• Lifestyle
    • Faith
    • Minimalism
    • Zero Waste
    • Home
    • Motherhood & Family
    • Health & Wellness
    • Travel
  • Food
    • Raw Food
    • Vegetarian
    • Smoothies
    • Desserts
    • Clean Eating
    • What I Eat In A Day
  • DIY
    • Facial Cleanser
    • Facial Moisturizer
    • Facial Mask
    • Eye Cream/Serum
    • Lip Balm
    • Hair Cleanser
    • Hair Rinse
    • Hair Leave-In/Styler
    • Beauty Oil/Butter
    • Beauty Mist/Toner
    • Natural Fragrance
    • Deodorant
    • Nail Care
  • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Curly Hair Regimen
    • Healthy Hair Tips
    • Chemical-Free Series/Hair
    • Skin
    • Acne
    • Principles
    • Chemical-Free Series/Skin
  • Style
    • Modesty
    • Wardrobe Simplified
    • My Capsule Wardrobe
  • SHOP
  • About
    • Beauty Regimen
    • My Personal Testimony
    • My Minimalist Home
    • Testimonials

Minimalist Beauty

living simply with grace, discretion and faith

Minimalist Beauty

7 Steps To Consoling Dry Skin

April 27, 2012 by Dawn Michelle

My approach to soothing any skin condition is to work on it from the inside out.  I also think that it is important to determine if the cosmetics that you are currently using may be contributing to possible skin problems.  By eliminating irritating cosmetics, replacing them with products that nourish the skin, while making a few dietary changes, you can find the balance that your skin needs.

Bringing a glow to dry skin isn’t impossible, yet will take some diligence and natural products.  Beautiful radiant skin is possible for all skin types.  Here are a few suggestions to console and hydrate dry skin from the inside out and with natural topical solutions.

1. Drink Pure Water

Coffee, sodas, and processed drinks can actually be dehydrating to the skin.  Although they may quench taste buds and temporarily energize the body, there are other better ways to fuel the body and care for the skin.  Drinking lots of pure water is one of the most important things that we can do for our body.  Our goal is to drink half of our body weight in ounces daily.

Instead of beginning our morning with coffee, why not make a yummy smoothie that will give the body so much more than a jolt of quick energy.  Check out a few smoothie recipes here, here, and this one with raw cacao here.  Fresh juices and herbal teas are also wonderful drinks to start the day with.

2. Add Healthy Fats

With all the talk about which fats are good and which fats are bad for you, there are some very important fats that give your skin a radiant glow from the inside out:  healthy saturated fats and vital omegas.  Adding avocados with healthy monounsaturated fat, coconut oil with lauric acid, and flaxseeds or flaxseed oil with amazing amounts of omegas to your diet will nourish dry skin and hair.  Coconut oil is also the best oil to cook food with as it will not change under high heat.

3. Eat Whole Foods

Processed foods are not our friends.  When I used to eat anything and everything, I remember being on tour while doing a high intensity show and getting fast food for dinner one night.  I could hardly get through the two hour show.  By intermission I was completely depleted of energy.  That experience as well as myself and half the cast getting food poisoning from a popular deli sandwich joint was a major wake up call that processed foods do nothing for the body.  Eating whole foods with a balanced diet of protein and vegetables, or carbohydrates and fruit will give your body the fuel it needs therefore nourish your skin.

4. Ditch Synthetic Cleansers

Many synthetic cosmetics have ingredients that dry out and irritate skin.  For instance certain preservatives and sulfate cleansers are toxic, drying, and irritating to skin.  Read Beauty No-Nos to see the chemicals I avoid with a bunch of natural cosmetic suggestions.

A super simple facial cleanser that works on all skin type is cleansing with raw honey.  Read more about raw honey as a healing face wash here.  Another wonderful cleanser is the MyChelle Dermaceuticals Honeydew Cleanser.

5. Create An Exfoliating & Hydrating Facial Mask

It is so important to get rid of dead skin cells regularly to allow your cosmetics to penetrate the skin better, and also to reveal the glowing new skin cells underneath.  Dry skin needs an exfoliating and hydrating mask in one.  A super simple mask that you can make in your kitchen is with honey, plain yogurt, and ground oatmeal or rhassoul clay.  Mix one tablespoon of honey and one tablespoon of yogurt with two teaspoons of ground oatmeal or rhassoul clay.  Apply to your face avoiding the eye area for twenty minutes.  Gently massage with damp fingers and rinse completely.  After exfoliating the skin an herbal facial steam will truly hydrate the skin.

6. Use Simple Hydrating Toners

I love making my own toners because it is extremely cost efficient, all natural, easy to make, and without alcohol.  Adding a tiny amount of vegetable glycerin to a DIY toner will give dry skin the extra moisture that it needs.  You can easily create your own hydrating toner using a hydrosol and vegetable glycerin.  Cucumber hydrosol is especially soothing and hydrating for dry skin as well as an anti-inflammatory.  Calendula hydrosol is particularly healing for many skin disorders and also very nourishing to dry skin.

