How to Get Rid of Dry Skin: 10 Simple Remedies That Actually Work

Is your skin like the Sahara Desert? Does it feel like sandpaper? Those of you suffering from dry, flaky skin know exactly how difficult it can be. Dry skin doesn’t plague just your face but your hands and legs, too. It’s itchy and unsightly and makes wearing those fancy sleeveless dresses and that gorgeous makeup a pain. But fret not, we’ve got some easy dry skin tips to help you deal with your flaky issues.

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What Causes Dry Skin & Why It’s a Problem

If your concern is how to get rid of dry skin, then you need to first learn the causes of dry skin. There are several causes of dry skin, other than the harsh winter weather that can strip your skin of its natural oils and sebum that keep it hydrated and moisturised, otherwise all year round. Some of the common reasons are the dry and windy air, which is deprived of the usual humidity and moisture. Other causes are deep-fried and oily food. Excessive hot showers and air conditioners can also affect your skin.

Dryness is not just a characteristic of your skin; it creates other problems, such as flaky, uneven, and patchy skin that can ruin your skin texture and skin tone. This not only makes your skin look dull and patchy but also makes it tough for makeup to sit on your skin well, making it look bumpy. Other problems are that your skin doesn’t feel smooth or comfortable, which may cause itchiness and sensitivity.

10 Simple Remedies That Actually Work for Dry Skin

The best way to remove dry skin is to follow simple hacks, but with consistency. Here are a few tips to remember before you learn how to cure dry skin.

Moisturise After Showering

When you take hot showers, especially during winters to keep your skin warm and to save yourself from the spiking cold water, these hot showers act counter-productively as they can stirp the natural oils from your skin and leave it high and dry. So, we recommend using intensely hydrating moisturisers right after your shower to lock in the moisture from the water and from your skin. If you already have dry skin, then you can use a cream-based moisturiser as it’s stronger, more hydrating, and lasts longer than water or oil-based moisturisers.

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Use Natural Oils

Using natural oils such as coconut oil, shea butter, olive oil, wheat, saffron, and castor oil can help you relieve your ultra dryness. These oils are heavy, and thus, if you have normal, oily, or acne-prone skin, then stay away from these oils, as they can cause a breakout, but for dry skin, these oils are protective and nourishing. These oils also rejuvenate your skin without weakening your skin barrier.

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Try Oatmeal Treatments

Oatmeal treatments help reduce inflammation, calm irritation, and lock in moisture. The naturally hydrating components in oatmeal help heal and protect the natural skin barrier and thus are ideal for bathing, scrubbing, and cleansing. You can either make your own mask or scrub using oatmeal; if not, you can always use products infused with oatmeal.

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Apply Aloe Vera

Aloe vera gel is nature’s OG hydrator; it has moisturising, hydrating, and nourishing for the skin. Its cooling and soothing properties calm irritation, inflammation, and itchiness caused due to dry skin. If you don’t have aloe plants lying around your house, we recommend using aloe vera gel from Nykaa. The Pink Friday Sales assure prices like never before, even on gels and aloe vera extracts.

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Use Ceramide Creams

Ceramide creams help retain the lost moisture and improve the lipid levels in your skin. It soothes irritated and inflamed skin and allows your skin to repair itself from the dryness and loss of moisture. You can use ceramide-infused cleansers, lotions, or even sunscreens to promote healthy skin.

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Apply Shea or Cocoa Butter

Shea butter and cocoa butter are also great sources of moisture for your skin, especially during winter when it’s so cold on the outside, you don’t want to wear anything cold on your skin, too. Shea butter and cocoa butter are warm, or rather feel like room temperature on your skin, while keeping it moisturised.

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Use Hydrating Serums

Serums are great for targeted solutions, so if you have extremely dry skin, a serum will enter the inner layers of your skin and repair from within. You can use serums that are made with hydrating ingredients and moisture repair components such as hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, or even snail mucin.

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Try Honey or Yoghurt Masks

Honey and yoghurt are two such common ingredients that no one realises how powerful they can be for dry, flaky skin. These humble ingredients are unassuming in nature but offer great value to your skin’s overall health. You can either create your own mask with these ingredients or use products that are infused with the goodness of honey and yoghurt.

Add Omega-3 Foods

Omega-3 foods help in restoring your skin’ natural moisture levels and hydration retention levels, which eventually repair your skin’s barrier function and restorative properties. You can get your Omega-3s from walnuts, chia seeds, fatty fish such as salmon and sardines, or you can also take supplements that restore your Omega-3 levels.

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Use a Humidifier

This is an extreme step, but a necessary one if you live in a dry and arid region that has no humidity whatsoever. Just like we invest in air conditioners in tropical regions and air purifiers in polluted regions, an air humidifier will also be a long-term investment for your skin health.

Common Mistakes to Avoid With Dry Skin Care

Here are some of the common mistakes you can avoid when you are wondering how to treat dry skin

Over-Exfoliating or Using Harsh Scrubs

Avoid over-exfoliating your skin with harsh scrubs, as it can irritate your skin during the winter season.

Using Hot Water or Long Baths

We all love a hot shower during the colder months, but hot showers can strip your skin of its natural oils and make it extremely dry.

Ignoring Clothing & Laundry Detergents That Irritate Skin

Yes, we love a cardigan moment in the winter, but make sure your innerwear and clothes that touch your face are soft and cotton-based to avoid irritation.

Relying Only on Products Without Changing Habits

Simply using the right products is not enough; you need to maintain consistency, improve your diet, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and focus on a proper sleep schedule.

Parting Thoughts

Use the right products to bring back the lost radiance and youthful glow with the perfect ingredients and products. Make sure to avoid extremely hot water, irritating fabrics, and harsh exfoliators to ensure your skin remains supple and fresh as ever.

FAQs

1. What is the best remedy for extremely dry skin?

   The best remedy for dry skin is a face mask followed by a moisturiser made with hydrating ingredients that restore the moisture in your skin and improve your skin barrier.

2. How often should I moisturise if I have dry skin?

   You need to moisturise your skin 3 times a day during winter.

3. How can I prevent dry skin in winter?

   You can prevent dry skin in winter by limiting extremely hot showers, irritating fabrics, and an inconsistent skincare routine.

4. When should I see a dermatologist for dry skin?

   If your skin starts peeling intensely and tears appear along with uneven white patches, you need to consult a doctor for dry skin.