Winter is coming which means that cases of dry , itchy skin will become more common. Here are some more home remedies to help you stay soft, moisturized and free of the chemicals in commercial lotions.
Buttermilk has been used in the USA since the earliest settlers arrived to help moisturize dry skin, including buttermilk baths to keep the whole body in tip-top skin condition. If you suffer dry facial skin, try dabbing buttermilk on before allowing it to air dry and subsequently washing it off with warm water.
The Native American Indians on the other hand have traditionally used the oil of the Jojoba plant to keep their skin moist and to keep minor irritations, rashes and skin blemishes at bay. This is because Jojoba has well established anti-inflammatory qualities making it an ideal skin treatment for those with minor skin problems and irritations.
St. John's Wort is another herbal remedy that is highly recommended for dealing with dry skin too. It works especially well if you are having problems with chapped or damaged skin in particularly cold weather or if you suffer dry skin as a result of exposure to strong detergents.
There are also several ways to dry out oily skin. Your teen might find these treatments effective for acne.
The first and easiest thing to do is to avoid washing your skin too much. All that does is encourage the skin to produce even more oil. Instead, use tissues to dab away any excess oil as often as necessary.
An alternative is to dip a washcloth in natural yoghurt before dabbing it on the greasier areas of your skin. Allow the yoghurt to dry and it will bring the excess oil away with it.
An oily skin recipe that many find to be highly effective is a mixture of 1 egg white, ½ a cup of oatmeal, ½ a cup of mashed apple and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Mix all the ingredients together to a smooth paste, apply to your face for 15 minutes and then rinse off with warm water.
Exfoliating your face keeps it healthy too. An alternative exfoliant recipe that is especially effective for oily skin is a mix of 3 tablespoons of aloe vera gel, 1 tablespoon each of lime juice and honey and 2 tablespoons of brown sugar. Start by combining the aloe vera and honey until the mixture is completely smooth before adding the lime juice and then the sugar.
Apply the mask to the complete facial area with the tips of your fingers (once again, be gentle), leave on for 15 minutes and finally rinse the mixture off with warm water.