Some of us may still be recovering from a bout of dry skin over the winter. As summer approaches, the weather gets warmer, and the air isn’t as dry. However, xerosis, or dry skin, can plague anyone at any time.

Environmental factors like hot showers, lack of humidity, and harsh soaps can all contribute to the flaky, itchy, and irritated skin. The good thing is there are some things you can do at home to restore moisture without paying a fortune. 

Coconut Oil

The saturated fatty acids in coconut oil hydrate your skin by filling the spaces between cells, creating smooth surfaces and protecting them from drying out. These emollient properties occur naturally in coconut oil, making it a great natural option for relieving dryness.

Coconut oil is gentle, so you can use it on even the most sensitive skin. You can use it on your face, especially underneath your eyes. You also don’t need to mix it with anything because it’s substantial enough to work on its own and should be used every day for maximum effect. It’s affordable, too, which enhances its financial benefit. 

Petroleum Jelly

Petroleum jelly protects your skin from excess moisture, which can cause dry skin. It is also known as mineral oil, and it covers the skin in a thick, protective layer, trapping just the right amount of moisture underneath. It can heal irritated skin if used every day.

Gloves

When your hands come in contact with environmental irritants, it causes dryness and inflammation. That includes things you do on a regular basis that you don’t even think about like washing dishes or doing laundry.

Wear gloves when you do your household chores to prevent overexposure to hot water, harmful chemicals, or the cold weather. Wearing gloves after a skin treatment of coconut oil or petroleum jelly can also help seal in the moisture.

Oatmeal Baths

Not only are baths relaxing, but if you take oatmeal baths, they’re excellent for your skin. You will step out of the tub feeling silky smooth and much less irritated. This home remedy has been around for generations, and that’s because it really works.

Colloidal oatmeal contains anti-inflammatory properties as well as antioxidants that soothe the irritation that occurs when your skin is dry and inflamed. If you need relief from all of the itching, this is the solution you should try first.

Take a homemade oatmeal bath by chopping up oatmeal into a fine powder using your food processor then stir it into your warm water. Lock in the moisture after your oatmeal bath with petroleum jelly, coconut oil, and a pair of comfy gloves.

Antioxidants and Omega-3s

When you expose your skin to elements that damage the skin cells, your body can’t repair them fast enough. You can eat certain foods that will stimulate the production of new cells, keeping your skin healthy from the inside, out.

Consider eating more foods rich in antioxidants like blueberries, carrots, tomatoes, peas, beans, or lentils. These foods minimize the damage that toxins do to your skin and help you produce more healthy cells.

Foods with a lot of omega-3s like salmon can also help your skin glow, increasing its health and radiance.

Change Your Shower Temperature

It’s tempting in the winter time to take hotter showers than usual because you’re cold and it is so relaxing. However, this can contribute to your dry skin issues. Hot water scalds your skin and causes damage you can’t see.

The soap you’re using may not be helping either. Use soap that is gentle on your skin and doesn’t trigger an allergic reaction or make your skin thinner with harsh chemicals. Short, warm showers instead of long hot ones with gentle, fragrance-free soaps are best.

Humidifiers

When the air outside is dry, keep the air in your home moist. Set a humidifier to sixty percent to maximize the effect of the moisture in the air. Electric and gas heat can strip moisture from the air, so it’s important to return it if you can.

Avoid Irritants

Exposure to things that irritate your skin will cause dryness and discomfort, so avoid them at all costs. Sitting by a fire, spending too much time in a pool, or wearing an irritating fabric can all contribute.

Treat your skin gently, and if you suspect that your clothing may be the problem, switch to something gentle on your skin, like cotton. Cotton undergarments are an excellent place to start, and Cotton On has high quality, natural cotton clothing that may help.

Sunscreen

The sun damages your skin, even in the winter. When it’s cold outside, we don’t spend a lot of time in the sun, but that doesn’t mean it’s not still working to break down your skin cells and do damage to them.

Always wear sunscreen on the exposed parts of your body especially remembering sun safety for the kids. Consider a lip balm with sunscreen in it or a concealer on your face that contains protection from the sun, so you’re always prepared when you go outside, no matter the weather.

Be Proactive

Preventing dry skin can be difficult, and it’s not always possible to avoid the things that cause irritation, but your first line of defense against sickness is healthy skin. If you are dry, itchy, and irritated, it can lead to infection.

Incorporate a moisturizer, coconut oil, petroleum jelly, or some other protectant into your daily routine. Add gloves, soft clothing, a healthy diet, the occasional oatmeal bath, and cooler showers to the equation, and you’ll be well on your way to healthy skin all year long.

Keep up the good work even when your skin isn’t irritated to prevent future problems. You can also maintain your health during flu season or prevent further outbreaks and infections. If these home remedies don’t work, or you suspect there’s a deeper underlying issue, consult your doctor or dermatologist for more comprehensive medical care.

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