking, and alcohol. It doesn't contain irritants such as perfumes or dyes, and it doesn't take much to use; just apply a tiny amount directly to dry skin, wrinkles, and stretch marks. Apply liberally on particularly troublesome spots. You'll be amazed at how much better your skin will look in the morning
 

get enough fluids
It may seem obvious, but it is hard for your body to keep everything moisturized if you don't get enough fluids. Your body will divert fluids to the most critical areas and functions which may short change other areas, leaving you with itchy dry skin. One of the many changes our bodies go through as we age is the thirst/hunger response mechanism. The older we get the less efficient our system is at recognizing when we are hungry or thirsty. Since our skin also ages and becomes less efficient as we age, itchy dry skin can becomes more of a problem the older we get and it can be compounded by a lack of fluid intake. People tend to not be as thirsty in the winter and their fluid intake drops off. It is as important to drink plenty of fluids in the winter as it is in the summer. Get your fluids from juicy foods and liquids.

Foods & Herbs To Heal Dry Skin

Lemons, Raspberries, Carrots, Oats, Walnuts, Avocado, Asparagus, Garlic, Papaya, and flax seeds.

Calendula, Comfrey, Sandalwood and Lavender.