Hydrate from the Inside Out
Hydrating from the inside out is one of the best remedies for extremely dry skin. Drinking ample amounts of water throughout the day will help the body’s cells remain hydrated and healthy. Eating foods that are high in water content such as cucumbers, tomatoes, watermelon and pineapple can help to boost the skin’s hydration levels as well.
Let’s explore further how to hydrate from the inside out and help restore dry skin:
Increase water intake
It is important to drink enough water to maintain proper hydration levels in your body. Being dehydrated can reduce the overall production of natural skin oils and prevent existing moisture from being effectively absorbed and retained in your skin. While there are many products available to moisturize your skin externally, the best way to remedy dryness is by hydrating from the inside out.
Making sure you’re consuming enough fluids throughout the day can be beneficial for not just dry skin, but for overall internal health as well. Generally, it’s recommended that adults consume eight 8-ounce glasses of liquids daily; and more when dealing with heat exhaustion or physical exertion. Since water itself does not necessarily provide any vitamins or minerals but offers other benefits to your body systems, it may be beneficial for you to consider adding low-sugar beverages such as juices or dairy alternatives that can also provide some essential nourishment through their additional ingredients. Additionally, substituting some of your caffeine intake with decaffeinated beverages that contain electrolytes—such as coconut water—can further help you combat dehydration while still getting some of the perks of energizing yourself naturally with caffeine sources.
Last but not least, adding in hydrating foods like fruits like cucumbers, watermelons and oranges into your diet aids in maintaining sufficient liquid levels in your body too!
Eat foods that are high in moisture
Eating a variety of foods that are packed with moisture can help to nourish and restore your skin’s natural protective barrier. Consider adding nutrient-rich and hydrating foods to your diet such as:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables: Leafy greens, oranges, apples, cucumbers and tomatoes are all high in water content. Packed full of key vitamins and minerals; they’re also a good source of antioxidants that can help combat dryness.
- Low fat dairy products: Milk, yogurt, cottage cheese and other low fat dairy products provide a dose of calcium that helps rebuild collagen in the skin for more plumpness. Additionally, these items are high in protein which helps with better circulation for healthier looking skin.
- Nuts, seeds & avocados: Nuts such as almonds and walnuts contain healthy fats which are essential for keeping your skin hydrated. Avocado is another good choice when it comes to maintaining moisture balance. B vitamins (found in seeds) help promote cell turnover while minerals like zinc (found in pumpkin seeds) aid in collagen production – essential for glowing skin!
In addition to consuming hydrating foods internally, don’t forget to drink plenty of water throughout the day! Water flushes toxins out of the body which helps keep pores clear from clogging impurities – resulting in cleaner looking skin sans blemishes or fine lines. Try incorporating an infuser water bottle into your everyday routine so you can get creative with lemon or cucumber slices inside your drink adding an element of refreshment.
Moisturize
Moisturizing is an essential part of taking care of extremely dry skin. It helps to replace the oils and lipids in the skin that have been lost due to the dryness. By choosing the right moisturizer, you can help to soothe dry, flaky skin and even help to protect it from further damage.
There are a few things to consider when it comes to choosing the best moisturizer for your dry skin:
Choose the right moisturizer
Selecting the right moisturizer is essential to keeping dry skin hydrated and healthy. With the multitude of lotions, oils, serums, creams, and butters available on the market today, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. In order to choose a product compatible with your skin type and lifestyle, start by considering the following:
- Ingredients – Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides to help retain moisture in skin as well as aloe vera or glycerin to soothe and heal dry patches. Avoid fragrances and dyes that can aggravate sensitive skin.
- Texture – Oils are best for extremely dry skin; nutrient-packed butters work well for long-lasting protection; light gel-creams are ideal for wearing in the daytime under makeup; heavy creams are better used before bed or on particularly rough patches; lotions are suited for regular use due their quick absorbency.
- Usage – If you need instant relief opt for a thicker product applied multiple times per day. If you’re seeking preventative protection apply a thin layer regularly throughout the day. Consider if you want extra effects like firming or anti-aging properties from your moisturizer when looking at labels.
Finally, remember that everyone’s skin is unique – experiment with different products until you find one that works well for you!
Don’t forget to moisturize your hands and feet
It’s important to remember to moisturize all parts of your body, especially your hands and feet, to keep them looking and feeling great. As we age, our skin tends to become drier and more prone to itching. While this can be uncomfortable, it is also preventable with simple steps.
Your hands and feet are two key points of contact with the environment. The skin on these areas is thin and prone to becoming dry in harsh conditions, leading to cracking and itching if not properly moisturized. To avoid these unpleasant symptoms, it is imperative that you pay extra attention when applying a moisturizer. Make sure the product you choose contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid or shea butter as they help create a protective barrier on your skin while locking in hydration at the same time.
In addition to applying a generous dose of moisturizer after showering or washing your hands, use lip balm regularly on your lips as well— even during summer months! The lack of humidity can lead to chapped lips and using a moisturizing balm regularly will help avoid that problem.
