Dry Skin: Can Natural Wellness Products Help?

What are the common causes of dry skin?

What’s more bothersome than itching, flaking, irritated or peeling dry skin? Affecting both the skin on our faces and the skin on our bodies, it’s often seemingly brought on by very little but can linger in our lives for longer than we’d like. So what are the common causes of dry skin?

It’s important to remember that some people are more susceptible to dry skin than others, and a lot of this may have to do with everything from diet and skin care habits to genetics and preexisting conditions. Some of the common culprits of dry skin can include colder weather and conversely drier air that is typically experienced indoors, overwashing the skin, particularly if you’re using products with harsh ingredients like alcohol and artificial fragrances, spending too much unprotected time in direct sunlight and skin conditions like dermatitis and psoriasis.

Can natural wellness products help alleviate dry skin?

When considering products to help treat dry skin like soaps, lotions and body butters, it’s important to choose products that are free of known common irritants that can exacerbate symptoms and flare ups. In cosmetic products, these may include isopropyl alcohol which many people experience as stripping or dehydrating to the skin, SLS/SLES, commonly used as foaming agents, salicylic acid, frequently used in products for blemish prone skin and anything that might be labelled as ‘astringent’ as it can be too harsh for certain skin types.

Choosing natural wellness products can help alleviate dry skin, particularly when you choose products that are made from plant-based and nature-derived ingredients and are mindful of avoiding common irritants.

Facial products for dry skin

We’re big skin care fans here at Saje and we know all too well that dry skin is a relatively common skin concern that affects many people. However it’s caused, we know that some of the ways you can minimize dry skin on the face we touched on earlier - not overwashing and not washing with products containing irritating ingredients. Most skin care experts recommend washing your face with a gentle cleanser in the morning, particularly if you’ve done a thorough cleanse and skin care routine the night before that may have included removing makeup. Some people prefer to use separate products for their daytime and nighttime skin care routines, with products for deeper hydration being used in the evening. To help ease dry skin on the face, here are two of our go-to products:

Rose Mist: rose is known for its deeply nourishing and quenching properties. Many people find that rose is soothing and able to ease the symptoms of dry skin like peeling or flaking, and that it does so while feeling refreshing on the skin and smelling heavenly. After cleansing and anytime throughout the day that you need a pick-me-up, generously spritz rose mist over the hair, face and body and breathe deeply.

Rejuvenating Elixir: this nourishing skin serum was formulated to help restore radiance and to replenish moisture in skin that has lost its sparkle. The most deeply hydrating of our three facial elixirs, Rejuvenating is a combination of balancing, restorative carrier oils like evening primrose, apricot kernel and rosehip oils alongside skin-supporting essential oils like rose, neroli and sandalwood. Using the fingertips, gently press 3-4 drops of elixir into the skin as the final step in your skin care routine each night.

Body care products for dry skin

The skin on our body is just as, if not more, susceptible to dryness than the skin on our face. People frequently experience dry skin on areas of the body that tend to have more exposure to the elements like the arms, legs, back of neck and chest. One of the ways to combat dry skin is to use a lotion or body butter every time you bathe or shower, to ensure you’re replenishing moisture that is lost through the process. Ensure you’re using soaps or body washes that are free from the irritating ingredients we mentioned earlier, and follow up with a body hydrator each time for best results. Two of our recommendations are as follows:

Lavender & Friends body lotion: relax into moisturized skin and a tranquil mind with this lavender-filled, soothing lotion. Skin’s natural moisture balance is restored with aloe while you settle the skin with the calming influence of lavender and geranium. Apply liberally to the body to hydrate, preferably when skin is still damp to help draw moisture in deeper and relieve itchiness due to dryness.

Carrot body butter: this luxurious and emollient-rich body butter will help support your skin’s natural renewal process. Formulated with skin softening base ingredients like cocoa seed, mango seed and shea butters, Carrot body butter also includes renewing essential oils of antioxidant rich carrot and replenishing patchouli and geranium. Use daily after bathing to keep skin glowing and hydrated, especially after spending time in the sun.

Accessories you can use to ease dry skin

Another way to keep your skin free from dryness is to invest in a few skin care accessories to help keep your face and body gently exfoliated and ready to receive moisture. Allowing the skin cells to shed naturally and begin their renewal process is an important part of maintaining healthy skin overall, so ensuring you’re never using harsh or abrasive products or ingredients to exfoliate either the face or body is imperative. We’re big fans of the following face and body care accessories:

For the face: Our Yam Konjac Sponge is our daily go-to when it comes to gentle and effective exfoliation and cleansing. Made from 100% natural vegetal fibers, this sponge has been infused with yam extract that’s been enriched with amino acids, vitamins and minerals. Thoroughly wetting the sponge before each use allows it to become buttery soft; gently buffing and massaging the face in a circular motion helps to slough off any dead, dry skin cells and helps improve the overall appearance of your skin tone.

For the body: We reach for our In The Buff natural bristle dry brush when we’re looking to give our body a boost. Dry brushing is a simple, natural way to exfoliate and revitalize your skin. Natural sisal bristles from the agave plant help remove dull, surface skin cells and support your body’s natural revitalization processes for soft, smooth skin. Dry brushing can be done daily, preferably in the morning. Start by standing in your bath or shower, then gently brush skin in an upward motion toward the heart, starting at the feet and hands and brushing upwards, being careful to avoid delicate skin on the face, neck and chest areas.

Lifestyle tips and tricks to treat and prevent dry skin

In many cases, treating and preventing dry skin starts on the inside. So much of what we put into our body has an effect on how our skin appears on the outside of our body. Here are some tried and true lifestyle tips for keeping your skin feeling smooth and supple:

1. Start with the simplest of all recommendations, staying hydrated. Our bodies are made up of about 70% water and it stands to reason that drinking enough water each day is a major factor in keeping our skin hydrated and free from dryness. Keep in mind that beverages like coffee and energy drinks can be water depleting, so ensure you’re getting enough clean, cool water each day.
2. Don’t skip moisturizer. Tempting as it may be to cut corners on our skin care routine or get dressed quickly after bathing or showering, consistently moisturizing the skin is a surefire way to prevent dry skin from creeping up. Applying lotion or body butter to your skin is like applying a sealant or a natural barrier to prevent moisture from escaping, so don’t skip slathering it on!
3. Eat a diet that is high in antioxidant rich foods like blueberries, tomatoes, carrots, beans, peas and lentils. Antioxidants can help prevent damage to your skin cells, helping improve the appearance of healthy, radiant skin.

—Jana Elston