There are many natural ingredients that can be used to help make a difference to dry skin conditions like Eczema, Psoriasis and Dermatitis.
Here is my list of top ten ingredients that I have found the most useful in treating my children’s dry skin conditions.
- Shea Butter
- Coconut oil
- Calendula oil
- Aloe Vera
- Lavender
- Chamomile
- Glycerine
- Oatmeal
- Bees wax
- Dead Sea salt
So why are these ingredients in my top 10?
1. Shea Butter
This ingredient contains vitamins A, E and F, as well as fatty acids and nutrients that are beneficial for moisturising, nourishing and protecting the skin. The anti-oxidants contained help to reduce inflammation and skin damage caused by free radicals. Emollient and humectant properties help to lock in moisture and keep the skin hydrated for longer - making it an excellent ingredient for treating eczema, dermatitis and other dry skin conditions.
2. Coconut Oil
This delicious smelling fruit contains Vitamin E, amino acids, Lauric acid and caprylic acid which helps to form a protective barrier on the skin. The saturated fats contained help the skin to stay moisturised and prevent moisture loss. Anti-bacterial, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties make it excellent at helping to heal and soothe dry skin conditions.
3. Calendula Oil
This oil is extracted from the marigold flower and is usually infused into a carrier oil. It contains anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties which make it a wonderful ingredient for healing, rejuvenating and soothing the skin. This oil contains a large amount of fatty acids and Vitamins.
4. Aloe Vera
This succulent plant is very commonly used to treat many skin disorders. It contains anti-inflammatory properties which help to soothe and calm irritated skin. It is rich in Vitamins A, B, B12, C, E and folic acid. It helps to moisturise and hydrate the skin.
5. Lavender
This beautifully scented herb is great for dry skin as it helps to balance sebum production. It is anti-inflammatory, so will help to soothe dry, itchy skin. The antiseptic properties help the skin to heal faster and the anti-oxidants contained help to fight harmful effects on the skin caused by the environment.
6. Chamomile
This daisy-like herb helps to hydrate and moisturise the skin. It aids the skin’s healing process by repairing, regenerating and strengthening the skin cells. Chamomile is also anti-inflammatory so it helps to soothe itchy skin and reduce redness.
7. Vegetable Glycerine
This ingredient is a humectant which attracts and absorbs water from the air and locks in the moisture. This helps to minimise water loss from the skin and keeps it well nourished. Glycerine improves the skin barrier function and keeps harmful elements out, while helping to improve dry skin conditions.
8. Oatmeal
This nutrient rich breakfast is not only great for the inside of your body, but also has may wonderful benefits for treating and soothing your dry itchy skin. Oatmeal is rich in anti-oxidants and contains anti-inflammatory properties. It is a gentle cleanser and exfoliant which helps to remove dead skin cells and moisturise the skin. The beta glucan contained forms a film which helps to moisturise and protect the skin from the environment.
9. Beeswax
This wax from honey bees is rich in Vitamin A which helps to exfoliate and rejuvenate the skin.It helps to soften and soothe dry, irritated skin by forming a layer to protect it from the environment and to hold in moisture.This lovely wax is anti-allergic and is packed with vitamins and fatty acids which help to restore the skin.
10. Dead Sea Salt
This salt from the Dead Sea is rich in minerals that help to heal, soothe, moisturise, exfoliate and detoxify the body and skin. These minerals include Magnesium, Calcium, Sulphur, Bromide, Potassium, Sodium and Zinc.The disinfectant properties help to keep the skin clean and clear. This salt also helps to improve the skin’s lipid barrier.
If you are looking for products with some of these ingredients, my Body Butters contains Shea butter and coconut oil and my Chamomile Balm contains Shea butter, coconut oil, aloe extract, calendula oil, bees wax and chamomile. My bath salts contain Dead Sea salt, lavender and chamomile
My future products will contain some of the other ingredients mentioned, so look out for them early next year.
Here are some other ingredients that I have recently started using, because I have heard about there effectiveness for treating dry skin conditions:
Avocado oil
Neem oil
Black seed oil
Carrot seed oil
Tea tree oil
Honey
Do you have eczema or a dry skin?
What ingredients have you found the most effective for treating it?
Please leave a comment below and let me know if you found this information useful and please share it to help others.
Thank you for reading
Vanessa xx