The general cause of itchy, or your dry skin might seem like a no-brainer: It's a lack of moisture. But the case isn't that simple. Some skin dehydrators lurk in surprising places. If you're looking for remedies for dry skin, why not try some aloe vera gel or juice.
What causes skin dryness and why use Aloe Vera?
Aloe vera and skincare
Dry skin is an irritating condition characterized by scaling, itching, and cracking. It can come up for a variety of reasons. Your skin might be dry naturally. Even if you have oily skin, it can dry out from time to time. It can hit any body part, but most commonly it affects the hands, arms, and legs. In many cases, lifestyle modifications and over-the-counter moisturizers may be all you need to solve this. If these treatments aren’t sufficient, you should contact your doctor.
Symptoms of dry skin
Dry skin is often temporary, you may only get it during winter, for instance, but it may also be a lifetime condition. Symptoms depend on various factors like your age, health, where you live, time spent outdoors and the cause of the dryness. Dry skin can cause one or more of the following effects:
- A feeling of skin tightness, notably after showering, bathing or swimming
- Skin that appears and seems rough
- Itching
- Slight to severe flaking, scaling or peeling
- Fine lines or cracks
- Gray, ashy skin
- Redness
- Deep cracks that may bleed
Kinds of dry skin
Exposure to dry weather, hot water, underlying medical conditions, and certain chemicals can cause the skin to dry out. Dermatitis is the medical term for very dry skin. There are several different kinds of dermatitis.
Contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis begins when your skin reacts to something it comes into contact with, causing localized inflammation.
- Irritant contact dermatitis occurs when the skin’s exposed to an irritating chemical factor, such as bleach.
- Allergic contact dermatitis comes about when your skin is exposed to a substance you’re allergic to.
Seborrheic dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis occurs when your skin generates too much oil resulting in a red and scaly rash, normally on your scalp. This type of dermatitis is common in babies.
Atopic dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is also referred to as eczema. It’s a chronic skin that causes dry, scaly patches to show up on your skin. It’s common in young children.Other conditions, like psoriasis and type 2 diabetes, can also cause your skin to dry out.
Causes for dry skin
It can affect anyone, but some risk factors raise your odds of developing it like:
Age. Older people are more likely to get dry skin. As you age, your pores naturally produce lesser sebum oil, raising your risk of getting dry skin.
Medical history. You’re more likely to encounter eczema or allergic contact dermatitis if you have a history of these ailments or other allergic predisposition in your family.
Season. Dry skin is more prevalent during the fall and winter months when humidity levels are quite low. In the summer or hot climates, higher levels of humidity help stop your skin from drying out.
Bathing habits. Taking frequent baths or washing with boiling water raises your risk of dry skin.
Treatment for dry skin
Your doctor’s adviced treatment plan will depend on the cause of the dryness. In some instances, they may refer you to a skin specialist or dermatologist. Along with lifestyle remedies, they may suggest over-the-counter or prescription ointments, creams, or lotions to treat your symptoms.
Lifestyle Solutions
Simple lifestyle modifications can help stop and relieve dry skin. Try to:
- avoid using hot water to bathe
- shower on alternating days
- reduce your shower time to less than ten minutes
- use a moisturizing soap when you bathe
- apply a moisturizer immediately after bathing or showering
- pat, rather than rubbing, wet skin dry with a towel
- avoid itching or scrubbing dry patches
- use a humidifier in your home to increase the humidity if the house
- drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
It’s also important to go for the right kind of moisturizer for your skin type. If your skin is dehydrated, look for a petrolatum-based moisturizer. You might contemplate switching to a lighter, water-based lotion during the summer months if your skin becomes less dry then. Moisturizers that contain grapeseed oil and antioxidants can also help trap water in your skin.
Benefits of using Aloe Vera on dry skin
Aloe Vera as a moisturizer
Aloe gel which is a healing herb is known to contain anti-inflammatory, antifungal properties which heal dry skin. With 90 percent of liquid content, the succulent gel soothes the skin reducing red patches and itchy irritations caused by dryness. The gel also has antioxidants, vitamins, enzymes and minerals, active ingredients which sustains skin and provides a profound moisturizing effect. Even though the clear, see-through aloe gel is sticky, it moisturizes the skin without making you feel greasy. It is a perfect natural oil balancing treatment for rough skin.
