Do you feel like a reptile on your dry, flaky skin? Anyone can experience dry skin. In fact, this skin condition is more common than you might think. When the body loses too much moisture or cannot retain it, the skin becomes dry. There are many factors that can cause our skin to dry out: age, environment, heredity, improper skin care, and even our lifestyle choices. Fortunately, there are many ways you can combat this unsightly condition so that you can revitalize your skin, restore its natural beauty, and feel comfortable again.

Tips for facial skin care

Many people experience dry facial skin. Some people try to cover it up, which can often make the dryness worse. When skin is dehydrated, wrinkles, acne scars, and rashes often become more noticeable or even exaggerated, making that timeless appearance disappear. So what can you do to get rid of dry skin on your face? Here are some facial skin care tips that can help:

• Apply natural products like natural oils like avocado, almond, olive, jojoba, coconut or flaxseed on the skin after a shower or bath. While your skin is still slightly damp, apply a generous amount of your favorite natural oil to your skin. This will help trap in moisture and keep your skin moist longer.

• Honey helps hydrate, smooth and tighten the skin. Pour a small amount of honey on your fingers and apply it directly to the affected area with a light tapping motion. After a couple of minutes, rinse with lukewarm water and pat the area dry with a soft cloth. You can also apply honey to the dry patches on your face five minutes before a warm shower or bath. With the area still damp, apply a small amount of natural oil.

• Combine two tablespoons of olive oil, four tablespoons of brown sugar, and one tablespoon of honey. Gently apply to dry facial area in circular motions for a few minutes. Gently rinse with lukewarm water, then pat dry and apply a natural moisturizer.

• Apply a mask with mashed avocado or bananas.

• Aloe vera is often used to soothe irritated skin, but it also has the ability to hydrate even the driest, flaky skin. Apply a thin layer on the dry area. Let it sit for about 15 to 20 minutes. Use warm water to rinse off any gel that has not been absorbed by your skin.

Moisturizers and creams can also be a great remedy for dry skin. Before buying a moisturizer, be sure to read the label. Not all moisturizers are created equal, and some ingredients are more beneficial than others. Here are some ingredients to look for and why:

• Lanolin, petroleum jelly, dimethicone, and mineral oil are all emollients. These ingredients add a protective layer of oil on top of the skin that helps trap water on the skin.

• Glycerin, Lecithin, and Propylene Glycol are humectants. Moisturizers work by drawing water to the outer layers of the skin.

• Hyaluronic acid helps the skin retain moisture.

• Ceramides are fatty acid molecules that are found naturally in the outer layer of the skin. They help retain moisture and keep skin plump. Low levels of ceramides in the skin can cause dry, flaky skin, making ceramides a critical ingredient in a rich moisturizer.

Facial acne and dry skin

Do you have acne problems? Your skin can be prone to acne, which means that your pores easily get clogged due to the type of skin you have. You may have oily skin, dry skin, or a combination of dry and oily skin. Oily skin causes clogged pores and dry skin creates a lack of moisture that leads to sensitive skin and breakouts. Treating your oily, dry, or dry skin with the proper remedies, such as those mentioned above, can help prevent and reduce facial acne. Microdermabrasion can help reduce the appearance of acne scars and dry skin. As an acne treatment, microdermabrasion is also a great preventative tool.

Soothe dry, chapped lips

Dehydration and cold weather are often to blame for dry, chapped lips. If you are experiencing painfully dry lips, here are some ways to soothe and hydrate them:

• Drink lots of water during the day.

• For extremely dry lips, create a gentle exfoliator by combining sugar, olive oil, and honey. Gently apply to lips, rinse with lukewarm water and then apply a natural lip balm.

• Make a natural, calming lip balm with beeswax, essential oils, and cocoa butter. Combine 2 teaspoons of beeswax with 7 tablespoons of cocoa butter. Melt in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring gently, until melted. Remove from heat and let cool for a couple of minutes. Add 6-8 drops of lavender, grapefruit, peppermint, chamomile, or orange essential oil.

• Avoid pinching the dry skin on your lips.

• Get in the habit of using lip balm frequently.

Treat your hands well

Your hands are the most used part of your body, which means that you will probably notice their dryness easily. To soothe your chapped hands, apply a rich moisturizer frequently. After each time you wash your hands, apply a generous amount of moisturizer. Check out the list of key ingredients to look for above to find a soothing, protective moisturizer. Use mild cleansers and continue to wash your hands regularly. Avoiding hand washing can lead to contraction of contagious diseases. At night, apply petroleum jelly, mineral oil, or lanolin to your hands to help trap water on the skin.

Do not neglect your eyes

The skin around the eyes is very delicate and often goes unrecognized as areas of the body that dry out. However, the skin under the eyes and lids are prone to dryness. Many people use harsh chemicals to remove eye makeup, not realizing that they are drying out their delicate skin. The skin around the eyes can also thin with age, and dark circles and wrinkles can form. When the skin around the eyes is dry, these blemishes become more noticeable and more difficult to cover.

Here are some tips to help hydrate the skin around the eyes:

• Avoid rubbing your eyes, which removes moisture from the skin, to reduce bags under the eyes.

• Wear protective sunglasses when outdoors or in UV light.

• Soak a green tea bag in cold water. Place the bag over your eyes for a few minutes before gently rinsing with warm water and patting dry. This helps reduce dryness and stimulates cell regeneration. Finish by applying a small layer of natural oil.

• Avoid using harsh chemicals in your makeup remover.

• Apply raw milk under the eyes. Let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water.

• Apply natural oils under your eyes before bed to help retain moisture.

• Get enough sleep to make sure your body has time to repair your dry skin.

Improves skin condition throughout the body

Dryness in the body is uncomfortable. Fortunately, there are remedies that can bring you comfort and relief.

• Apply moisturizer immediately after showers and baths.

• Shave immediately after bathing and use a mild shaving cream or gel.

• Avoid dull razor blades that irritate dry skin by changing your razor after every 5 to 7 shaves.

• Use mild laundry detergents.

• Cover your body when outdoors in winter.

• Apply a generous amount of natural oils like coconut oil all over your body before going to bed at night.

• Avoid long, hot showers. Hot water dries out the skin by stripping it of the oils needed to keep the skin plump and moist. Instead, try switching to lukewarm showers for 5-10 minutes.

• Use non-abrasive, fragrance-free facial cleansers. Many cleansers contain sodium lauryl sulfate which can remove moisture from the skin.

• If you live in a dry climate or have dry skin in the colder seasons, consider installing or using a humidifier in your home or bedroom at night while you sleep. Humidifiers add moisture to the air, which can soothe dry, chapped skin and can also help smooth wrinkles.

Remedies for dry skin on feet

The skin on the soles or feet is the thickest on your body and is naturally dry. Dry, cracked skin on the feet can cause pain and discomfort. To get rid of dry skin on your feet, start by soaking your feet in warm water or undiluted lemon juice. Gently remove dead skin with a pumice stone. Rinse your feet with lukewarm water and pat dry with a soft towel. Apply a foot cream or petroleum jelly and cover it with a clean pair of cotton socks. This remedy works well at night because the cream has time to penetrate the skin. Drinking plenty of water every day and avoiding alcohol and caffeine will also help reduce the dryness of the skin on your feet. Avoid chopping or cutting the dead skin. Removing too much skin can lead to infection and pain.