Dry skin can be a result of many factors. Usually we experience dry skin in the cold winter months when there is lower humidity. Central air and heating can also contribute to decreased humidity levels. Other causes include excess sun exposure, vitamin deficiencies, overuse of harsh soaps and lack of moisturizing. Regardless of the cause, dry skin occurs when your skin’s natural oil (sebum) is stripped away and moisture escapes.

To combat dryness the key is to moisturize and replenish your skin’s oil to combat the loss of moisture. Petroleum jelly or mineral oil work very well as a moisturizer, yet their purity and safety are very controversial and have been shown to have carcinogenic effects.  Virtually any vegetable oil can also be used to safely prevent dry skin. They are effective, safe and inexpensive. However, all of them are greasy, which is a feeling not everyone likes. Below you will find some great tips on how to use natural ingredients from your pantry to prevent dry skin, and not all will leave you feeling greasy.

Say goodbye to dry skin with these 5 natural remedies for dry skin:

Olive Oil Cleanser

A great natural oil to use is extra-virgin olive oil, which works as a natural cleanser and moisturizer.  It works wonders on hands and elbows, and soothes and conditions itchy, dry skin. You can dab a thin layer under your moisturizer for a little added antioxidants, or even rub the oil into your skin and drape a warm, damp cloth over your face until it cools, then wipe away the excess oil.

Sweeten Your Skin with Honey

Dating back 1,000s of years, honey is a time-tested cure for dry skin and chapped or cracked lips. Before taking a bath, rub some honey on your body and leave it on for 5-10 minutes. Or, apply a little honey to your lips before going to bed and wake up to smooth, moist lips. Another trick is to do the same but on your heels or elbows, and the natural moisturizing effects of honey will prove effective.

Treat your Skin from the Inside Out

Keeping hydrated with plenty of water is a great start to alleviating dry skin. 8-10 glasses of water a day should do the trick, but if you are normally hydrated, you cannot possibly counteract or correct dry skin by drinking water alone.

Your diet can also play a large role in the appearance and condition of your skin. Ideally, you want a diet rich in essential fatty acids, vitamin C, magnesium and beta-carotene. Consuming salmon and other fatty fish, plus dark chocolate, oranges and carrots can help improve dry skin.

Mask Yourself in Avocado

Try creating a mask of avocado to naturally sooth your dry skin. Puree half an avocado and mix in a teaspoon of olive oil or add a tablespoon of honey. Apply the mask to your face, and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes, then wash it off.  Your skin should feel fresh and moisturized, but if not, as an extra measure finish the process by applying your regular moisturizer.

Soak in the Oats

A 15 minute soak in a lukewarm bath can help hydrate your skin. Add a cup of oatmeal to the bath and you will feel the soothing, hydrating effects immediately. The nutrients from the oats, combined with the warm, not hot water, help the skin retain moisture.

Follow each bath, whether you use oats or not, with a moisturizer, especially if you bathe frequently. If not, all the moisture that soaked into the skin during the bath can evaporate.  When drying yourself off after a bath or shower try to leave the skin damp. Moisturizers are more effective on damp skin opposed to totally dry skin.

Derived from leaf and bark extract of the African Anogeissus tree, the newly discovered natural active ingredient is apparently the driving force behind the product’s inherent strength.  Origins claims to sustainably harvest the tree in Ghana which provides the new star ingredient. Traditionally, Anogeissus extract is used in Ghana as an anti-microbial and for healing wounds. Plantscription also includes siegesbeckia to help support collagen, rosemary extract to help support elastin and vitamin C and peptides to support natural collagen and elastin production.

Origins performed clinical trials and found Plantscriptions to produce comparable performance to that of the topical prescription ingredient retinoic acid, including 88% of its firming, wrinkle improvement and smoothing power, but without the irritation and reddening side effects.

“This revolutionary, patent pending anti-ageing serum is proven to help support skin’s natural fibrillin, its critical elastic fibre, and in doing so has trumped all our benchmarks,” says Lynn Mazzella, senior vice president, Origins product development.

Both immediate and long-term effects were reported in a 20-week study on women aged 42-63. After just four weeks’ use Planscription showed up to a 51% reduction in the appearance of lines and wrinkles. After 12 weeks it showed up to 57% reduction of the overall appearance of lines and wrinkles, up to 64% improvement in visible skin lifting and up to 41% improvement in skin firmness.

