The next time your dry skin needs a little TLC, try one of these easy at-home remedies.
1. Whip Up an Olive Oil Moisturizer to Soothe Dry Skin
If you need extra moisture fast, Adell recommends extra-virgin olive oil as an alternative to your moisturizer — but only if you’re in a pinch.
“Olive oil contains vitamin E, antioxidants, squalene, and other properties that repair damaged skin,” she says. Adell also notes that this may not be a good choice for acne-prone skin, because of the risk of clogging your pores.
Before applying olive oil directly to your skin, double-check whether this solution is right for you by consulting a dermatologist. Research suggests that olive oil may reduce inflammation, but applying it topically on its own may actually damage your skin barrier.
Another study also found that while olive oil presented some anti-inflammatory effects when topically applied to skin, it had a negative effect on the skin barrier itself.
If you decide to try olive oil, Adell recommends a pure, or regular, form that isn’t refined with other oils, and to use it sparingly, such as applying a few drops to a face mask, or massaging the oil into extremely dry areas like your elbows.
2. DIY a Rich, Creamy Avocado Mask
A homemade mask of avocado is another natural way to soothe dry skin, and Adell has used it at home in her own family. “This face mask is chock-full of antioxidants and probiotics that will promote healthy, glowing skin,” she says.
She recommends combining ½ avocado with ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt (which may improve skin texture because of its lactic acid content. She also suggests adding a drizzle of manuka honey and 1 teaspoon of turmeric for potential anti-inflammatory benefits and to improve symptoms of inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema, per a separate. Apply the mixture to clean skin and let it set for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing off.
As for the other half of the avocado, why not eat it? Aside from avocados’ numerous, well-researched health benefits, a small pilot study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that a group of female participants who ate an avocado daily increased their skin elasticity and firmness.
Another study found that combining avocado oil with water and saffron extract can also be a great dry-skin remedy. Researchers of another study found a combination of avocado oil, water, and saffron extract rejuvenated the skin and reduced the appearance of wrinkles, though it’s not clear whether any significant moisturization was noted.
3. Make a Natural Coconut Oil and Sugar Scrub
To treat dead skin cells that might be giving your skin a dry texture and appearance, you may consider a gentle homemade sugar scrub. Try combining 1 cup of brown or granulated sugar with ½ cup of coconut oil. If you want, you can add an essential oil like lavender, which lends a natural fragrance and may promote relaxation and decrease anxiety. Gently rub the scrub into your skin for up to 30 seconds, then wash it off with lukewarm water. Lastly, the AAD recommends using a soothing moisturizer to lock in the benefits of freshly exfoliated skin.
Keep in mind that physical, or mechanical, exfoliation of this type may not be suitable for all skin types. The AAD doesn’t recommend scrubs for irritated, acne-prone, or sensitive skin.
Adell cautions against the use of sugar scrubs on sensitive skin, especially on the face. “The skin on your face is far more delicate than your body, so physical exfoliation can easily cause irritation and sensitivity,” she says. “My go-to exfoliation methods use chemical peel pads or enzyme powders.”
4. Create an Easy Oatmeal Soak to Calm Your Skin
A cup of oatmeal in a warm bath can naturally rehydrate dry skin, Dr. Poblete-Lopez says. “The oat product itself is soothing,” she explains, and it helps your skin retain moisture from the bathwater. Or, for a mess-free soak, tie the oats to your faucet in pantyhose and run your bathwater through them.
If you have eczema, oatmeal may offer relief from dry, inflamed, or irritated skin associated with both atopic and contact dermatitis. In one study published in 2020, researchers observed that colloidal oatmeal treated hand eczema with its anti-inflammatory, soothing, and protective effects.
5. Exfoliate Your Face With a Homemade Oatmeal Honey Mask
Oatmeal makes a great exfoliator or mask, too. Mix 2 tablespoons of oats with 1 tablespoon of honey and a dash of water. You can use it just to exfoliate and wash it off right away, or leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes as a soothing, hydrating mask. Research shows that honey may have antimicrobial properties that may also help accelerate wound healing.
6. Apply Coconut Oil Before Bedtime
Coconut oil is another popular home treatment for healthy hair and skin which has roots in African and Indian cultures.
“Coconut oil becomes a solid at room temperature, so use it as a moisturizing cream at bedtime or anytime,” recommends Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at SkinSafe Dermatology and Skin Care in Beverly Hills, California. “For chapped heels and hands, apply the oil, then layer with thick socks or nonlatex gloves.”
7. Consider Using Nourishing Oils
“Natural oils are great for moisturizing the skin and helping to recreate the natural skin barrier, which is often damaged by frequent hand and face washing with water and drying soaps that strip the skin of its natural protective oils,” Dr. Shainhouse says. Aside from olive oil or coconut oil, you can test out other natural oils that are free from irritants, including jojoba, argan, and avocado oils. To use, Shainhouse recommends adding a few tablespoons of the desired oil under running bathwater. Treat yourself to a short soak and gently pat your skin dry afterward to avoid removing all the oil.
