We all know that winter weather brings gusting winds, freezing cold days, and even worse, dry skin. One of the major causes of dry skin is low temperatures and plunges in humidity. Basically, dry air creates parched and scaly spots, so when you expose your hands, face, and feet to dry, cold air – the result is dry, patchy skin. There are a ton of products on the market that promise dry skin to disappear, but before you head to the drugstore to stock up on mini-hand lotions and big-bottled body lotions, go to the grocery store and grab these five inexpensive home remedies that really work and say goodbye to dry skin.
Almond oil
You only need a little bit of almond oil to relieve itchy dry skin. It’s perfect for all skin types as it softens, soothes, and helps restore moisture in your skin. Just apply it directly to the dry, flaky, or cracked skin on knees, elbows, or heels. Here’s a tip: almond oil loses it’s moisturizing power quickly, so once you pop the bottle open, be sure to use it daily, until it’s all gone. Or you can mix it with some Vitamin E oil to preserve it a bit longer.
Avocado
Not only are avocados a popular superfood, but the oil found in avocados acts as an emollient, a lubricant that moisturizes the spaces between the flattened cells that form the outer layers of your skin. It’s quite simple to use avocado for healing dry skin. Just mash it up in a small bowl and apply it to the area of dry skin, wait ten to fifteen minutes, and rinse. After your skin will feel soft and moisturized.
Milk
Milk contains lactic acid, which is an effective hydroxy acid. All hydroxy acids act as skin exfoliates and helps remove dead skin cells to reveal fresh, supple skin. Using milk to get rid of dry skin is pretty easy. Wet a face cloth in cold milk and lay it on the affected area of dry or patchy skin for three to five minutes. After rinse the area with lukewarm water and voila! Milk does do the body good.
Honey
Who would’ve thought that this sweet syrupy stuff works great for healing dry skin? Well, it’s true. Honey has antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that make it a great solution for wound healing and getting rid of dry skin. Just dissolve two tablespoons of honey in an equal amount of water and then stir it and then add six more tablespoons of water. Apply to the area of dry skin, wait ten minutes and then rinse. It’s a sweet solution for smooth and supple skin.
Olive Oil
I saved the best for last. Olive oil is my personal favourite because I use it for cooking and as a salad dressing. I also use it when I have dry hair and dry skin. The benefits of olive oil are endless. For dry hair, I put some in my hair, wrap it in a towel, wait ten to fifteen minutes, then rinse and style as usual. I have dry skin on my hands during the winter time, all I do is simply dab a bit on the dry patches and after a few days my skin is back to normal.