U.S. Origins stores like Macy’s, Dillard’s, Bon-Ton and Belk will sell 30-mL vials at $55 retail.

Nude is a biocompatible luxury skin care line using high performance bio-available ingredients which are said to deliver exceptional skin care results. Nude recently launched Advanced Cellular Renewal Serum and a Cleansing Facial Oil, both which have performed very well and have set the natural performance benchmark for anti-ageing skin care.

“We believe Nude will be a global luxury skin care brand and are excited to work with Ali, Bryan and the team that they have built,” commented Antonio Belloni, group managing director of LVMH.

Nude bases their product development on the following:

Probiotic Technology
NUDE’s Probiotic Technology is used to optimize how the skin looks and functions at a cellular level, helping repair cellular damage and stimulate cellular renewal.

Biocompatible Formulas
NUDE uses natural high performance, bio-available ingredients the body can recognize to deliver anti-ageing results.

The NUDE range is free from Parabens, Sulphates, PEGs, TEAs, DEAs, Propylene Glycol, Phthalates, GMOs, Mineral Oils and Silicones.

Nude Skincare will continue to be based in London. LVMH Perfumes & Cosmetics, will work with Nude on behalf of LVMH as they do for Benefit and Make Up For Ever.

For instance, magnesium helps to regulate the activity of more than 325 enzymes and performs a vital role in orchestrating many bodily functions, from muscle control and electrical impulses to energy production and the elimination of harmful toxins.  However, The National Academy of Sciences reported that most Americans are magnesium deficient, which can be a factor of heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, arthritis and many more ailments.

In order to help Americans and everyone live a healthier lifestyle, Natural Cosmetic News has compiled a list of 10 Ways to Use Epsom Salts and Improve your Health & Beauty. And here are just some of the benefits you may start to experience: softer skin, ease stress, lower blood pressure, raise energy levels, help prevent blood clots, relieve pain, flush out toxins and help prevent migraine headaches.

You may ask yourself how all those benefits are possible from one mineral compound. Well, when magnesium sulfate is absorbed through the skin, such as in a bath, it draws toxins from the body, sedates the nervous system, reduces swelling, relaxes muscles, exfoliates the skin, and much more.

Here are some easy ways you can begin using Epsom salts in your health and beauty routine:

Relaxing & stress relieving bath: Add 2 cups of Epsom salt to warm water in a bathtub.

Foot soak: Add 1/2 cup of Epsom salt to a basin of warm water. Relax and soak feet for 20 minutes. Soothes achy feet, removes odor and softens rough skin.

Soak sprains and bruises: Add 2 cups Epsom salt per gallon of water to a warm bath, and soak.  Bath 3 times per week soaking for at least 12 minutes.  The bath will help reduce the pain and swelling of sprains and bruises.

Splinter remover: Soak affected area in Epsom salt and it will draw out the splinter. Use 2 cups of Epsom salt per 1 Gallon of water.

Face cleaner: Use for nightly face cleanser. Mix ½ teaspoon with your normal cleansing cream. Massage the cream into your skin and rinse with cold water.

Homemade skin mask: Apply the mask to damp skin. For normal to oily skin, mix 1 tablespoon of cognac, 1 egg, 1/4 cup of non-fat dry milk, the juice of 1 lemon, and a half-teaspoon of epsom salt. For normal to dry skin, mix 1/4 cup of grated carrot, 1 1/2 teaspoons of mayonnaise and a half-teaspoon of Epsom salt.

Skin exfoliator: Massage handfuls of Epsom salt over your wet skin in the shower or bath to exfoliate and soften. Rinse thoroughly.

Remove excess oil from hair: Epsom salt soaks up excess oil from hair. Add 9 tablespoons of Epsom salt to 1/2 cup of oily hair shampoo. Apply one tablespoon of the liquid to your hair when it is dry; rinse with cold water. Pour lemon juice or organic apple cider vinegar through the hair, leave on for 5-10 minutes, and then rinse.

Remove hairspray: Combine 1 gallon of water, 1 cup of lemon juice, and 1 cup Epsom salt. Combine, cover and let set for 24 hours. The next day, pour the mixture into your dry hair and let it sit for 20 minutes. Then shampoo as normal.

Hair volumizer: Combine equal parts of deep conditioner and Epsom salt. Warm in a pan. Work the warm mixture through your hair and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse.

For more information visit the Espom Salt Council.

I am happy to see a personal care product giant like Johnson’s become eco-friendly and put the consumers’ best interests first.  The products contain neither Parabens nor phthalates and use of 60% post-consumer recycled packaging.

