Homemade Hydrating Masks for Dry Skin

To have naturally glowing, fresh and hydrated skin is every woman’s dream! But let’s be honest, each one of us faces different skin problems, making that dream a little hard to achieve. And while it’s tempting to focus time, money, and efforts on a bunch of fancy products and expensive treatments, you can combat simple skin problems at home with easy DIY skin-care routines. This is true even for dry skin. Yes! For those suffering from dry, flaky, or rough skin, you are certainly not alone.

Why does the skin dry out?

The skin naturally produces an oil called sebum. This keeps the skin hydrated as well as protects cells from infection. Excess production of this oil by the skin causes pimples; however, deficiency of sebum on the skin may lead to dryness. Therefore, dry skin might seem like a no-brainer; it’s a lack of moisture. While this is a dermatological reason, there are other lurking dehydrators that may be the culprits for your dry skin problems. This rough, stretchy feeling may also be due to: 

• lack of humidity in the environment 

• harsh products that contain alcohol or astringents that strip your skin of natural oils

• over-cleansing and exfoliating

• long hot showers

• cold and windy weather, etc.

If only we had quick, easy and effective solutions to all our skin problems, right? 

DIY Face Masks for Dry Skin

When battling dry skin, facial masks have proven to be ideal weapons in protecting and restoring moisture to your face as well as soothing your skin. And guess what? These are found in the stores of your kitchen! With few, easily available ingredients, you can whip up different hydrating masks to treat your dry skin.

Avocado

This buttery, nutty fruit is prized for its high nutrient value, containing vitamins and antioxidants that deeply nourish dry skin. It has a moisturizing and collagen-boosting effect that gives the skin a soft, supple feel as well as a natural glow.

• Mix 2 tablespoons of mashed avocado with 1-2 teaspoons of honey. (You can add rose water or blended oats as an optional ingredient to this pack). Wash your face with a gentle cleanser, dry and apply the mask on your face and neck. Let it sit for 10-20 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water.

• For a deeper nourishing routine, mash 1 ripe avocado (without the seed) and combine it with 3-4 tablespoons of cold yogurt, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and a pinch of turmeric. Make a smooth paste and apply liberally on the face, leaving it on for 30 minutes. Rinse with warm and then cold water and pat dry. Store the extra mask in an airtight container with a thin layer of lemon juice squeezed on top to prevent the mask from browning.

Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt acts as a mild and gentle cleanser/exfoliator, as it contains lactic acid that removes dry skin, leaving it fresh, soft and smooth. Experts swear by this ingredient, so do give it a try!

• Mix 1 tablespoon of Greek yogurt with 1 teaspoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of blended oats. Slather the mask on clean skin for 10-15 minutes, then wash with lukewarm water.

• Combine 2 teaspoons of Greek yogurt, mashed strawberries and 1 teaspoon of honey in a bowl. Whip the mixture until you get a smooth consistency and apply it on the face for 10 minutes. Rinse with water and pat dry.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is no secret to younger-looking, healthy skin. It helps alleviate redness and irritation, soothes dry skin, decreases signs of aging, as well as reduces acne.

• Cut ½ a cucumber in slices and blend in a blender. Add 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel to the mixture and whip till smooth. Massage the mask on your face and leave it to dry for half an hour. Rinse with cool water.

• To 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel, add 1 tablespoon of shea butter and one tablespoon of coconut oil. Mix the ingredients well and apply on the face. Let the mask dry for 15 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water.

Banana

Bananas have moisturizing properties that help heal cracked, dry and flaky skin. They also contain potassium and vitamin C and E that promote clear and glowing skin.

• Mix ½ ripe banana with 1 tablespoon honey and 1 teaspoon oil of your choice (coconut, olive, almond – oils help regulate skin’s sebum production). Apply on the face and rinse after 10 minutes. You can apply this pack once a week.

• Alternatively, combine 1 ripe banana, 2 tablespoons full-fat milk, 1 tablespoon butter (yellow/white), a few rose petals – chopped and mashed. Blend the ingredients for a smooth paste and apply it. Let the mask sit for 20 minutes, then wash and pat dry with a soft towel. 

Tips to prevent dry skin

1. Moisturize: Moisturizers, ointments and oils seal the skin and promote water retention in the body. After cleansing and toning, it is a must to moisturize your face to complete the skin-care routine. You can also apply a moisturizer at night and wash your face with a gentle cleanser in the morning. Opt for gentle, face-friendly moisturizers instead of products that contain alcohol, astringents, sulfates, parabens, artificial fragrances, or color.

2. Modify your showering habits: Skip the hot showers and replace them with comfortably lukewarm ones or at least make your hot shower relatively short. Hot water strips off the natural oils from your skin, giving it a dry, dull look. You can also reduce your time spent in the shower, as excess water on the skin leaves it drier than before.

3. Ditch the soap: Try gentle skin cleansers, cleansing creams and shower gels that contain moisturizers.

4. Exfoliate: The skin needs to breathe too! And exfoliating removes dry, dead skin cells that clog pores on the skin. However, this needs to be done the right way. Scrubbing granular exfoliators may only worsen your skin, inflaming it and leaving it red and patchy. It is recommended to gently massage and rub your face with mild cleansers.

5. Hydrate: Beauty comes from the inside out. Drinking enough water keeps the skin naturally moisturized and hydrated. Aim for 8-10 glasses of water daily or tweak your liquid intake with fresh juices, smoothies, or additional supplements that can be added to water.

6. Invest in a humidifier: Extreme cold, heat, or dry weather removes moisture from the air and the skin. Thus, low humidity can be a factor for dry skin. Using a humidifier restores moisture to the air indoors.

Everyone’s skin is uniquely different. Therefore, it is recommended to always do a patch test before applying any mask. You can always tweak the recipes to suit your skin needs. Go ahead! Give these a try and share your experience using these masks in the comment section below.

Sources:

Reference 1: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324935#causes

Reference 2: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-skin/symptoms-causes/syc-20353885

Reference 3: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/12-proven-benefits-of-avocado#3

Reference 4: https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/homemade-face-packs-for-dry-skin-2/#AvocadoFacePack

Reference 5: https://www.thehealthymaven.com/hydrating-avocado-face-mask

Reference 6: http://www.naivecookcooks.com/avocado-face-mask/

Reference 7: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a29506753/homemade-face-masks-diy-recipes/

Reference 8: https://www.siobeauty.com/blogs/news/hydrating-face-mask

Reference 9: https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/face-pack-for-the-winter-dry-skin/

Reference 10: https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/homemade-face-packs-for-dry-skin-2/#EggYolkFacePack