The dream of having silky smooth skin with a youthful glow can almost seem unattainable at times. How can you make your skin look like those amazing models in the skin care commercials? You have a couple options: learn how to use Photoshop to make your skin look flawless, or start using natural ingredients that work to improve the overall health of your skin.
The human body generates sebum, which is a natural moisturizer that protects the skin and hair from external pathogens. The result is that your skin remains smooth and healthy. Because each person has a different chemical makeup, the production of sebum varies from person to person. Someone with oily skin produces too much sebum, while someone with dry skin produces a low amount of sebum production. Hormone levels or underlying medical conditions can also affect sebum production and makeup. For instance, a person with high stress hormones or diabetes can have dry or oily skin because of the chemical imbalance in the body.
What Can You Do If Your Skin Is Dry?
First off, don’t fret because there are many natural remedies that can alleviate dry skin. The main objective is to hydrate the skin and keep water in, which is the primary function of sebum and hyaluronic acid. Someone with dry skin typically experiences early signs of aging because the skin is not properly hydrated. Hydrating the skin can be done via proper bathing and consuming foods that contain high water content. Once these steps are taken, apply the natural moisturizers, which act as balanced sebum production, to help keep your skin hydrated and protected. Use the following moisturizers if you experience dry or cracked skin.
Shea Butter
Shea butter may be one of the most popular ingredients in skin care products because of its incredible moisturizing properties. The natural creaminess makes it perfect for all types of skin, including sensitive skin and baby skin. When purchasing Shea butter, opt for the organic pure Shea butter because of its gentle nature and rich vitamin A & F content. You can mix Shea butter with virgin coconut oil and apply it directly to the skin, or you can apply it without a carrier oil.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Used for centuries for its ability to naturally moisturize the skin, olive oil helps to strengthen the skin and create a protective barrier from damaging UV rays. The antioxidants and natural acids in olive oil work to hydrate the skin and, after application, the skin is left feeling moisturized and refreshed.
Raw Honey
Raw honey is rich in antibacterial properties, which have the ability to unclog pores and cleanse the skin, making it a great remedy for people with acne. The antioxidants in raw honey also work to reduce blemishes, skin irritations, and wrinkles, all the while keeping the skin refreshed and youthful. Mix about two tablespoons of raw honey with eight tablespoons of warm water. Apply that to the area of dry skin, rinse, and then pat dry.
Avocado Oil
The great thing about avocado oil is that it penetrates the skin to lock in moisture, but it also boosts moisture from within. Avocado contains omega-3 fatty acids, which help build healthy cell membranes, and the vitamin E content may fight aging while keeping the skin refreshed and moisturized.
Jojoba Oil
The wax esters and fats in jojoba oil mimic the composition of sebum. Applying jojoba oil on dry skin or cracked areas helps to keep the skin balanced and moisturized, but it takes a while for jojoba oil to soak into the skin. As a result, the top layers of the skin begin absorbing jojoba’s antioxidants, which help to fight environmental stressors that can dry out the skin.