12 Home Remedies for Dry Skin – All Natural Moisturizers

One thing I’ve noticed as I’ve gotten older is that my skin needs a little more TLC than it did in my younger years. Thankfully, there are many different ways to relieve dry skin, and a lot of them might already be in your pantry or your garden. I’m sharing some of my favorite inexpensive natural home remedies for dry skin, from soothing soaks to calming creams.

#1 – Start with Your Skin Care Routine

I know some people like their bath or shower so hot that it could melt their freckles off, but it’s better for your skin to wash with warm water. Hot water removes more natural oils, disrupting the skin barrier.

Skip hot showers, and use lukewarm water instead. Limit showers to 5 – 10 minutes. Pat skin dry instead of rubbing, and apply moisturizer immediately after bathing to lock in hydration. In winter, consider running a humidifier to add moisture to the air.

Look for fragrance free skincare products, and makeup for sensitive skin. These are less likely to have chemicals that irritate your skin. Common chemicals in skincare products that can dry out skin include:

• alcohol
• parabens
• fragrances
• salicylic acid
• certain surfactants
• benzoyl peroxide

Be careful with your laundry detergent, too, as many contain ingredients that irritate sensitive skin. Choose fragrance free options without optical brighteners. Stay hydrated with non-caffeinated, non sugary beverages.

See also:

• How to Heal Cracked Heels (Overnight Treatment)
• Topical Psoriasis Treatments

#2 – Natural Oils

Some of the best natural moisturizers to treat dry skin are natural oils. These are good to use after cleansing or before bed. It helps to give them a few minutes to soak in before getting dressed, to avoid staining clothing.

• Argan oil – lightweight and non-greasy – this is my favorite for use on my face
• Coconut oil – rich in lauric acid to help heal skin, avoid if prone to acne
• Olive oil – high in antioxidants, a classic skin care oil
• Jojoba oil – mimics the skin’s natural sebum (I find it a little sticky feeling)
• Sweet almond oil – high in vitamin E and fatty acids, smells nice
• Rosehip oil – rich in vitamins A and C, smells lovely

#3 – Hard Lotion Bars

Hard lotion bars are a moisturizer that is hard at room temperature, but melts when it is warmed by your body heat. To use, you simply hold the bar in your hands to warm it, or rub against the area that the want to treat.

These bars have a great shelf life and don’t require refrigeration like some homemade creams and lotions. They’re also great to slip into a baggie and pop into your purse, because they won’t leak like a lotion bottle might.

You can check out the recipe in the post “Super Easy Hard Lotion Bars“. This recipe also makes a great lip balm for dry, chapped lips. Plus, if you use cocoa butter, it smells like chocolate!

#4 – Honey

Honey is a natural humectant that draws moisture into the skin, while also providing antibacterial benefits. Apply raw honey to dry areas and leave for 15–20 minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water.

#5 – Oatmeal Bath

Oatmeal baths are a classic home remedy for dry skin. There are several different options for using the soothing, nourishing powers of Avena sativa (oats) to your bath. You can buy a premade product like Aveeno Soothing Bath Treatment or soap.

For a DIY dry skin treatment, place a handful oatmeal in a mesh bag or old sock. Hang it in the stream of your bath water water (add some chamomile for extra skin care). Squeeze the bag gently to release even more of the soothing oat milk.

Another option is to finely grind your oatmeal in a blender and sprinkle directly into the bath water. You can also combine oatmeal with milk (2 cups per bath) or baking soda (1 cup per bath).

#6 – Dandelion Leaf

America’s most hated lawn weed is like a mini-pharmacy in flower form. The book Dandelion Medicine recommends a dandelion leaf bath for eczema and dry, oil, or itchy skin. Remember, harvest leaves from areas that have not been treated with herbicides or pesticides.

All you need is:

• 1 pint of water
• 2 heaping tablespoons of dried dandelion leaves – or – 1 handful of fresh dandelion leaves

Bring your water to a boil, then pour it over your leaves. Cover (to contain volatile compounds) and let steep for 30 minutes. Strain out the leaves and add the tea to a warm bath. Soak until the bath cools, or as long as you like.

#7 – Calendula

Many herbs work as home remedies for dry skin, but calendula is easy to grow and widely used for skin care. Use calendula flowers to make a tea (like the dandelion leaf tea above) and add the tea to your bath. You can also dab the tea onto your face with a washcloth.

To make a calendula infused oil, fill a small jar with the dried flowers, then cover them with olive oil. Let it infuse for 2-4 weeks in a jar, shaking occasionally. Strain and apply the oil directly to dry skin.

#8 – Herbal Bath

Adapted from 1001 Natural Remedies “Herbal Bath for Dry Skin”

Use 2 Tablespoons Each:

• Comfrey Leaf
• Marshmallow Root
• Rose Petals
• Chamomile

Place the dried herbs in a double layer of cheesecloth or mesh bag and place in the bathtub while it is filling. Comfrey and marshmallow help soften dry skin, while rose petals and chamomile sooth and add a lovely fragrance.

#9 – Vanilla Body Cream

This simple 4 ingredient body cream goes together in a flash in the food processor and keeps for around 6 months in the fridge.

Simply blend:

• 2 tablespoons shea butter
• 2 tablespoons virgin coconut oil
• 4 tablespoons sweet almond oil
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla absolute oil

Store in a dark glass jar. Makes about 4 ounces.

Adapted from “Do It Gorgeously: How to Make Less Toxic, Less Expensive, and More Beautiful Products“.

#10- Birch Tea

The book Backyard Medicine recommends birch tea for skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis and herpes. To make the tea, cover four of five birch leaves (fresh or dry) with one cup of boiling water. Cover and steep for five to ten minutes, then strain and drink.

For eczema, drink one cup of tea three to four times per day and apply the tea as a compress to the affected area. To make a compress, dip a soft cloth into the warm or cooled tea and apply to the skin.

#11 – Tallow Balm

Grass fed beef tallow is high in micronutrients that nourish skin. It’s easy to make into skin soothing balm with just a few ingredients. Check out “Nourishing Tallow Balm” at the Traditional Cooking School for the recipe and instructions.

#12 – Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is generally well known as a treatment for sunburn, but it’s also a good home remedy for dry skin. It soothes irritation, hydrates deeply, and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Simply extract fresh aloe gel and apply it directly to the skin. Leave it for 15-20 minutes before rinsing, or leave it on overnight and rinse in the morning. The gel feels a little tight as it dries, so you may want to try the quick treatment first before committing to overnight treatment.

Finding the Right Home Remedy for Dry Skin

Start with self-care and eliminating irritants (and stay hydrated). Then try different options until you find what works for you. I like argan oil on my face, but use coconut oil or lotion bars on my hands. Coating my face with honey before soaking in an herbal bath is like a mini spa treatment at home. (But it’s a lot cheaper!) Always be gentle with your skin, and allow it time to heal.

This article is written by Laurie Neverman. Laurie is a lifelong learner with a passion for natural remedies and holistic healing. She’s successfully improved her eyesight and cleared her psoriasis.

Originally published in 2014, last updated in 2025.