You can also create your own toner such as this one with dried calendula and catnip herbs.  Adding 1/4 teaspoon of vegetable glycerin to 8 oz of a simple hydrating toner will help the skin maintain the moisture levels that it needs.  You can also carry your toner with you throughout the day to give your skin a spritz when it feels drys or needs to be refreshed.  If you’d rather buy a natural toner, an amazing toner to try is the 100% Pure Organic Aqua Boost with vegetable hyaluronic acid, rose hydrosol, and cucumber juice.   Pure aloe vera and raw honey masks also will aid in hydrating the skin.

7. Moisturize with Natural Potent Ingredients

Carrot seed, neroli, and geranium essential oils all bring balance to dry skin.  Olive, hemp seed, wheat germ, and rosehip seed oil are also especially nourishing to dry skin.  Definitely check out this list of oils if you are acne prone.  Mixing thicker oils with a lighter carrier oil such as jojoba or grapeseed oil along with a few drops of essential oils is all you need to create a potent all natural moisturizer.  A few recommendations for outstanding store bought moisturizers are the MyChelle Dermaceuticals Deep Repair Cream and 100% Pure Organic Acai Berry Antioxidant Facial Cream.

You can find dried herbs, hydrosols, natural and essential oils, as well as vegetable glycerin at Mountain Rose Herbs.

What solutions have you discovered to soothe dry skin?

(Image by D Sharon Pruitt)

Stay Connected with Minimalist Beauty & Subscribe with bloglovin’. Also Join the Community on Facebook & Twitter. For more about Dawn Michelle go here!

Share

Facebook Google+ Twitter Pinterest Email

You might also like...

Comments Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Catherine says

    May 13, 2012 at 10:26 am

    Hello,
    I want to know if you could recommend a natural tinted moisturizer. I am currently using the Origins brand moisturizer but I had just discovered that it not all natural and is currently causing breakouts. What do you recommend for light coverage wear? I am not a big makeup fan.

    Reply
    • Dawn Michelle says

      May 13, 2012 at 11:00 pm

      Hi Catherine,

      I am really liking the 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Tinted Moisturizer. It gives light seamless coverage and also is a great moisturizer. You can see my review here.

      Ingredients: Pigments of Peach, Apricot, Carrot, Pomegranate, Cocoa Bean, Goji Berry and Tomato, White Tea, Cucumber Juice, Aloe Juice, Acai Oil and Pomegranate Oil, Vitamin E (a-tocopherol), Vitamin C (ascorbyl palmitate), Rice Starch, Candelilla Wax, Extracts of Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme, Grapefruit Seed, Japanese Honeysuckle, Goldenseal and Cinnamon

      SUNSCREEN ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: 15% Titanium Dioxide and 10% Zinc Oxide

      Have a beautiful day,
      Dawn Michelle

      Reply
  2. mangomadness says

    October 24, 2013 at 6:45 pm

    When my skin is dry and/or irritated. I stop using my foaming cleanser and do oatmeal face masks until my skin returns to normal.

    I make oat flour with my blender, mix oat flour and a little water, let the mix sit and thicken then apply it to my face. I let it dry then wash it off. Oats make my skin soft and smooth and reduce irritation.

    Reply
    • Dawn Michelle says

      October 26, 2013 at 11:01 pm

      Hi Mangomadness,
      Oats are incredible for the skin! Thanks for sharing this great skin care tip!

      Reply
  3. Kat says

    April 21, 2014 at 3:50 pm

    Hi! Since finding your site, my dry, red, flakey skin has changed so much…I have been using a micro-fiber cloth and honey to cleanse my skin and it has improved so much! I’ve found macadamia nut oil to be amazing for my skin–both face and body–and I’ve recently started using the 100% Pure tinted moisturizer which has made my skin so soft and glowy…yes, glowy. I never thought I’d use that word to describe my skin. Thanks to your recommendations!!!!

    Reply
    • Dawn Michelle says

      April 21, 2014 at 11:58 pm

      Hi Kat,
      Wow this is great to hear! It is wonderful to find something that works so well for you. I’m glad I could help and thanks so much for sharing!

      Reply
Previous
Next
  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

living simply with grace, discretion and faith

I met a woman the other day who openly shared some I met a woman the other day who openly shared some of her challenges with motherhood.  Motherhood is intensely challenging, beyond humbling, and at times you just want the day to be over then realizing that you’ll be back at it the next day.  It never ends and there isn’t much reprive.  It’s been on my heart to share some encouragement to any mother who will read this.  I pray this will bless you in some way.  The link is in my profile!
🌻 #motherhood #encouragement #humility #minimalistbeauty
Fenugreek seeds, also called methi seeds, have a m Fenugreek seeds, also called methi seeds, have a multitude of medicinal properties along with being a prominent spice in many cultural dishes.  For starters, fenugreek seeds are packed with protein for strengthening strands, mucilage for moisturizing and soothing the scalp while detangling the hair, and most importantly nicotinic acid which may minimize hair shedding while soothing scalp issues.  Fenugreek seeds are also anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal which is beneficial for soothing a dry irritated scalp as well as high in iron. 🍂

