What Are The Best Natural Ingredients For Dry Skin?

Do you suffer from dry skin? Then you’ll know it can be an uncomfortable and potentially embarrassing condition to deal with.

Thankfully, there are many different natural ingredients that can help, given to us by Mother Nature to aid dry and inflamed skin.

Here, we’ll be going over some of the best natural remedies for dry skin, as well as touching on how organic products can also nourish the skin.

What Causes Dry Skin?

Before we get into the individual ingredients that can help restore your skin recovery, let’s take a look at the various factors that can cause our skin to dry out in the first place.

Dry skin can stem from various factors, both internal and external. For starters, skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis can all lead to dryness due to impaired skin barrier function and a lack of moisture. 

Additionally, inadequate hydration and moisture levels in the body can also result in dry skin, as water is essential for maintaining skin suppleness. So if you’re not drinking at the very least two litres of water a day, this could well explain why your skin is dry.

Diet also plays a crucial role, as deficiencies in essential fatty acids and vitamins like A and E can exacerbate dryness (more on this below). 

External factors such as harsh weather conditions, air pollution, and excessive exposure to UV radiation can also strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and flakiness. 

Using the right skincare products formulated with hydrating ingredients can help replenish moisture levels in the skin and restore its natural barrier function. Likewise, opting for gentle cleansers and moisturisers that are designed specifically for dry skin can also provide much-needed relief and prevent further moisture loss.

Aloe Vera

When aloe vera is applied to the skin, a plethora of vitamins, enzymes, amino acids and antioxidants work together to soothe and provide nourishment. 

The gel is also great for providing hydration, which can prove to be a great remedy for dry skin and irritation, while its anti-inflammatory and cooling effects are especially beneficial for soothing sunburns, reducing redness and providing some much-needed relief for chronic conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil is said to be similar to the sebum that’s produced naturally by our skin. Unsurprisingly, it’s been shown to provide a number of benefits when used topically, especially for those who suffer with skin conditions like dermatitis and psoriasis.

By mirroring the skin’s natural oils, jojoba acts as a wonderful moisturising agent. It’s also non-comedogenic, so it doesn't clog up your pores, making it suitable for various skin types. 

Do you suffer from dandruff? Then jojoba oil can be particularly beneficial for the scalp, as it helps to regulate sebum production, which prevents excessive oiliness or dryness, one of the leading causes of dandruff.

Cocoa Butter

Derived from cocoa beans, this nutrient-packed butter is rich in antioxidants and has incredible moisturising properties. 

By forming a protective barrier on your skin, cocoa butter will prevent moisture loss and keep it soft and supple. 

Cocoa butter also has a subtly sweet taste which is why you’ll often find it being used in lip balms.

Calendula

Calendula is another ingredient that’s known for its amazing skin-soothing benefits. A flowering plant that’s native to countries in the Mediterranean region, calendula has been used for its medicinal and cosmetic properties for hundreds of years

This ingredient is used in skincare products as it helps alleviate dry and irritated skin. So if you’re looking for some natural ingredients to add some hydration and nourishment, opt for a moisturising agent that contains calendula.

Kokum Butter

Derived from the seeds of the kokum tree, kokum butter is a natural emollient that’s not only an excellent moisturiser but is also loaded with nutrient-dense essential fatty acids.

Kokum butter hydrates and rejuvenates dry and damaged skin, helping lock in moisture. This prevents the skin from drying out in harsh weather conditions, making it perfect for applying during the winter.

Avocado

We all know avocado oil is great for cooking, but did you know it’s also prized for its ability to provide nourishment to the skin?

Avocado oil contains vitamins, essential fatty acids and bucket-loads of antioxidants that promote skin health and help shield you from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

Murumuru Butter

Murumuru butter is known to offer a variety of benefits for the skin and scalp. As well as being rich in essential fatty acids that deeply moisturise the skin, its emollient properties make it an excellent choice if you’re looking for something to soothe your dry, itching scalp.

A bonus you get from using this butter is that when it’s applied to the scalp, it helps nourish and condition the hair for a thicker, healthier mane.

So whether you’ve got dandruff or dry skin on your body, look out for this ingredient as it could prove to be a real game changer.

Argan Oil

Argan oil is often referred to as "liquid gold," due to the fact it’s the world’s most expensive edible oil, with litre bottles selling for £200 each.

Extracted from the kernels of the argan tree (Argania spinosa) that grows mainly in Morocco, this oil is a potent moisturiser, deeply hydrating the skin and easing dryness.

The luxurious oil is also abundant in antioxidants, including vitamin E, which helps protect the skin from environmental damage and signs of ageing. 

Shea Butter:

Shea butter is another natural ingredient that contains an abundance of fatty acids, making it an excellent moisturiser and ensuring it nourishes and hydrates deeply.

Shea butter also contains vitamins A, E and F, which promote skin health and act as a powerful antioxidant to fend off those pesky free radicals. 

Additionally, this skin-healing ingredient also possesses anti-inflammatory properties making it the ally of anyone with chronic skin conditions, while it also possesses a natural SPF of around 6, offering mild protection against UV radiation.

Why Choose Organic Over Non-Organic

So those are the best ingredients for tackling dry skin and inflammatory conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Before we round off, let’s touch on why organic products tend to be much more beneficial than non-organic. 

Firstly, organic skincare products are free from synthetic chemicals and artificial additives that may harm your skin in the long run. By choosing organic, you protect your skin from  exposure to toxins and irritants.

Moreover, if you’re concerned about GMO ingredients, organic products eschew the use of these so you can use your natural face creams, body lotions or shower gels safe in the knowledge you're avoiding the potential risk associated with genetically modified crops.

As well as being kinder to the skin, organic lip balms are often crafted with sustainability in mind. The cultivation of the organic ingredients that go into these products typically involves eco-friendly practices that make them gentler on the environment.

When you opt for one of the organic skincare brands, we’re more likely to adhere to cruelty-free principles. Having said that, not all organic skincare is as kind to you and the planet as it may appear, so be sure to check the company’s credentials if you’re unsure!