Aloe also helps maintains the oil content for an oily skin type. Apart from beauty secrets, the plant with its great healing properties heals the skin from inflammation, acne, burns and also cuts. Aloe saturates the skin without giving it a greasy feel, so it`s ideal for those with an oily skin complexion. For females who use mineral-based make-up, aloe vera acts as a moisturizer and is great for the face before the application to prevents skin drying. For men: Aloe vera gel can be applied as an aftershave treatment for its healing properties can treat small cuts caused by shaving.
Aloe Vera as a skin brightener
Mix aloe vera gel with some yogurt for skin brightening therapy. The lactic acid in yogurt provides a healthy glowing skin which helps to eliminate dead cells, flaky skin, acts as fantastic bleach and makes skin soft and shine. This recipe works well for dryness reducing skin lines, tightening the pores and soften the red skin patches. It is also an excellent rejuvenator and delays aging.
Aloe Vera as a natural cleanser
Mix some aloe vera gel with some cucumber juice for a natural face cleanser. The crunchy fresh cucumber is a cooling agent for both the stomach and skin. The cucumber extracts hydrate skin, cools down itchiness, improves dull skin and repairs the cracked skin. The fresh juice gives instant relief for any skin irritations from the hot sun or cold weather.
Aloe Vera as a everyday scrub
Use aloe vera with some oatmeal to use it as a scrub. It is one of the best scrubbing means which opens up pores and clears the dirt and dust from the skin. The best part of using oatmeal is, it gets wet and softens. So you have no fear of harming your skin and need not to restrict or caution you’re scrubbing. But in case of sugar, salt or the baking soda there is a fear of granules harming your skin when over massaged.
Oatmeal is effective in lightening up dull, flaky skin and wipes away the dead outer layer formed due to dryness. It opens up pores, cleanses skin and penetrates deeply providing a deep pore moisturizer and helps the skin to breathe openly.
Aloe Vera as a sunburn reliever
Aloe Vera helps with sunburn which can cause the skin to dry out and feel itchy and tight, through its powerful healing activity at the epithelial level of the skin. It acts as a shielding layer on the skin and helps refresh its moisture. Because of its nutritional attributes and antioxidant properties, the skin heals quicker.
Ways to use aloe vera on dry skin
Gentle Aloe Vera Moisturizer For Dry Skin
- 1 cup aloe vera gel you can use store bought gel or harvest some from a leaf
- 12 of tablespoons beeswax
- ¼ cup of coconut oil
- ¼ cup of almond oil
- Ten drops of an essential oil
Heat the beeswax, coconut, and almond oils in a double boiler and pour the oils into a blender and let the mixture cool. Add in the essential oils and the gel. Mix until you get a creamy texture and store the mixture a glass jar. You can then keep the mixture in the refrigerator. This works because aloe vera calms your skin and lessens inflammation, itches and dry patches. Beeswax heals your skin and retains the skin's moisture. The essential oils prevent infection and help in healing your skin.
DIY Gentle And Hydrating Aloe Moisturizer For Dry Skin
- Three tablespoons of shea butter
- One teaspoon of vitamin E oil
- One teaspoon of aloe vera gel
- Three tablespoons of apricot seed oil
- Ten drops of an essential oil
- Five drops helichrysum essential oil
- Three drops clary sage essential oil
Using a double boiler, melt the butter and allow it to cool down a bit. Whisk the butter once it cools down and adds the oils and aloe vera gel. Keep mixing. Once it reaches a creamy consistency, transfer the cream to a glass container. Apply it to your face and body as and when required.
This works because Shea butter has marvelous healing and moisturizing properties. It contains vitamins A, D, and E that keep your skin nourished and help in treating eczema and other dry skin issues. Apricot seed oil goes along well with shea butter as it is non-irritant, and just like shea butter, it keeps your skin moisturized.
