Are you looking for a natural moisturizer to soothe your skin and restore hydration but are unsure what to buy? With so many skin care products on the market, we understand it can be difficult to find a product that works for you. Things are further complicated when looking for a natural beauty product, as unfortunately, it can be difficult to tell whether a product is truly clean or not. This is what makes reading labels and doing your due diligence so crucial.
It’s also important to consider that everyone’s skin is different. What works for one person may not necessarily affect your skin in the same way. This makes it incredibly important to understand your body and your skin type. There are four different skin types: normal, oily, dry, and combination. The type of skin you have will affect the ingredients that work best for your skin and how you care for your skin. In this post, we’re going to focus on dry, sensitive skin and the best natural moisturizers to replenish hydration.
Dealing with Dry and Itchy Skin
Dealing with dry skin can be uncomfortable and irritating as it is often accompanied by itchiness. There are a few reasons why you may have dry skin. Some people are born with naturally dry skin while for others, dry skin can come and go depending on different conditions. For example, many people note that their skin becomes drier, and subsequently itchier, in the cold winter months when temperatures are cooler and humidity levels are lower. Water, particularly hot water, also plays a big role in drying out the skin. For this reason, people who work in jobs that consist of prolonged exposure to water are more likely to experience dry skin. These jobs can include nursing, catering, cooking, and even hairdressing.
Age is another factor. According to statistics, 50 percent of adults over 40 years old suffer from dry skin. This is because, as the body gets older, it naturally produces less oil. Finally, dry and itchy skin can be linked to pregnancy. When women are expecting, they are more prone to experience itchy skin because of all the hormone changes. In addition, as their skin stretches and adapts to accommodate the growing baby, it naturally loses elasticity and moisture. That’s why the prime spot for itchiness and dryness tends to be the stomach area. However, itchiness can also be experienced anywhere on the body, including the arms, legs, and breasts.
Understanding Different Types of Moisturizer
Understanding different types of moisturizers and how they work can help you make better decisions for your body and skin. Let’s begin by stating the obvious: not all moisturizers are created equal. This is why you may have noticed a bad reaction or experienced a rash or increased irritation after trying a particular moisturizer. For this reason, we recommend you always do a patch test first when trying out a new brand. This is so important, especially when trying out a new moisturizer for your face.
Here’s what you need to know about the different types of moisturizers: they can be categorized into three different types. We know these types as creams, ointments, and lotions. They are categorized based on the amount of oil and water they contain. For people who suffer from dry skin, it’s best to choose a moisturizer that has high oil content. The more oil a moisturizer contains, the better it is at hydrating the skin. While some people do not like how ‘greasy’ some oil-heavy moisturizers may feel, they are very effective at locking in moisture and replenishing hydration.
Out of the three different types of moisturizers, ointments have the highest oil content. So if you suffer from a chronically dry skin condition like eczema or psoriasis, we recommend picking an ointment for your skin. It will do a much better job at preventing water loss and replenishing lost moisture to your skin.
After ointments, the second highest amount of oil content can be found in creams. This makes cream a better choice than lotion. In fact, creams tend to be quite popular as they are also less greasy to the touch. One thing to watch out for, however, is that some creams contain preservatives or stabilizers, which those with sensitive skin may find irritating.
Finally, out of the three different types of moisturizers, lotions contain the least amount of oil. Water is the main ingredient which tends to evaporate quickly. This decreases the hydrating effect of lotions and makes them the least effective solution for those with dry skin.
Why You Should Use Organic Products
To put it simply, clean beauty products are better for your skin health and for our precious planet. That’s because clean beauty celebrates organic products that use wholesome and safe ingredients. These ingredients work in harmony with your skin and don’t contain any cheap fillers or toxic chemicals. They also don’t contain any mystery ingredients: labels are transparent and you know exactly what you’re putting on your body for your skin to absorb. This will lead to a healthier, more radiant complexion.
As well, because fewer toxins and chemicals are being used in the production process, our ecosystems remain protected. This is great news for our planet and for all the animals, people, and nature that call it home. Sadly, so many manufacturing processes are careless and dangerous. Many beauty products are made without considering the negative side effects these procedures will have on our environment. Fortunately, clean beauty holds companies accountable for their ethical standards, safety regulations, and manufacturing processes. This is a huge win for our earth.
Lastly, you can trust clean beauty products to be GMO-free and are cruelty free. All in all, clean beauty is a step in the right direction. It’s great to see that more and more skin care companies are embracing the values of clean beauty and recognizing the importance of this movement. When you choose to shop clean beauty, you are choosing to put the well-being of your body and our earth first. You may feel like your choice doesn’t make a difference in the grand scheme of things, but we want to assure you that it does. Being a conscious consumer matters. Your choice truly makes a difference.
