12 of Nature’s Best Moisturizers for Dry Skin

Dry skin is the result of insufficient moisture retention in the skin. Though there are numerous reasons for this irritating condition, such as harsh soaps and aging, one of the biggest causes for dry skin is cold winter air.

Though skin care is important all year round, the winter months demand extra diligence due to the decrease in moisture in the air. The skin’s moisture content directly reflects the level of humidity in the air and as the air dries out, so does the skin.

The bath and beauty section of any store showcases an abundance of moisturizing products lining the shelves. These creams, soaps, and lotions boast to be the answer to winter dryness, but it’s the ingredients, not the claims that count.

The best moisturizers for dry skin aren’t engineered in labs and full of harsh chemicals or mass-produced for profit.

They’re the ones found in nature, and made of ingredients the body recognizes. The skin requires natural moisture, and many commercial, petroleum-based products don’t fit the bill.

Choosing the best moisturizer for dry skin isn’t difficult, so follow this guide to look past the labels, and find the right product for any occasion.

12 Best Moisturizers for Dry Skin

Many commercial products contain ingredients that make dry skin worse. Alcohol in scented lotions for example, may smell nice, but dries skin out further. Dyes and sulfates irritate the skin, and lead to redness and itching.

The claims say they are good for dry skin, but which ones actually nourish and replenish the skin?

Here are 12 key ingredients to look for in a moisturizing product.

1. Beeswax

Beeswax is the substance secreted by honeybees to build honeycombs. This wax has countless uses outside the hive. Perhaps one of the most versatile substances on the planet, beeswax is used for everything from dying fabric, lubrication, candles, food, soaps, and is one of the best moisturizers for dry skin.

As an ingredient in moisturizing products, beeswax is tough to 

beat. It softens the skin without clogging the pores or drying it out, and it soothes, heals, and protects when applied regularly. It acts as a top shelf humectant and emollient, sealing moisture into the skin.

It’s also antibacterial, prohibiting the growth of bacteria and fungus, which makes it useful for treating everything from diaper rash to bacterial skin conditions.

2. Bee Venom

The idea of getting stung by a bee doesn’t sound appealing to anyone. However, bee venom has some pretty amazing benefits.

Touted as “natural botox,” bee venom has been shown to decrease the signs of aging considerably. Studies have proven bee venom to decrease areas of wrinkles, diminish wrinkle count, and minimize wrinkle depth. Bee venom is anti-inflammatory and works by relaxing facial muscles and improving circulation, leading to a smooth, tighter complexion.

Who knew bee stings could be so beneficial?

Fortunately, there are much easier and less painful ways to acquire this “fountain of youth” than getting attacked by the source. As the beneficial properties of this substance become more widely known and lauded, it’s appearing in more skin care products such as creams and serums.

3. Olive Oil

The health benefits of ingesting olive oil are well known, but this substance works wonders outside the body as one of the best moisturizers for dry skin.

olive oil is a natural anti-oxidant, meaning it stops oxidation in its tracks. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun is responsible for oxidation - a process that produces free radicals - which damage skin cells and can cause cancer.

High in vitamins, including vitamin E, which promotes healthy skin, olive oil topically soothes psoriasis and eczema. It’s a natural moisturizer due to its high fat content. Its viscous consistency prevents it from evaporating quickly, keeping moisture locked into the skin longer.

4. Lavender

The smell of lavender is known as a soothing and calming agent to the senses, and it works on the skin as well.

The oil from these fragrant purple flowers boasts numerous benefits for skin. It kills bacteria, unclogs pores, and reduces inflammation, making it an ideal agent for those with acne.

Dry skin caused by eczema, psoriasis, or winter weather, benefit from lavender oil. It balances out the skin’s moisture barrier, keeping the skin from crossing the boundary into too-dry or too-oily territories. It also works to heal and soothe areas of injured, dry, or itchy skin. Like olive oil, it also contains natural anti-oxidants, which help stave off premature aging due to free radicals.

5. Calendula

Calendula is another floral extract boasting a wealth of skin benefits.

Calendula is an extract of the common marigold. It promotes skin tightness, reduces inflammation, and promotes healing. Calendula is often used to treat chapped lips and diaper rash, it’s also a great choice for dry skin as it accelerates cell turnover.

If that wasn’t enough, calendula stimulates collagen production, the protein that keeps your skin taut.  Morning Song Gardens Bee Balm Calendula -Pomegranate

6. Carrot Seed Oil

Don’t be fooled by the name, carrot seed oil is not made from carrots. Carrot seed oil, not to be confused with “carrot carrier oil,” or “carrot seed carrier oil,” comes from the Daucus carota plant, commonly referred to as Bishop’s Lace.

