13 Natural, DIY Remedies to Moisturize Dry Skin
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.
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 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.
3. Make a Natural Coconut Oil and Sugar Scrub
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.
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.
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
6. Apply Coconut Oil Before Bedtime
“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.
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
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.
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.
“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
10. Apply Aloe Vera to Dry, Irritated Skin
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
However, there is limited research to support this.
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.
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.
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
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.