That said, research suggests that bathing with oils may not be best for women because of vaginal health risks. So you may want to consider applying a small amount of your preferred oil to your skin post-shower to keep it soft and moist.
8. Use Milk Compresses for Irritated Skin
“Milk has natural anti-inflammatory properties,” says Shainhouse. “It also contains lactic acid, a mild, natural exfoliant.” One study showed that the use of a lactic acid and ceramide–containing lotion twice daily was found to significantly improve skin hydration while eliminating dead skin cells. This indicates lactic acid products may provide exfoliating benefits. That said, longer-term research is needed to confirm these results.
Adell also notes that lactic acid is “one of the most hydrating [alpha-hydroxy acids] on the market.” She says it’s one of the safer acids for sensitive skin, and may also be used during pregnancy.
To make a milk compress, try soaking a clean cloth (like a washcloth or a towel) in a bowl of cool milk, and holding it in place over any dry areas. Shainhouse recommends using these compresses on your skin for 5 to 10 minutes at a time. It’s especially helpful for irritated skin that’s itchy, too.
Note that lactic acid can sting cracked, so use with caution. “Feeling mild tingling is common, but if you experience burning, stop using it and talk to your dermatologist or aesthetician,” Adell says. While studies show that lactic acid may be beneficial in restoring the skin barrier and treating related conditions, such as eczema, you may want to avoid this remedy if you have an active flare-up with cracked skin.
9. Consider a Fruit Enzyme Cleanser or Exfoliant
Fruit enzymes can be a fun way to ease dry skin. “These alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) are great for gently exfoliating the superficial layer of dulling dead skin cells on the face and body,” says Shainhouse. The FDA also notes that AHAs not only help remove dead skin cells, but they may also improve the appearance of aging skin and your overall skin texture.
Shainhouse recommends a fruit-enzyme-infused wash or mask twice per week. According to research, some good fruit enzymes to look for include bromelain (found in pineapple), papain (found in papaya), and ficain (found in figs).
10. Apply Aloe Vera to Dry, Irritated Skin
While often thought of as sunburn relief, aloe vera gel can be helpful during the dry winter months, too. It works by alleviating redness and irritation related to excess dryness, and it can even decrease signs of aging, as well as acne breakouts and skin injuries. Research also suggests that aloe vera gel contains mucopolysaccharides, such as hyaluronic acid, which help lock moisture into the skin and make this another naturally moisturizing skin-care ingredient you’ll want to try.
Shainhouse cautions that some people develop allergic contact dermatitis, a type of eczema, to aloe, so you may want to perform a patch test before you apply it to a large area of skin.
11. Use Honey as a Spot Treatment for Dry Patches
Honey has emollient and humectant effects that can soften your skin and help it retain moisture, according to older research. However, there is limited research to support this.
Honey, and especially manuka honey, is also effective at healing wounds, according to a review study. It’s naturally antimicrobial, keeps the affected area moist, and has a thick consistency that works as a barrier against infection.
These properties make honey a good base for face mask recipes, and it can be a powerful spot treatment for patches of dry, irritated skin. For best results, apply honey in small amounts to your face. Leave on for several minutes before rinsing it off.
12. Brew Tea Bags to Soothe Inflammation
If you already drink tea, you may be able to find other uses for tea bags you have in your pantry. Adell says this includes herbal teas like chamomile and jasmine as well as caffeinated green and black teas.
According to the Cincinnati Health Institute, black and green tea bags can have a cooling and anti-inflammatory effect on your skin, while black tea bags may help balance your skin’s natural pH level.
The caffeine in these teas may help with under eye circles by safely shrinking blood vessels in this delicate area of skin, says Adell. She recommends applying a cool wet tea bag under each eye for 5 to 10 minutes.
One small study looked at the effect of 20-minute gauze compresses soaked in weak, room-temperature black tea, followed by an emollient cream, on 22 people with facial atopic dermatitis. After three days of five compresses a day, participants saw an improvement in their skin symptoms, with no noticeable side effects.
As for the possible benefits of brewed herbal tea bags, Adell says that chamomile may reduce inflammation and irritation. “It relaxes irritated skin tissue and can be used for alleviating itchy skin, rashes, and flaky skin.” She recommends placing brewed, cooled chamomile onto your skin for up to 30 minutes. She also notes that jasmine tea can address acne.
13. Get Back to Basics With Petroleum Jelly
Chances are you already have a jar of Vaseline or Aquaphor in your medicine cabinet. These contain petroleum jelly (also called petrolatum), which can help alleviate dry skin, prevent chafing, and support skin healing. Better yet, petroleum jelly may be safe enough to use all over the body, including on your lips and eyelids. Some people so swear by petroleum jelly that they slather it all over their face, leaving it on overnight, a practice called “slugging.”
You can apply petroleum jelly throughout the day as needed, but the AAD says it works best on damp skin. Avoid applying it to your face, chest and back if you have acne-prone skin, as it may cause breakouts and lead to folliculitis.