Carrot seed oil is a dry skin superstar. It softens calluses, calms irritation, diminishes redness, and works to fade age spots.

It further secures its claim as one of the best dry skin moisturizers by promoting a clear, bright complexion and relieving itching and irritation from eczema and psoriasis.

7. Honey

Honey is a great sweetener for tea, but what about dipping two fingers into the golden goodness to smother all over the face?

Surprisingly, it’s a wonderful idea.

Considered one of the best moisturizers for dry skin, its strongest attribute is moisture containment. It’s a natural humectant – absorbing moisture from its environment and retaining it – and contains gluconic acid, which exfoliates. It pulls oils out, so it works on oily skin, and holds water in to aid those with dry skin. It has a low pH – preventing bacteria growth – and anti-inflammatory properties to prevent skin rash.

8. Pomegranate

Punicic acid – an omega-5 fatty acid found in pomegranates and snake gourd – is an anti-diabetic, antioxidant, and 

euro protector. Pomegranate’s prolific antioxidants resist UV radiation – preventing skin damage and some forms of skin cancer. Its small molecules allow it to penetrate skin cells easily – locking in moisture and keeping bacteria out.

9. Argan Oil

Argan oil is one of the best moisturizers for dry skin and protects against UV damage . Armed with vitamins A and E, omega-3 fatty acids, and carotenoids, it works against free radicals, minimizes wrinkles, and keeps skin moisturized. It is molecularly smaller than other oils, which gives it the ability to sink into the pores easier – creating less clogged pores. Other benefits include anti-ageing and prevention against sustained cell damage.

10. Almond Oil

Almond oils have been used for centuries in ancient China to treat eczema and psoriasis. It contains vitamin E, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids, and is antioxidant rich - which helps it balance moisture in the skin and improve complexion. Almond oil is good for facial treatments, because it quickly absorbs into the skin.

11. Rosehip

Rosehip has a variety of benefits for drying skin. Vitamins A and C restore elasticity, anti-inflammatory properties reduce pain caused by eczema , and it moisturizes with linoleic, linolenic, and oleic acids.

Undernourished skin may produce more oils than normal, and cause pimples or blackheads to appear. Rosehip enters the pores and opens them up to allow better flow – therefore preventing acne.

12. Oats

The grain acts as an emollient by pulling dead skin cells, dirt, and oils from the skin, and - at the same time – absorbs water into the skin . Oats have a low pH, which provides anti-inflammatory properties. This is especially effective against dry skin caused by minor burns or rashes.

Get the Most out of Your Moisturizer

Using the right moisturizers is only the first step toward alleviating and preventing dry skin. Though all of these products are proven effective for managing your skin health, they’re more effective when used properly.

Adopt these practices for softer, healthier skin:

●Apply to Damp Skin: Applying moisturizer to damp skin locks in the water from the upper layers and prevents evaporation. The best time to moisturize is within 5 minutes of getting out of the shower. Pat down until mostly dry, and apply a thin layer of moisturizer on the skin to seal in the hydration.

●Limit Bathing: Yes, being clean is important, but bathing too frequently, especially with hot water, dries skin out. Keep showers to 5 – 10 minutes once a day in lukewarm water. Hot showers strip away the skin’s natural oils. While it may feel good at the moment, it’s not doing the skin any favors.

●Avoid Abrasives on The Skin: While scrubbing away dead skin cells sounds helpful in theory, it may actually be doing more harm than good. Rough exfoliation and aggressive scrubbing leads to tiny tears in the skin, redness, and irritation. Ditch the loofahs, shower sponges, and exfoliation scrubbers and opt for a soft washcloth instead.

Always Check the Label

It’s important to keep in mind that just because a product says “natural” on the label, doesn’t mean it really is. The FDA hasn’t defined the term “natural,” when it comes to cosmetic labeling, and moisturizers fall into the cosmetic category. Though you see the term on packaging often, it’s left to the interpretation of the manufacturer.

To ensure the product you’re purchasing truly is natural, read the ingredients list carefully and judge for yourself.

The key to any good moisturizer is the base, which is why Morning Song Farms incorporates olive oil and raw beeswax into their bee balm  face creams. Both of these ingredients closely mimic the sebum produced by the skin, making them perfect for treating extra dry skin,  Rosacea, wrinkles, and age spots. Their bee balm face creams go beneath the surface, pulling moisture deep into the skin for a complexion that’s not only soft and smooth, but also healthy.

If you’re looking for all natural moisturizing products that truly are what they claim, check out Morning Song Gardens line of Natural Skin Care for dry Skin & Eczema. Every one of these products is made in small batches from ingredients found in nature. Check out their products today!

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