Finally, make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day so that your body stays well hydrated from within! Even though drinking water won’t directly replace lost hydration from your skin’s surface topically with lotions or creams it will definitely help reduce any signs of dehydration from happening internally around all areas including hands and feet.
Use a humidifier
If you are suffering from extremely dry skin, the use of a humidifier is one of the most beneficial things you can do to help moisturize your skin. A good quality humidifier can help mimic beneficial natural moisture in the home or office, helping to strengthen your skin’s protective barrier.
Humidifiers work by releasing a fine mist of water vapor into the air, increasing humidity levels and supporting healthier indoor air conditions where you live or work. When water vapor combines with healthy air particles, it creates an environment that keeps your skin moist and healthy. It is essential to keep your space’s humidity levels at between 40-60 percent to get maximum benefit – excessive humidity can, unfortunately, cause additional problems. If you aren’t sure how to measure your relative humidity level at home, consider investing in an affordable digital hydrometer that will give accurate readings throughout the day.
Using a quality humidifier regularly will keep your skin softer and better hydrated so that it looks and feels younger and healthier than ever before. Humidifiers are also great for providing relief from cold symptoms like sinus congestion as well as promoting a healthier environment in general when respiratory issues such as asthma are present.
Avoid Irritants
Having extremely dry skin can be very difficult to manage, especially if you’re looking for relief and don’t know what to do. One of the first things to consider when trying to combat extremely dry skin is avoiding any known irritants. This means avoiding products with fragrances, dyes, or harsh chemicals, as these can all make dry skin worse. Additionally, it is important to limit your exposure to hot water and harsh soaps.
Let’s take a more in-depth look at what else you can do to avoid irritants when dealing with dry skin:
Limit exposure to hot water and harsh soaps
Hot water and harsh soaps can be harmful to extremely dry skin. Hot water in particular can strip away essential oils from your skin, making your dry skin worse. Therefore, it’s beneficial to limit your exposure to hot water as much as possible while bathing or showering and choose mild soaps designed specifically for people with very dry skin.
Choosing a mild soap is not just about avoiding irritants that could damage the skin barrier and worsen your symptoms, but also provides benefit in other ways. Many products contain ingredients such as Vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, coconut oil and other natural oils that can help lock in moisture on the surface of the skin. Look for gentle yet effective products containing these ingredients when shopping for soaps suitable for very dry skin.
It’s also helpful to adjust the temperature of your shower or bathwater slightly lower than what you may normally be accustomed to using – lukewarm instead of hot will help protect the surface barrier of your skin further by preventing unnecessary stripping away of its protective oils. Additionally, keeping showers or baths short will help minimize loss of necessary lipids on the surface layer and keep your sensitive, very dry skin in optimal condition.
Avoid fragrances and harsh chemicals
Fragrances and dyes can cause allergies and sensitivities that can irritate skin even more. Harsh chemicals found in many over-the-counter products can strip away the natural oils your skin needs to stay moisturized. Be aware of labels like “unscented,” which is just a masking scent; there could still be a fragrance lurking in the bottle. Look out for ingredients such as thickeners, preservatives, fragrances, and alcohols that will further dry out or damage your skin.
Instead, choose soap-free cleansers labeled “mild” or “for sensitive skin” and look for products with hydrating ingredients like glycerin, lanolin, ceramides, and mineral oils.
Wear protective clothing
While clothing can be a source of skin irritation, wearing appropriate protective clothing in cold or dry conditions can help protect and soothe extremely dry skin. Choose clothing made of breathable fabrics such as cotton, silk or wool, which helps keep the air warm and moist against the skin.
In cold weather, wear gloves when outdoors to protect the hands from extreme temperatures and wind chill. In hot weather, shielding your skin from the sun’s UV rays is especially important. Wear hats with wide brims to shade your face and broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 on any part that may be exposed to the sun’s rays.
Natural Remedies
Having extremely dry skin can be uncomfortable and irritating. Fortunately, there are many natural remedies that can help reduce the symptoms of extremely dry skin. These remedies range from simple lifestyle changes to ingredients you can find in your kitchen.
Let’s take a look at some of the natural remedies that can help improve the condition of extremely dry skin:
Use natural oils and butters
Using natural oils and butters are an excellent way to effectively treat your dry skin. Natural plant-based oils such as jojoba oil, sweet almond oil and olive oil are all nourishing for the skin. They mimic your skin’s own sebum which helps to keep the skin balanced and moisturized as well as providing antioxidant protection.
Another useful remedy is cocoa butter which is a rich source of vitamin E and fatty acids that can help restore moisture back into the skin. Shea butter is also very effective for treating extremely dry skin as it has wonderful healing properties. It is especially helpful in calming inflammation, relieving itching and even helping to repair cracked or damaged skin if used on a regular basis.
Using either natural butters or oils can make all the difference in soothing dryness and keeping your skin looking smooth and supple. If you have severely dry or irritated skin, look for products with ingredients like grapeseed oil, sunflower seed oil or coconut oil – all of these have high amounts of fatty acids that help to lock in moisture while providing nourishing Vitamin E benefits! Combined with proper hydration methods, these solutions should make a huge difference in the overall health of your skin.
