It’s getting colder and colder as winter approaches! So, I thought I’d share an easy DIY guide to dry flaky facial skin with remedies that have worked for lots of people! Hope they help you too!
Anyone can suffer from dry flaky skin on face, whether it’s caused by the harsh weather, drying skin care products or simply lack of moisture and nourishment.
Your face is very sensitive and the most prone to flaky skin especially on dry cold days. Some skin types are characterized by both oily/acne prone and dry skin, also known as combination skin. Combination skin is the most common skin type which is characterized by flaky skin especially on the cheeks, with an oily T-zone.
To treat flaky skin naturally, you must nourish your skin cells through feeding them with natural ingredients to lock moisture. Ditch the drying chemical laden skin care lotions and moisturizers for skin repairing kitchen ingredients for healing dry peeling and flaky skin.
Listed below are some of the causes, symptoms and tested home remedies for dry flaky facial skin.
Causes of dry flaky facial skin
- Lack of moisture in skin cells
- Harsh winters or dry winds
- Drying skin care products like toners and moisturizers
- Makeup products
- Certain skin conditions and disorders
Symptoms of flaky skin
- Skin feeling rough and tough
- Peeling skin
- Itchy flaky skin
10 Easy & Effective Remedies for Dry Flaky Facial Skin in Winter
1. Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub
This is a tried and tested remedy by yours truly! It was a really cold and dry day, not even winter but the skin on my cheeks was dry and peeling. It was not only unpleasant to look at but also very itchy and irritating. I quickly made up one of my favorite scrubs made specially for those dry wintery days: coconut oil and sugar. I recommend using brown sugar as it is milder than white sugar and is great for those of you with super sensitive skin.
- Just mix 1 teaspoon of brown sugar with 2 to 5 drops of coconut oil and start scrubbing that onto clean dry your face for about two minutes. Remember to be gentle! Rubbing it too harsh will redden your face. When the time is up, rinse your face with tepid water and pat dry with a clean towel. Your face might feel a little oily but coconut oil will definitely sink into your face after a few minutes. Look at your face in the mirror: your skin will not only look supple and glowing but the peeling dead skin will be cleared right off!
Quick Tip: You can liquefy your coconut oil by popping the jar in a tub of hot water or just running the jar of coconut oil under the hot water tap.
2. Butter Face Mask
Butter face masks are amazing for flaky skin. Personally, I am a big fan of butter whether its in my food or on my face! Yes, during cold days when my skin is parched and flaky (especially the cheek area), I slather on some velvety butter onto my face and leave it on for some time. The end result is just so incredible. It softens and smoothens out your skin, removes dead cells and flaky skin as well as hydrates parched skin.
- To make a basic butter face mask, all you need is one teaspoon of unsalted butter. I actually make my own butter with grass fed organic milk! Make sure your face is clean and free from traces of dirt and makeup. Next, slather the soft butter onto your cheeks or the flaky areas. Let this butter face mask sit for 10 to 15 minutes. When the time is up, wash off with tepid water. Pat dry your face. Your skin might look a little shiny or feel greasy but trust me, after some time, the butter will sink in and your face will be supple and soft – free from flaky skin!
Quick tip: After rinsing off the butter face mask, soak a clean washcloth, wring and rest it on your face to soften the flaky skin.
3. Cream and Honey Mask
is full of healthy fat, contains calcium and Vitamin A. I usually just get some of the cream that collects on top of milk and whip up some fresh cream and honey for my face.
- Get one tablespoon of cream and one teaspoon of raw honey. Mix this very well until you get a creamy paste. Onto your clean face, apply the mask and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes. When the time is up, rinse with warm water first, to loosen the mask then use cold water. Pat dry with a towel. I don’t use soap to wash up after as it dries up my skin once again. I just leave the healthy fat of the cream to sink into my skin and keep it supple!
Quick Tip: You can use heavy cream for extra dry and parched skin.
4. Hydrating & Healing Avocado Mask
Avocado is a super food rich in important antioxidants and phytochemicals. This creamy food contains healthy fat and skin friendly vitamins such as b-vitamins and vitamin e that all lead to beautiful skin. The healthy fat in avocado will hydrate and lubricate your flaky skin and help nourish skin cells to promote supple skin.
- To make an effective beauty remedy for flaky skin on face, you just need two ingredients ; 1/4 a ripe small avocado and 1 teaspoon yogurt. Yogurt is also great for flaky skin – it contains lactic acid which helps in breaking down dead cells and flaky skin. Mash up the 1/4 section of a ripe avocado into a lump free paste. Add in 1 teaspoon of regular yogurt and mix well. Smear this onto your flaky skin and wait for 10 to 15 minutes. When the time is up, wash off with tepid water and pat dry with a clean towel. Apply a drop of olive oil to moisturize if necessary.
Quick Tip: Blend the avocado and honey in a small blender or Magic Bullet to get a smooth consistency for easier application.
