10 Ways to Combat Dry Skin Naturally

During the winter months it’s easy to be plagued with dry, itchy, irritated skin. Here I share with you 10 Ways to Combat Dry Skin Naturally.

1. Take showers and baths with warm water instead of very hot water. Hot water removes natural oils from the skin leaving it dry and itchy.
2. Moisturize while your body is still wet after a shower or bath. This helps your skin seal in and retain moisture.
3. Use a humidifier in your home to create moisture in the air that will in turn hydrate your skin during the winter. If you decide to use a humidifier, make sure to replace the water daily so harmful bacteria doesn’t have a chance to grow.
4. Take a look at the list of ingredients in the soap you are using to wash your body with. Certain chemicals in soap such as sulfate and paraben are not only drying to the skin, but they can be harmful too. Look for natural soaps with plant derived ingredients.
5. Drink lots of water! Dehydration can create the appearance of dry, cracked skin.  
6. Eat healthy foods essential in fatty acids such as salmon, flax seeds and walnuts as a way to combat dry skin naturally. Fatty acids strengthen your skins ability to retain moisture.
7. Use an oil based moisturizer after your shower or bath on your skin. I normally skip lotions and creams all together and use Shea butter or coconut oil on my skin while it’s still wet. Shea butter and coconut oil both have lipids that seal water into the skin leaving it well saturated.
8. Limit the use of exfoliants or scrubs to once a week during the winter. Exfoliating removes the dead cells on the top layer of the skin. Too much exfoliating can leave you with dry, cracked, irritated skin. I like exfoliating with scrubs that already have oil in them like my DIY Sugar Scrub. 
9. Turn down the thermostat a few notches and put on more clothes to stay warm as a way to combat dry skin. Cranking up the heat may make you feel cozy, but it dehydrates the skin. 
10. Avoid wearing certain fabrics like wool that can scratch and irritate the skin. 

With these 10 Ways to Combat Dry Skin you can be on the way to having smooth, supple and moisturized skin in the winter as well. Are you going to try any of them or do you have any to add that I missed? Let’s connect! Leave a comment or find me on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter @mommyweek, #mommyweek.

Ashley