The new line of products, including lotion, foaming wash and shampoo, claim to contain only ingredients that meet or exceed the guidelines set forth by the Natural Products Association, yet none are certified by the association.

The line consists of five product offerings for moms with children of varying ages:  JOHNSON’S® NATURAL™ HEAD-TO-TOE™ Foaming Baby Wash, JOHNSON’S® NATURAL™ Baby Shampoo, JOHNSON’S® NATURAL™ Baby Lotion, JOHNSON’S® NATURAL™ Kids 2-in-1 Kids Hand & Face Foaming Wash, and JOHNSON’S® NATURAL™ Kids 3-in-1 Shampoo, Conditioner & Body Wash.

To coincide with the launch of the new line, JOHNSON’S® is introducing a new micro site, www.johnsonsnatural.com, where moms can get information about the products and ingredients, receive coupons and view a new video series.

The new JOHNSON’S® NATURAL™ product line is now available across the US at food, drug and mass retail stores, and has suggested retail prices that range from $4.59 for 9 oz. to $6.49 for 18 oz.

Apples

Not many know this, but apples have a lot of vitamin C, which has been shown to protect and repair skin cells. Apples can be a good conditioner and toner, and surprisingly aren’t more popular in beauty products.

Bananas

Have you ever considered placing bananas on your face?  Well, maybe now you will. Yep, mashed banana is moisturizing, calming and soothing–and can be mixed with oatmeal and honey for a face mask. Another trick is to use the banana to tame dry, curly hair.

Vanilla

Whether in extract, bean or absolute form, vanilla provides a fresh, clean fragrance to any skin or beauty product. It also helps skin, hair and lips retain moisture.

Oats

Oatmeal may not be your favorite breakfast, but your skin sure will sure appreciate it. Oats are great for softening and healing dry, itchy skin. A possible home remedy is to toss oats and some powdered milk into the tub for a luxurious and soothing soak.

Tomatoes

This salad bar staple is a great source of lycopene, which is a powerful antioxidant.

Lemons

Lemons can be used to fight dandruff when mixed with olive oil and rubbed into hair 15 minutes before normal shampooing. Citrus fruits such as lemons also are great for waking up the skin. Just be careful not to use too much to avoid drying out skin.

Almonds

There is nothing nutty about almonds. When crushed into a soft, coarse powder, almonds are regularly added to lotions and moisturizers to help exfoliate and improve skin complexion.

So, here is a great starting point for making your own natural cosmetics.  Let us know if you have any other natural home remedies you use to help your skin looking beautiful.  And of course, as always, we welcome your comments, as we want to hear from everyone who has tried any of the above mentioned natural ingredients as cosmetics.

PURITY ORGANIC SKINCARE

This is a company which is Ecocert certified. They preferred to go through their rigorous certification process to ensure that their customers are exposed to the best organic products. Purity is 98% natural and 82% organic. The products manufactured under Purity’s name are free of all chemical and toxic ingredients and additives that could harm you. Because Ecocert is internationally known and has been certifying products for years, Purity is a brand you can trust.

L’ARTISAN PARFUMEUR

This company manufactures green, eco-conscious scents. Their first scent, Jatamansi (HImalayan NArd), exceeded certification standers when it obtained its 100% natural and organic certification from Ecocert and Cosmebio. Now with their second scent Côte d’Amour , which references the coast is also Ecocert andCosmebio Certified.

NATURELLE D’ARGAN

This is an organic and ethical skin care range, which uses Moroccan argan oil, which is rich in nutrients for the skin, vitamin E ad other anti-oxidants. Naturelle D’Argan has 4 face and 3 body skin care products, including an original exfoliating cleansing gel made of finely ground Argan seeds and apricot kernel. The argan oil is Cosmebio. It guarantees a minimum of 95% natural ingredients and 10% of bio ingredients.

KAE COSMETICS

These products contain Argan oil. Its ingredients are 100% pure and organic without any additives, conservatives or chemical components. Kae products are Cosmebio and Ecocert certified. Kae manufactures products for hair, face and body.

L’UVALLA

They are fully dedicated to providing the highest level of organic purity and accountability. Their products are Ecocert Cosmebio labeled. L’uvalla guarantees quality standards. They offer products such as hydrating mil cleanser age-defying cream, gentle foaming cleanser, sunscreen and anti-wrinkle cream.