If you’re suffering from a bout of dry skin but don’t know what to use to make it better, we’re here to help! Cold winter weather hasn’t let up quite yet but that doesn’t mean you have to go on with uncomfortably tight or irritated skin. Let’s take a look at some of Plant Therapy’s best products for skin that’s in desperate need of some nourishment and moisture!
Start with hydrosols.
Hydro-what? Don’t worry! If you aren’t sure about what hydrosols are, we have a blog that can help answer your burning questions: What is a Hydrosol?
For dry skin that may be rough or irritated, try using Lavender, Chamomile, Helichrysum, or Rose hydrosols. Not only do these smell fantastic and have incredibly calming properties, but you’re going to love how easy and convenient they are to use. Either spray directly onto your skin or dampen a cotton round with the hydrosol before applying it to the skin. No mixing, no measuring, no mess. Just beautiful skin!
Try this Dry Skin Toner, which uses only gentle hydrosols for irritated skin:
Blend together 2 ounces of Rose Hydrosol, 1 ounce of Lavender Hydrosol, and 1 ounce of Helichrysum Hydrosol in a 4-ounce spray bottle. Spritz anywhere you know your skin needs some hydration and enjoy! Please keep in mind that this mixture, like all hydrosols, should be stored in the fridge.
Interested in learning more ways to use these amazing products? Check out Our Top 10 Ways to Use Hydrosols!
Carrier oils help provide immediate relief to dry skin.
Sometimes the name “carrier oil” can be a bit deceiving. These amazing products do so much more than carry essential oils to your skin. In fact, they are extremely enjoyable to use by themselves and provide awesome benefits to your skin. And if dry skin is plaguing you, you’re definitely going to want to get your hands on some!
So how do you use carrier oils on dry skin? It really couldn’t be easier! Simply take about a teaspoon of your chosen carrier and use clean fingertips to gently massage it into your skin.
Dry skin is no match for Argan. This nutty carrier oil is rich in vitamin E, linoleic acid, and fatty acids. It’s wonderfully hydrating for dry skin; beauty experts swear by this vitamin-rich oil to help make complexions glow while also reducing the appearance of fine lines.
This deeply penetrating monounsaturated oil contains vitamins A, B, D, E, and beta carotene, making it very nourishing and moisturizing. Avocado has a much thicker consistency than many other carriers, and is often used in small amounts (about 5-10%) with other carrier oils to enrich them with its vitamin contents. This carrier is wonderful for very dry skin that is in dire need of some immediate moisture. It is also known to support sun-damaged skin.
Try Avocado in this DIY Dry Skin Essential Oil Oatmeal Mask to support soft and supple skin, even when the winter weather is trying to dry it out!
This all-around helpful carrier oil has a multitude of uses, but supporting dry skin is where it shines! It has excellent emollient properties that help to soften and recondition skin, plus it penetrates the skin quickly, providing quick relief to dry, irritated areas. Please keep in mind that this carrier, along with the aforementioned Argan, is made from a tree nut. Anyone with a nut allergy should consult with their medical practitioner before coming into contact with it.
To learn more about amazing carrier oils, check out A Deep Dive into Carrier Oils: Everything You Need to Know.
Some essential oils are great for dry skin, too!
If you want to add a little more power to your carrier oils, let’s take a quick look at some of the best essential oils for dry skin.
Helichrysum Italicum is wonderful for your skin’s overall health. Not just dryness, but also skin that is inflamed, itchy, and blemished. Use it on your face in a 1% dilution, and a maximum of 5% on other areas of the body. Learn more in The Top 5 Benefits of Helichrysum.
Frankincense Frereana is a fantastic go-to for all kinds of skin concerns. It supports dry skin while also helping to smooth the appearance of wrinkles and scars. Add a single drop to a teaspoon of carrier oil and gently apply to your face. For other dry areas of concern, we recommend a 3% maximum dilution.
Carrot Seed nourishes and helps heal skin due to being rich in carotenoids. It is known to rejuvenate the look of dull, dry skin, balance the skin’s sebum, and also helps with the healing process when you’ve got a nasty sunburn. We recommend a dilution of 1% on the face and up to 3% for other areas of the body.
Lavender is a soothing and gentle skincare favorite, especially for skin that is irritated and dry. To help care for all-over dryness, add 9 drops of Lavender to half an ounce of Almond Carrier Oil and apply to your entire body (excluding the face, which we recommend a 1% dilution) or massage onto specific areas of concern. And don’t forget to check out our 10 Ways to Use Lavender Essential Oil blog for even more ways to use this amazing oil!
Don’t forget about our Organic Healing Balm!
We’ve taken our popular Organic Healing Balm and made it even better! Made with soothing natural ingredients, this wonderful balm moisturizes, relieves dry and irritated skin, and leaves skin feeling silky and soft. Use the Original, which does not include an essential oil blend, or try one of our newbies, featuring the blends of Silky Soft, Sniffle Stopper, and Better Than Kisses.
For more ideas about the best products to use for dry skin and tons of great tips, make sure to check out our blog 8 Practical Tips for Healthy, Glowing Winter Skin.
And don’t forget to visit our Safe Essential Oil Recipes Facebook group for even more oily goodness!