Try oatmeal baths
Oatmeal baths are one of the oldest home remedies for treating dry, irritated skin. They are simple to prepare and extremely effective at soothing and moisturizing the skin. Oats contain compounds called Avenanthramides which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can soothe itchy skin while restoring moisture balance.
To make an oatmeal bath, simply add a few heaping spoonfuls of oats to a muslin bag or a clean stocking, tie it shut and drop it into your bathwater. Let it soak for about 15 minutes before removing from the water and enjoy the calming effects of an oatmeal bath.
Make sure to use colloidal oats which have been ground down into very fine particles for maximum absorption in bathroom water. You can create your own or purchase colloidal oats from most healthfood stores or online retailers. In addition to relieving dryness, an oatmeal bath may also help alleviate itching due to sunburns or bug bites, as well as provide relief from symptoms associated with conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
Use honey as a mask
Many people with dry skin are looking to find natural remedies that can help without the use of lotions or creams loaded with harsh chemicals. One simple, natural remedy to try is using honey as a mask. The naturally occurring antioxidants, enzymes, and other compounds in honey have been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that can benefit the skin.
Honey has the ability to draw moisture from its surroundings into the skin, so it helps create an environment for healing. Applying a thin layer of honey on your face can also protect from microbial growth, reducing any potential infections. Additionally, it helps reduce wrinkles and give your skin a radiant glow.
First, it’s important to ensure you are using pure raw honey for this mask. Then mix a tablespoon of honey with water or rosewater until you achieve a thin paste like consistency which is easy to apply evenly on your face and neck area, avoiding eye contact due to its high sugar content. Leave the mixture on for 15 minutes then remove gently with warm water and enjoy smooth healthy looking skin instantly!
See a Dermatologist
Extremely dry skin can be a sign of a more serious skin condition and should be addressed by a qualified dermatologist. A dermatologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the skin, hair, and nails. By visiting a dermatologist, you can get to the root of the issue, understand possible causes and start a treatment plan to help restore healthy skin.
Get a professional diagnosis
If you suffer from extremely dry skin, seeking treatment from a dermatologist can help provide relief. A dermatologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the skin, nails, and hair. Visiting a dermatologist can be beneficial if you have chronic skin issues, persistent rashes or redness, or other symptoms that don’t resolve with treatment at home.
When you visit a dermatologist they will likely ask detailed questions about your medical history as well as the severity of your condition. Be sure to have the answers ready and explain any attempts at home treatments. The doctor may also need to inspect the affected areas more closely; this could include taking photographs of the area(s) or getting blood tests to rule out any underlying medical conditions that could be causing your dry skin.
Based on their findings, your dermatologist may recommend one or more of these forms of treatments:
- Topical medications (e.g. creams and ointments)
- Oral Medications
- Phototherapy (light therapy)
- Laser Treatments
This is also an ideal time to ask any questions you may have about preventing further dry skin related issues as well as managing flare-ups throughout the year – seek advice on which moisturizers work best for your unique needs and ways to reduce inflammation in sensitive areas.
Ask about prescription medications
If over-the-counter remedies don’t bring relief and your skin is still dry, it may be time to see a dermatologist. Generally, the faster you visit the doctor, the better chance you’ll have of managing your symptoms quickly.
A dermatologist will examine your skin to find out what kind of treatment options could be the most effective for your condition. Your doctor can likely prescribe special topical creams or oral medications to get your dry skin under control. Some people may benefit from phototherapy which involves using ultraviolet light on select areas of the body that are affected by extreme dryness.
Prescription medications can range from antihistamines an anti-inflammatory drugs to topical steroids that help suppress plaque formation and reduce itching. Depending on what type of condition you have, there may also be a range of other special medications available that could be more beneficial for you than over-the-counter alternatives. Your dermatologist will know how to determine which option might work best for treating your dry skin and alleviating any associated discomfort or distress.
Discuss laser treatments
Depending on the severity of the dry skin, your doctor may recommend a laser-based procedure. Laser treatments are used to help stimulate and regenerate new skin cells, as well as to smooth skin texture. In addition to these benefits, laser therapy can also be used to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and dark spots on the skin.
Laser procedures for dry skin generally fall into two types – ablative lasers and non-ablative lasers. Ablative lasers use energy in the form of light or heat to remove the top layer of damaged or wrinkled skin in order to encourage collagen production and improve elasticity. Common ablative laser treatments include CO2 resurfacing, dermabrasion and fractional laser therapy.
Non-ablative lasers use heat in order to stimulate the natural healing process without removing any outer layer of skin tissue. Non-ablative lasers offer benefits similar to those provided by ablative lasers, such as improved collagen production, but with minimal down time associated with recovery from treatment. Examples of non-ablative laser treatments include IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) therapy and Nd:YAG laser therapy.
Your dermatologist can review your symptoms and concerns about dry skin and determine which type of treatment is most appropriate for you based on your individual health needs.