Most people experience dry and itchy skin every now and then. Here are some tips on healing dry and itchy skin naturally.
What exactly is dry, itchy skin and what are its causes ?
Well, for starters, dry skin has a low level of sebum and is prone to sensitivity. Sebum is an oily substance secreted by the sebaceous glands in skin. Its main purpose is to make the skin and hair waterproof and to protect them from drying out.
With dry, itchy skin ,the skin has a parched look caused by its inability to retain moisture. It usually feels "tight" and uncomfortable after washing unless some type of moisturizer or skin cream is applied. Chapping and cracking are signs of extremely dry, dehydrated, itchy skin.
Dryness is exacerbated by wind, extremes of temperature and air-conditioning, all of which cause the skin to flake, chap and feel tight
Causes of Dry Itchy Skin
The oil glands do not supply enough lubrication to the skin. As a result, the skin becomes dehydrated.
Skin gets exposed to the elements especially in winter.
Dry skin could be due to a genetic condition.
Poor diet. Nutritional deficiencies, especially deficiencies of vitamin A and the B vitamins, can also contribute to dry itchy skin.
Environmental factors such as exposure to sun, wind, cold, chemicals, or cosmetics, or excessive bathing with harsh soaps.
Conditions such as dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, or seborrhea.
Dry skin can be a sign of an underactive thyroid.
Serious skin complications can arise for people with diabetes.
Certain drugs, including diuretics, antispasmodics, and antihistamines, can contribute to dry skin.
How To Care for Dry Itchy Skin
Avoid the use of tap water when cleansing dry skin. The deposits are too drying on the skin. Use mineral water to freshen your face. Don't use a washcloth-a rough texture can irritate. In the morning, apply a spray of mineral water on your skin. Lightly pat dry.
Dry skin needs plenty of thorough but gentle cleansing, regular stimulation with massage and generous quantities of oil and moisture. It also needs extra careful protection.
Washing dry skin with soap and water not only removes grime but also the natural oils protecting the skin. A moisturizer increases the water content of the outer layers of the skin and gives it a soft, moist look.
Use nondetergent, neutral-pH products to cleanse your skin. Avoid using any commercial soap. Double-cleanse with a cream, leaving a light, thin trace of it on the skin after the second cleansing.
Follow a bath or a shower with a mild application of baby oil.
Moistening with water, then applying a thin film of air-excluding moisturizer, restores the suppleness of the dry skin.
Morning Skin Cleanser/Rejuvenator
Every morning 15 minutes before taking your bath
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon orange juice
1 teaspoon olive oil and
few drops of rose water
few drops of lime juice
Mix the above ingredients together and apply on your skin.
Use a humidifier (or even a pan of water placed near a radiator) to humidify your environment, especially in winter. This helps to reduce the amount of moisture lost from the skin through evaporation.
Stay out of overheated rooms; avoid sudden changes in temperature; protect yourself from wind and sun. Remember, your face is fragile.
If you don't have a good, strong moisturizer on your face on a cold, windy winter day, don't go out! Cold will cause any moisture on your skin to evaporate. The wind will just accelerate the process.
Do not use harsh soaps, cold cream, or cleansing creams on your skin. Cleansing creams are made from hydrogenated oils, which can cause free radical damage to the skin, resulting in dryness and wrinkles. Instead, use pure olive, avocado, or almond oil to cleanse the skin. Pat the oil on, then wash it off with warm water and a soft cloth.
Do not use very hot water when bathing or showering.
As much as possible, stay out of the sun. The sun is responsible for most of the damage done to the skin. It causes dryness, wrinkles, and even rashes and blisters. Always apply a good sunscreen to all exposed areas of skin if you must be in the sun.
Herbs for Dry Itchy Skin
Aloe Vera: Aloe vera is soothing, healing, and moisturizing. It also helps to remove dead skin cells. Apply aloe vera gel topically on affected areas.
Calendula and comfrey have skin-softening properties. They can be used in a facial sauna or to make herbal or floral waters. Comfrey also reduces redness and soothes irritated skin.
Add 5 drops of lavender oil or oat extract to bath water. After the bath, apply diluted evening primrose oil or aloe vera cream.
Drink teas of chamomile, dandelion .
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Diet Recommendations for Dry itchy Skin
Eat a balanced diet that includes vegetables, fruits, grains, seeds, and nuts.
Eat quality protein from vegetable sources. Increase your intake of raw foods.
Eat foods such as garlic, onions, eggs, and asparagus that are high in sulfur, which helps to keep the skin smooth and youthful.
Consume plenty of yellow and orange vegetables. These are high in beta-carotene, an antioxidant. Carrots are especially good.
Unrefined, cold-pressed flax seed oil used daily on salads and baked potatoes, or mixed into any dishes which do not require heating to high temperatures will make dry skin moist and supple. Flax seed oil contains the essential fatty acids omega-3 alpha linolenic acid and omega-6 linoleic acid.
These are converted in the body into hormone, like substances called Prostaglandins, which support skin health.
Cantaloupes, carrots and apricots are healing foods for dry skin because they are rich in the vitamins A and C, both important for a supple, smooth skin. Eat them whole or take as fresh juices. Eat foods rich in pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), such as milk cheese, natural plain yogurt, kefir, leafy green vegetables, nutritional yeast and wheat germ. Pantothenic acid is needed for the synthesis of fats and oils used by the skin.
Avoid fried foods, animal fats, and heat-processed vegetable oils. Use cold- pressed oils only. Heating oils leads to the production of free radicals, which have a destructive effect on the skin.
Get sufficient sleep as the skin's cellular repair activity is at its optimum during this resting phase.
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