The moisture content of your skin is about more than its appearance at the surface. Nutrition and lifestyle play a large role in keeping your skin cells plump, hydrated and healthy. MayoClinic.com says that most dry skin can be prevented through the use of home remedies, but if it's chronic or severe, you may need to visit a dermatologist.
Lifestyle
MayoClinic.com advises a number of lifestyle changes that can improve dry skin. Take shorter baths, using warm water instead of hot. Use mild soaps that have added oils and moisturizers. Look for ones specifically intended for dry or delicate skin. After bathing, moisturize immediately. The moisture content of the air has a large impact on the moisture content of your skin, which is one reason dry skin is such a problem in winter. Use a humidifier if your furnace is making your home's air too dry. Dress in natural fabrics such as cotton and silk that allow your skin to breathe but avoid wool.
Diet
Dry skin often is a sign of full-body dehydration. In "1000 Cures for 200 Ailments," naturopathy expert Dr. Geovanni Espinosa recommends you drink 10 8-oz. glasses of water a day. Eat cold-water fish several times a week. Fish such as salmon, herring and mackerel have plenty of omega-3 fatty acids. Because vitamin A and B deficiency can lead to dry skin, eat plenty of green, leafy vegetables. Espinosa also says dry skin can be a sign of a food allergy. Check into common culprits such as wheat, dairy, eggs and soy.
Supplements
Espinosa also has a number of supplement recommendations to remedy dryness of skin. Fish oil is good for the skin. If you aren't getting enough through diet, he suggests taking a fish oil supplement containing an EPA/DHA content of 1 to 3 g a day. A vitamin containing the recommended dose of vitamin A and B can help supplement your dietary intake. Vitamin E is important to skin health, and Espinosa suggests that you apply it directly to your skin combined with a moisturizer or skin oil.
Herbs
In "1000 Cures for 200 Ailments," herbalism expert Dr. David Kiefer suggests adding a cup of oatmeal to your bathwater. Oats have a coating and soothing effect. If you have a patch of particularly dry skin, he suggests that you apply an oat poultice. He also suggests herbs called demulcents that can be applied as a wash or added to your bathwater. Aloe vera, slippery elm bark, marshmallow root and fenugreek all are good candidates. Briefly boil 30 g of one of the plants in two to four cups of water. Let the water cool and apply.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Dry Skin
- "1000 Cures for 200 Ailments"; Editor Dr. Victor Sierpina; 2007
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