9 Home Remedies For Dry and Rough Skin

Usuel Causes Dry Skin:

The lack of moisture in the dry skin results from a decrease in the fatty acids (lipids) in the skin which is responsible for locking in the moisture and keeping the skin soft and supple. Many causes could lead to xerosis which is an alternate term used for dry skin –

• Changes in the weather, especially during cold and dry winter months

• Dry air seen in arid and semi-arid regions throughout the year

• Heaters (either central or portable) can reduce the humidity in the air

• Hot baths/showers

• Chlorinated water from swimming pools

• Harsh chemicals in soaps and detergents

• Skin conditions like atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, etc.

• Excessive use of skin cleansers

Here we are sharing 10 most effective and simple home remedy for your dry and damage skin.

1. Aloe Vera
2. Oils
3. Glycerin
4. Vaseline
5. Lacto Calamine
6. Multani Mitti
7. Rose Water
8. Ubtan
9. Milk Powder Face Pack

1. Aloe Vera For Dry Skin

1. Cut the aloe leaf diagonally and extract the gel present inside it.
2. Apply some of this fresh gel on the face and massage it in, so it is absorbed into the skin.
3. Leave the gel overnight.

Store the remaining gel in an air-tight container in a cool place. Repeat this every night before going to bed.

Why This Works

Aloe vera gel is often used in the treatment of dry and patchy skin. It is also included in many commercially available lotions and creams, but using fresh aloe gel is the best way to use it. Its polysachharide helps to retain the moisture levels in the skin. It also enhances collagen and elastin production in the skin thus restoring its suppleness and elasticity. If your dryness is due to skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema, aloe vera can also help to deal with them as it has healing and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties help to alleviate the symptoms of such skin ailments

2. Coconut Oil For Dry Skin

Apply coconut oil on dry areas of your skin and leave it on. It will get absorbed by the skin.

How Often Should You Do This

Apply coconut oil once or twice a day, as needed.

Why This Works

Simple to procure and use, coconut oil does wonders to replenish and lock in the natural moisture of the skin. It contains healthy fatty acids that replenish the skin’s lessened fatty acid reserve (4). Baby oil and vegetable oil can be used similarly.

Jojoba Oil For Dry Skin

You Will Need

• 1/2 teaspoon jojoba oil
• 2 cups warm water
• Washcloth

What You Have To Do

1. Soak the washcloth in warm water and place it over your face. Keep the washcloth on for 5-7 minutes, and then remove it.
2. Now, massage the jojoba oil into your skin using gentle, circular motions. Keep massaging the skin in upward motions for a few minutes.
3. Let the oil soak in and then wipe off the excess oil with the washcloth.

How Often Should You Do This

This should be done once or twice a week.

Why This Works

The structure of jojoba oil closely mirrors that of sebum, your body’s natural oil. This makes this oil an excellent moisturizer for every skin type. It softens the dryness and gets rid of the flakiness. It also promotes the growth of new skin cells. It has anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe your skin (5, 6). Argan oil is an excellent alternative for jojoba oil and can be used to treat dry skin problems.

Caution

The water should not be too hot; else it can scald your skin.

3. Glycerin For Dry Skin

• 1 teaspoon glycerin
• 1 tablespoon rose water

What You Need To Do

1. Combine glycerin with rose water and apply on the dry patches of your skin.
2. Leave the glycerin mix on for a few hours.
3. If you feel that it is too tacky, you can rinse it off after an hour or so.

How Often Should You Do This

Use this remedy once every day for quick relief from dry skin.

Why This Works

Glycerin works wonders not just on the dry skin but also chapped lips. It is a wonderful humectant and emollient that locks in the skin’s moisture

4. Vaseline For Dry Skin

You Will Need

Vaseline

What You Have To Do

1. Take a small amount of the jelly, massage the entire face.
2. It is best if you leave this on overnight. In case you find it a little too tacky, leave it on for an hour or so before wiping the excess off with a tissue or washcloth.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this once every day.

Why This Works

Vaseline is basically composed of petroleum jelly or petrolatum. This ingredient is used to lock in the moisture and prevent water loss from the skin (17).   It can be a little greasy, hence it is best used as an overnight treatment. Do not forget to cover your pillow with an old T-shirt or towel to prevent soiling your pillow case.

You Will Need

Lacto calamine lotion

What You Have To Do

Apply this as directed on the bottle.

How Often You Should Do This

Repeat once or twice a day.

Why This Works

Lacto calamine has a specific lotion variant that is designed for dry skin type. It contains zinc oxide that soothes the skin and also reduces the itchiness that often accompanies the dry skin. It acts a suppressor for the inflammation seen in dry skin associated ailments like psoriasis and eczema

7. Multani Mitti For Dry Skin

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons multani mitti (Fuller’s earth)
• 1 tablespoon cucumber juice
• 1 teaspoon honey OR 1 tablespoon milk

What You Have To Do

1. Mix everything together to get a thick paste. Adjust the consistency with some water as required.
2. Apply this as a face pack and let it dry for 15 minutes.
3. Rinse it off with plain water.

How Often You Should Do This

Use this face pack once a week.

Why This Works

A clay mask with multani mitti is often recommended for oily skin types because of its ability to absorb the excess oil. This property apart, the clay also soothes the skin and has a cooling effect on dry and irritated skin (23). Using it in combination with the right ingredients can help to get rid of dry skin in just a few applications.

8. Rose Water For Dry Skin

You Will Need

• Rose water
• Cotton pad

What You Have To Do

1. Spritz some rose water on the cotton pad and use this to gently wipe your face after cleansing it.
2. Once it has dried off naturally, apply a suitable moisturizer.

How Often You Should Do This

Repeat this once every day, preferably after you wash your face once you are back home from a day out in the sun and pollution.

Why This Works

It is soothing, moisturizing, and refreshing for your skin. It helps in improving blood circulation to the skin’s surface and its astringent properties balance the skin’s pH. This helps to restore the normal oil production by the skin

9. Ubtan For Dry Skin

You Will Need

• 6-7 almonds
• 1/2 cup fresh cream
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil OR olive oil

What You Have To Do

1. Boil the almonds in water for a few minutes.
2. Strain and rinse the almonds with cool water to bring down their temperature.
3. Now, soak these almonds overnight in the fresh cream.
4. Blend the soaked almonds along with the cream and add the oil too.
5. Once everything is blended into a smooth paste, apply the ‘ubtan’ as a face pack.
6. Rinse it off after 15 minutes.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this once a week.

Why This Works

Almonds are rich in vitamin E which is known to nourish and rejuvenate the skin. It will keep your skin hydrated and young looking as well.

10. Milk Powder Face Pack For Dry Skin

You Will Need

• 2 teaspoons milk powder
• 1 teaspoon honey
• A pinch of turmeric
• Water

What You Need To Do

1. Mix the milk powder with honey and turmeric powder first.
2. Now, to adjust the consistency, add some water and mix well.
3. Apply the paste on your face.
4. Allow the paste to dry up completely before washing it off.

If you feel that the dry skin problem is localized only to some areas, you can apply it just on those parts.

How Often Should You Do This

This remedy should be used twice a week.

Why This Works

Milk, which is a primary ingredient in the preparation of ghee, butter or yogurt, can also be used to tackle dry skin. Its powdered form contains all the healthy fats and amino acids to keep the skin hydrated and moisturized (26). This is another effective home treatment for dry skin.