Discover the Best Natural Moisturizers for Healing Dry, Irritated Facial Skin
Dealing with tight, flaky and irritated facial skin in winter? Harsh weather plus indoor heat create the perfect dry skin storm. Before relying on chemical-laden moisturizers, explore kinder natural options first.
Nature provides gentle and effective alternatives to hydrate thirsty complexions using plant oils, butters and extracts. This article shares the 13 best natural moisturizers for your face along with recipes and tips to say goodbye to dryness!
Causes and Symptoms of Facial Skin Dehydration
Understanding what makes facial skin parched sets the stage for solutions. Causes include:
- Exposure to cold, dry air outdoors and artificially heated indoor environments
- Very hot or cold showers/baths leaching moisture
- Harsh cleansers stripping protective sebum
- Not drinking enough fluids daily
- Nutrient deficiencies like omegas and certain vitamins
- Some medications have drying side effects
- Aging slowing skins natural oil production
Symptoms involve tight, flaky and even cracked skin that may redden, itch and feel uncomfortably rough. Delicate facial skin deserves pampering relief when experiencing these hydration issues.
Problems with Conventional Moisturizers
Traditional cream and lotion style face moisturizers rely heavily on mineral oil, paraffins, petrolatum and silicones to seal water into skin. However, these moisture-barrier ingredients are problematic for some people.
Potential issues with using conventional moisturizer products include:
- Pore-clogging potential leading to breakouts
- Allergic reactions to artificial fragrances, preservatives and dyes
- Skin becoming dependent on added hydration from not producing its own oils properly
13 Best All Natural Moisturizers for Your Face
Luckily there are so many natural ingredients that excel at soothing, hydrating and protecting dry complexions gently.
From the kitchen to full facial recipes, here are the top 13 natural moisturizers to try:
1. Plant-Based Oils
Cold pressed seed and nut oils provide essential fatty acids critical for maintaining plump, supple skin. Light hydrators like jojoba, grapeseed or hemp absorb fast without clogging pores. Richer options include coconut, avocado, meadowfoam seed and olive oil.
2. Plant Butters
Intensely emollient cocoa, mango, shea, kokum or aloe butters easily melt into skin carrying vitamins and hydration deeper than oils alone can reach. Whip with facial oils or apply carefully to avoid heaviness.
3. Honey
Raw honey bears natural antibacterial and humectant properties to foster healthy, hydrated skin. It locks in moisture, speeds healing of damage and makes an ultra-soothing mask mixed with oats.
4. Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera gel contains polysaccharides and glycoproteins which deeply hydrate skin for healing burns, eczema, acne and reducing wrinkles. Keep living plants or pure gels extracted without harsh chemicals handy.
5. Witch Hazel
An astringent yet hydrating toner made from witch hazel bush bark/leaves helps remedy acne, puffy eyes and skin inflammation. It balances oil production for healthier, plumper looking skin naturally.
6. Rose Water
Gentle floral rose water not only feels and smells divine but also tones, nourishes and hydrates skin beautifully. It makes an amazing vitamin-rich facial mist using just roses and purified water too.
7. Sea Salt
Mineral-dense sea salts detoxify skin by drawing out impurities without stripping natural oils. Use fine varieties blended into face scrub recipes or add to baths to rehydrate parched complexions.
8. Manuka Honey
Hailing from New Zealand, this exclusive honey bears extra anti-inflammatory and regenerative compounds. Try in cleansers, masks and spot treatments to soothe irritated skin holistically.
9. Marula Oil
An African oil extremely high in antioxidants and oleic acid, marula oil absorbs rapidly while smoothing fine lines and protecting against environmental damage leading to dryness.
10. Glycerin
A byproduct of soapmaking using plant oils, glycerin is an outstanding natural humectant that pulls moisture into the outer skin layers for serious hydration.
11. Avocado
Creamy avocado fruit nourishes and locks precious moisture into skin thanks to omega fatty acids and vitamins C, D & E. Enjoy in masks and hair treatments too!
12. Jojoba Beads
Tiny spheres made from jojoba wax offer gentle skin polishing blended into exfoliating cleansers and scrubs. They buff away dry flakes without irritating like plastic microbeads.
13. Essential Oils
Many essential oils bear hydrating and therapeutic benefits for dry skin in tiny doses. Dilute healing picks like geranium, rose, sandalwood or neroli well and avoid phototoxic varieties.
5 Homemade Natural Face Moisturizer Recipes
While the ingredients themselves pack a nourishing punch, mixing your own custom facial creams and serums lets you control the formula for your unique needs.
Try out these 5 homemade natural moisturizer recipes to heal dry face skin:
Soothing Face Cream
Blend aloe vera gel, coconut oil, shea butter and jojoba oil with frankincense essential oil for deep, fast relief.
Hydrating Facial Oil
Mix nutrient-dense oils like marula, pomegranate seed and sea buckthorn to replenish dry, dull looking skin.
Moisture-Magnet Mask
Stir a paste using manuka honey, yogurt, avocado, oats, rose water and glycerin to pull hydration into thirsty skin.
Pore-Reducing Toner
Combine witch hazel, raw apple cider vinegar and orange blossom hydrosol to tighten pores and balance moisture levels.
Overnight Rejuvenating Balm
Melt shea and cocoa butters with hemp seed and jojoba oils, then mix in vitamin E oil and essential oils like lavender.
Tips for Combatting Facial Skin Dryness Year-Round
In addition to finding the right natural moisturizer for your face type, be proactive against dehydration and irritation using these simple tips:
- Avoid super hot showers/baths and keep indoor heat moderate
- Humidify bedroom air at night during dry seasons
- Gently cleanse skin just once or twice daily using mild non-foaming cleansers
- Exfoliate skin weekly with scrubs containing jojoba beads or soft washcloths
- Apply natural mineral sunscreen rated SPF 30+ when outdoors
- Eat more good fats from nuts, seeds, avocado and oily fish
- Drink at least 64 ounces of filtered water daily
- Try restoring gut health with probiotic foods to reduce skin inflammation
- Quit smoking to improve microcirculation to skin cells
- Destress often with relaxing bubble baths, meditation, yoga or walks outdoors
Give Your Complexion the Nourishment It Craves, Naturally
Don’t let delicate facial skin suffer dryness and irritation another day! With so many nourishing plant-derived ingredients and homemade recipes to try, hydration help is close at hand.
Gently cleanse then pamper your complexion daily with these natural hydrators. Avoid alcohol, fragrance and harsh chemicals found in traditional moisturizers.
With a little TLC using these organic options, expect smooth, comfortable, resilient skin ahead!
FAQs
What household ingredients make good natural face moisturizers?
Great ingredients to use from your kitchen include plant oils like coconut, olive or jojoba, thick butters like shea or cocoa, honey, aloe vera gel, sea salt and avocados.
Is coconut oil good for moisturizing dry facial skin?
Yes, extra virgin coconut oil absorbs well to hydrate skin without clogging pores. Use sparingly to avoid heaviness. Best for very dry areas like hands and feet.
Should I exfoliate flaky, dry facial skin?
Gentle exfoliation once a week helps buff away dead skin cells to reveal fresh new ones and better absorb moisture. Use soft washcloths or scrubs with jojoba beads.
What essential oils make good natural moisturizers?
Some great essential oils for dry skin include lavender, geranium, rose, sandalwood, carrot seed, helichrysum and Roman chamomile. Always dilute in a carrier oil before applying to skin!
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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