The Importance of Reading Labels
We mentioned this briefly before, but it’s so important that we’re saying it again: reading labels is so important when skin care shopping. We know that it requires more effort on your part but the benefits in the long run will be worth it. Of course, we understand that it can be difficult to know what exactly you’re looking for. Our general rule of thumb is that if you can’t pronounce the name of the ingredient, it probably isn’t great for your skin. Some examples of harmful ingredients that are common culprits for causing bad reactions or igniting flare ups include parabens, phthalates, petrolatum, p-phenylenediamine (PPD) and artificial fragrances.Not only are these ingredients damaging to our earth if they find their way back into our ecosystems, but they can also negatively affect your skin by interfering with hormone functioning or increasing the risk of developing cancer and other diseases. As well, they can be particularly irritating for those with skin conditions or sensitive skin.
Natural Ingredients to Look Out For
There are so many organic ingredients that have amazing moisturizing qualities. Let’s start with aloe vera. You may know this powerful plant for helping combat the painful effects of a sunburn, but it can do so much more. In fact, the gel from its leaves contains over 75 different nutrients. We love aloe vera because of its ability to provide a much-needed boost of moisture to dry and flaky skin. Its hydrating qualities make it a favorite amongst people who suffer from dry skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. It’s no wonder humans have been using this natural moisturizer for centuries to treat a variety of dermal issues.
Coconut oil is another natural healing agent that is renowned for its moisturizing qualities. It’s ability to quickly penetrate the skin and provide a boost of moisture is thanks to a fat called medium-chain triglycerides.This makes it super helpful in combating dry skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis. To benefit from the hydrating effects of coconut oil, we recommend relaxing in a coconut oil bath. You can also take advantage of our Coconut and Sunflower Oil Bar. This organic and cleansing soap bar is made with coconut oil, sunflower oil, and shea butter. It’s sure to leave the skin feeling soft and smooth. Because it’s such a gentle remedy, you can use it anywhere on the body, including the face and hair. Best of all, it’s safe to use for both babies and adults alike.
Another one of our favorite organic ingredients to add to the list is colloidal oatmeal. This is finely ground oatmeal that can easily be dissolved in water. It’s a great organic ingredient to add to your home spa routine. Many people who suffer from dry and flaky skin enjoy taking colloidal oatmeal baths because the beta-glucans found in the oatmeal helps relieve itchiness. As well, this organic ingredient can help improve skin roughness and reduce flakiness. To benefit from a colloidal oatmeal bath, simply grind 2-3 cups of colloidal oatmeal into a food processor or coffee grinder and add this to the water as your tub is filling.
Lastly, one of the best organic ingredients for dry and itchy skin is honey. In fact, honey is an organic superpower. In particular, we are in love with Manuka honey. Native to New Zealand, manuka honey differs from regular forms of honey because of a unique compound known as Methylglyoxal. It contains 1,000x more Methylglyoxal than regular forms of honey which gives it its powerful healing properties. We love honey because it’s a natural moisturizer. Many people use honey to restore hydration to their dry and flaky skin or to find relief from itchy skin conditions. Not only that, but honey is an organic ingredient that also gives your skin a natural glow. What’s not to love?
Try this Oil-Based Balm for the Face
We could be remiss if we did not mention our beloved Organic Manuka Skin Soothing Cream when talking about organic products for the skin. This 100% organic cream is made with all-natural ingredients: organic olive oil, organic beeswax, filtered water, grape seed oil, organic Active 16+ New Zealand Manuka honey, and manuka oil extract. It’s an oil-based balm with a soft, buttery texture that your skin will love. Because it’s made with natural ingredients, it’s safe and effective for both adults and kids. Feel free to use this gentle cream anywhere on the body, including eyes, lips, and hair. If you’re interested in this cream and the Coconut and Sunflower Oil Soap bar mentioned above, check out our Body Care Essentials Bundle.
Home-Remedies to Give a Try
To enhance the effectiveness of the cream, why not try wet wrap therapy? This is a simple at home-treatment. Simply apply the cream to the area you need it most, cover it with a wet piece of clothing, and then add a dry layer over top. This allows the emollient to better permeate the skin. Be sure to leave the wraps on overnight or for a minimum of 2 hours. We recommend our TENCEL and zinc-embedded clothing such as these Remedywear™ shirts for adults and kids and pants for adults and kids.