These little seeds are a win win for natural hair care and can be used in various ways.  I’ve used fenugreek seeds in my beauty regimen on and off for years.  Today I wanted to share four easy ways you can incorporate fenugreek in your hair regimen to promote healthy hair growth.  The link is in the profile. 🍂

#diyhaircare #naturalhair #minimalistbeauty #sponsored @mountainroseherbs
God is so good! We move on FRIDAY. This picture God is so good!  We move on FRIDAY.  This picture was taken before they removed the bricking which was VERY NOISY to say the least.  We haven’t been completely able to avoid the beginning of the construction process, but I honestly think it’s a good thing.  This way we can remain GRATEFUL throughout the entire process.  GRATITUDE during LIFE’S IMPERFECTION develops CONTENTMENT.  That is one thing I work on daily.  If you missed our “We’re Moving Again” testimony it’s on the blog. 🌿🍁🍃

 #testimony #sharewhatisgood #godisgood #godisfaithful #godmakesaway #minimalistbeauty #simpleliving
Friday mornings are my busiest mornings of the wee Friday mornings are my busiest mornings of the week.  I make muffins for Saturday’s breakfast (either corn bread, pumpkin, or banana bread muffins) to have with fruit, a big crockpot dinner for the weekend (beans & rice bowls, lentils and sweet potato stews, or a big veggie and red potato stew) to serve with bread, tortillas, grains, and/or salad depending on the dish, and I’m usually putting orders together to go out for @iamazuha today too.  All the while I’m also making other food for the day. 🍂🥧🍁

Friday’s are crazy because of the usual responsibilities, but mainly because I really want to relax a bit over the weekend.  Over this past year I’ve worked really hard to create systems to make working from home and being a homemaker easier.  Homemaking really is like running a small boutique bed and breakfast hotel.  It takes planning ahead, having a solid system, financial planning, commitment, and a lot of love.  I’ve been learning to really enjoy this process.  Just like everybody else I’ve been baking more this year than ever.  Very rewarding. 🍂🥧🍁

Wishing all of you a beautiful and blessed weekend! 
💞Dawn Michelle
We’re MOVING again! With everything going on wi We’re MOVING again!  With everything going on with the world wide pandemic, I’m seeing the importance of sharing anything good that the Lord is doing in your life with others.  We need HOPE.  We need to share the JOY of walking with God.  The testimonies of glorifying God would just add encouragement that I know I need.  I LOVE hearing of God making ways out of no way, giving us more hope and FAITH. 🌿🍂🍃

I was initially praying to God for ways to endure what we were about to go through while somehow someway making it nice for my family during the process.  But God was already orchestrating a new way for us to not even have to endure it at all.  Read my testimony on Minimalist Beauty... (link in profile) 🌿🍂🍃

If God has done ANYTHING in your life no matter how small PLEASE share it in the comments below.  We all need to hear what’s good!  The news shares otherwise, but we can create a space here of good testimonies.  Please share below and I pray you are having a blessed day. 🌿🍂🍃

Much love!
#testimony #sharewhatsgood #godisgood #godisfaithful #godmakesaway #minimalistbeauty #simpleliving
We could all use an IMMUNE BOOST right now.  Here’s a simple juice recipe that I make for just that.  I call it SPICY APPLE JUICE and my three (almost four) year old drinks it up no problem! 🍎 

I simply juice 2 WHOLE medium/large APPLES (3 small apples pictured) + 3 CLOVES of GARLIC in a slow masticating juicer for one immune boosting serving.  Yes I do include the core as it has many health benefits. 🍎 

After having my 1st official winter back on the east coast last year, RAW GARLIC was how I made it through without getting sick at all while caring for sick family members. 🍎 

Since then I juice garlic in many of my juice recipes or mince up multiple cloves as dinner toppings for chickpea pasta, beans and rice bowls, and stews.  What I LOVE most of all is hearing my son say, “More Juice?” Proud Mama!!!! 🍎

#immuneboost #juicing #juicerecipe #simplenutrition #healthyliving #minimalistbeauty #minimalistbeautyeats
I started wearing linen clothing because it’s ex I started wearing linen clothing because it’s extremely practical.  Linen is one of the most environmentally friendly fabrics on the market.  Linen is also considered the world’s strongest natural fabric.  After tiring of purchasing new clothing every season for my heavily worn small capsule wardrobe, it just made sense to look for mid and heavy weight linen garments that could be worn year round and layered that actually lasted. 
🍃

Linen clothing can last up to 2-3 decades if properly cared for.  I’ve made some mistakes along the way, but have finally found a simple method for caring for my linen garments. (Link in profile.)
🍃
#linenlover #minimalistbeauty #sponsored @mountainroseherbs
I stopped using henna, I tossed my comb and brush, I stopped using henna, I tossed my comb and brush, I wear hair buns 95% of the time, and my hair care routine only got simpler with only two “products”. All the details plus why I really cut my hair last spring on the blog.  Much love!  #minimalistbeauty #curlyhairroutine #naturalhaircare

Copyright 2021 Minimalist Beauty | Site design handcrafted by Station Seven