13 Natural Dry-Skin Remedies You Can DIY at Home

The list of culprits that cause dry skin is a long one, from hot showers and scrubbing yourself dry with a towel, to winter weather and aging. The good news is that unless you’re managing a skin condition, there are several excellent natural home treatments you can try to remedy your dry skin.

Several of the ingredients we include below, such as coconut oil, tea, and aloe vera, are often collectively referenced as “remedies,” but they’ve actually been used for centuries as homeopathic medicines in cultures worldwide.

“Home remedies are great for many skin types, especially if you are in a pinch or opt for alternative skin-care remedies,” says Jennifer Adell, a licensed aesthetician and the senior aesthetician at New Beauty and Wellness in Westport, Connecticut. “However, if you are experiencing chronic skin conditions such as rosacea, psoriasis, and cystic acne, consult with an aesthetician or dermatologist.”

Read on to learn about 13 natural dry skin remedies you can try at home, as well as some expert tips for avoiding dry skin relapses.

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.

3. Make a Natural Coconut Oil and Sugar Scrub

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.

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.

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.

9. Consider a Fruit Enzyme Cleanser or Exfoliant

10. Apply Aloe Vera to Dry, Irritated Skin

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

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

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.

5 Expert Tips for Avoiding a Dry-Skin Relapse

After restoring moisture to your skin, follow these steps to protect it and keep it from drying out again.

1. Make moisturizing a part of your daily skin-care routine. As soon as you step out of the shower, slather your skin from head to toe with a moisturizing lotion (the thicker it is, the richer it is). For extra dry skin, consider an ointment or a cream.

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   You can also consider products with shea butter, hyaluronic acid, or jojoba oil.
2. Develop other skin-friendly bathing habits. You should avoid hot showers and baths, and limit your overall bathing time between 5 and 10 minutes. Regular bar soap can contain ingredients such as fragrances and preservatives that can be harsh on your skin, so opt for a mild cleanser or liquid body wash instead.

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3. Avoid exposing your skin to harsh chemicals. That includes alcohol and apple cider vinegar. These ingredients can worsen dry skin and even cause burns in some cases, Shainhouse says.
4. Drink plenty of water. You may have heard that drinking water helps your skin look less dehydrated. While research isn’t definitive on the connections between drinking water and treating dry skin, good hydration may offer other health benefits.

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5. Dress appropriately for the weather. This goes beyond wearing sunscreen in the summer to protect against sunburns and skin cancer. “Remember to put on your gloves before you go outside into the winter air to prevent dryness and chapping,” Shainhouse says.

Why Opt for a Natural Dry-Skin Remedy Rather Than Buy a Product?

If long ingredient lists concern or confuse you, a home remedy may be worth trying. Over-the-counter products can have a ton of ingredients. They also tend to contain preservatives, as well as the active moisturizing products, says Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD, the residency program director and vice chair of the department of dermatology at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.

You may prefer to keep your skin-care routine simple, especially if you have allergies or a sensitive complexion. For example, unlike preservative-laden water-based lotions and creams, oils have a natural base, making them a good choice for dry skin when a skin condition isn’t involved.

The Takeaway

There are several potential causes of dry skin, like daily bathing habits or aging, but luckily most dry skin issues don't require a dermatologist visit. Natural, home remedies using common kitchen ingredients like coconut oil, oatmeal, and aloe vera can often soothe and hydrate dry skin effectively, as well as provide some moisturizing and protecting effects.