5. Ice Cubes
I got this flaky skin remedy from my sister, who has a dry skin type and in winter, it gets even drier and very flaky. She loves moisturizing with coconut oil and adores the coconut oil sugar scrub but one of her treasured remedies for flaky skin on face is ice cubes! Using ice cubes on face will not only hydrate your skin cells but will also soothe itchy and inflamed dry skin. Simply wrap an ice cube in a hanky and start dabbing and wiping over your flaky skin. After this soothing remedy, moisturize with coconut oil.
Quick Tip: Remember to wrap your ice cube in a hanky or soft cloth before dabbing onto your face.
6. Banana Mask
Rich in potassium, vitamin e, vitamin A, B-vitamins and water, banana is an excellent skin hydrating and moisturizing beauty ingredient. The skin friendly nutrients in banana such as potassium help reduce dryness and solve dry skin by moisturizing and hydrating. The vitamins slow down aging, fight free radical damage and bolster’s the skin UV defense.
- To make a hydrating banana mask, you will need 1/2 a small banana, 1 teaspoon raw honey and 1 teaspoon yogurt. Mash the banana with the back of a fork until you get a gloopy consistency. Mix the ingredients thoroughly in a small bowl and evenly apply the mixture onto your face. Do not make it too drippy or there will be a mess. Wear an old t-shirt to prevent the mask from dripping all over. Wash off the mask after it dries. Wiping your face can bring back the dryness and flaky skin so make sure u gently pat dry with a soft towel.
Quick Tip: Don’t tug on banana lumps that have hardened on your face. Simply use warm water to loosen the mask and then rinse off with tepid water.
7. Yogurt Cucumber Mask
Something about cucumber just spells fresh and clean. Cucumbers are not just for tired eyes; make hydrating and nourishing face masks for your dehydrated skin. Cucumber is made up of almost 95 per cent water and contains vitamin A, B1, . It has cleansing, hydrating, skin lightening, toning and moisturizing properties for skin. Yogurt is a super food which has great nourishing and moisturizing properties. Use yogurt and cucumber together for an ultimate-hydrating face mask to clear off flaky skin on your face.
- Blend 1/4 a cucumber until it turns into a watery mixture. Place the cucumber puree in a small bowl and stir in 1 tablespoon of regular yogurt. Apply this mixture to your face and wash off after it dries up. Pat dry with a soft towel. You may apply a drop of olive oil to moisturize.
Quick Tip: Purchase plain, unsweetened, unflavored probiotic yogurt to avoid skin irritation. Greek yogurt can be used.
8. Egg Yolk for Dry Flaky Skin
Egg yolk contains a chock full of nutrients including vitamins, minerals, fat and water. This makes it a great water binding agent that will lock moisture into skin cells. Egg yolk contains protein, b-vitamins, vitamin A, zinc that will nourish, hydrate and lubricate your skin.
- To make a simple egg yolk face mask for scaly skin, combine 1 teaspoon of egg yolk, 1 teaspoon milk powder and 1 teaspoon extra fine colloidal oatmeal. Apply this to your flaky skin. Let it sit for 10 minutes. Use warm water to loosen the mask before rinsing with cool water. Wear an old T-shirt and apply the mask over your kitchen counter to prevent drips.
Quick Tip: Make sure not to get any egg white into your face mask as egg white has skin tightening properties which can shrink pores, limiting sebum production. Egg white is better suited for oily acneic skin.
9. Castor Oil Massage
Apply castor oil onto your dry flaky skin for immediate lubrication and relief. Castor oil is an excellent skin emollient, since it is a thick oil and has soothing and lubricating benefits which treat even the most severe dry skin conditions. Castor oil is also said to have detoxifying properties which break down excess sebum clogged deep within skin pores, hence preventing blackheads. If you suffer from flaky skin and acne also known as peeling acne, then you might as well kill two birds with one stone since this amazing oil can treat acne as well. It contains undercylenic acid which disinfects skin and kills off acne causing bacteria.
- To carry out a castor oil massage, first start with facial steaming. This is to soften your face and flaky skin. Next, warm up the castor oil and start massaging it on your face in a gentle circular motion. Do this for about 3 to 5 minutes. Next, place a soft washcloth in hot water, wring it and place it on your face to open up your skin pores to allow the castor oil to penetrate and to remove any impurities. After this, use the wash cloth to gently wipe off your face. The remaining oiliness is good for your flaky skin and will sink in after some time.
Quick Tip: You can mix castor oil with olive oil or any of your preferred oils in a certain ratios for added benefit to your skin.
10. Milk Facial Cleanser
One of my regular beauty regimens include an organic milk face mask or face wash using milk alone. Grass fed milk is blessed with a lot of vital ingredients that can benefit skin when applied topically. It not only contains calcium and vitamins but also has all the natural nutrients preserved in it since it is not boiled or processed at all. Milk locks moisture into dry skin cells, hydrate and nourish skin as well as lighten blemishes and even out pigmentation/discolorations.
- To banish flaky skin on your face, apply milk using a clean cotton ball onto your cleansed face. Let it sink in for 10 minutes before rinsing off. You can also saturate a cotton cloth with milk and use it on your face.
Quick Tip: Ensure to use whole milk to soothe inflamed and parched skin. Low-fat and skin milk won’t work.
LC says
How much castor oil?