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.

Before applying olive oil directly to your skin, double-check whether this solution is right for you by consulting a dermatologist. Research suggests that olive oil may reduce inflammation, but applying it topically on its own may actually damage your skin barrier.[1]
Another study also found that while olive oil presented some anti-inflammatory effects when topically applied to skin, it had a negative effect on the skin barrier itself.[1]
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.

She recommends combining ½ avocado with ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt (which may improve skin texture because of its lactic acid content.[2] She also suggests adding a drizzle of manuka honey and 1 teaspoon of turmeric for potential anti-inflammatory benefits and to improve symptoms of inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema, per a separate.

[3] Apply the mixture to clean skin and let it set for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing off.
As for the other half of the avocado, why not eat it? Aside from avocados’ numerous, well-researched health benefits, a small pilot study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that a group of female participants who ate an avocado daily increased their skin elasticity and firmness.

[4] Another study found that combining avocado oil with water and saffron extract can also be a great dry-skin remedy. Researchers of another study found a combination of avocado oil, water, and saffron extract rejuvenated the skin and reduced the appearance of wrinkles, though it’s not clear whether any significant moisturization was noted.[5]

3. Make a Natural Coconut Oil and Sugar Scrub
To treat dead skin cells that might be giving your skin a dry texture and appearance, you may consider a gentle homemade sugar scrub. Try combining 1 cup of brown or granulated sugar with ½ cup of coconut oil.[6] If you want, you can add an essential oil like lavender, which lends a natural fragrance and may promote relaxation and decrease anxiety.[7] Gently rub the scrub into your skin for up to 30 seconds, then wash it off with lukewarm water. Lastly, the AAD recommends using a soothing moisturizer to lock in the benefits of freshly exfoliated skin.

[8] Keep in mind that physical, or mechanical, exfoliation of this type may not be suitable for all skin types. The AAD doesn’t recommend scrubs for irritated, acne-prone, or sensitive skin.[8]
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.

If you have eczema, oatmeal may offer relief from dry, inflamed, or irritated skin associated with both atopic and contact dermatitis.[9] In one study published in 2020, researchers observed that colloidal oatmeal treated hand eczema with its anti-inflammatory, soothing, and protective effects.[10]

5. Exfoliate Your Face With a Homemade Oatmeal Honey Mask
Oatmeal makes a great exfoliator or mask, too. Mix 2 tablespoons of oats with 1 tablespoon of honey and a dash of water. You can use it just to exfoliate and wash it off right away, or leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes as a soothing, hydrating mask. Research shows that honey may have antimicrobial properties that may also help accelerate wound healing.[11]

6. Apply Coconut Oil Before Bedtime
Coconut oil is another popular home treatment for healthy hair and skin which has roots in African and Indian cultures. [12] “Coconut oil becomes a solid at room temperature, so use it as a moisturi

13. Get Back to Basics With Petroleum Jelly
Chances are you already have a jar of Vaseline or Aquaphor in your medicine cabinet. These contain petroleum jelly (also called petrolatum), which can help alleviate dry skin, prevent chafing, and support skin healing.[25] Better yet, petroleum jelly may be safe enough to use all over the body, including on your lips and eyelids. Some people so swear by petroleum jelly that they slather it all over their face, leaving it on overnight, a practice called “slugging.”
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.

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.

[26] You can also consider products with shea butter, hyaluronic acid, or jojoba oil.
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.[26]
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.

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.

[27]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.

That’s often the case for water-based products, because bacteria grow easily in these formulas.[28] But while well intentioned, these preservatives, not to mention additives such as alcohol and fragrances, can contribute to irritation, dry skin, and sometimes allergic reactions.

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.

Keep in mind, though, that oils and other over-the-counter remedies aren’t regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so they aren’t guaranteed to be risk free.[29] It’s always a good idea to check with a dermatologist before adding any new DIY recipe to your skin-care routine, to be safe.

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.