Natural alternatives for sensitive, dry or irritated skin
It’s not always easy to find suitable products for this type of skin. You often have to use creams with as few ingredients as possible so that you don’t get a skin reaction but at the same time you lose the properties and benefits of active ingredients contained in regular creams. And unfortunately, these creams are often perfumed and contain preservatives or other ingredients that can irritate skin.
So I decided to look for natural alternatives that you can make at home to help your skin without having to use perfumed creams. Here is the result of my research. If you have any suggestions you’d like to share, please send me them. I am not a dermatologist so I just do what I can and I’m always open to suggestions.
Aloe Vera
This plant is a real miracle. It has an infinite number of therapeutic qualities. It’s also been used for centuries for its healing, coagulating and antiseptic properties. But now we know it’s also anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, antibiotic and regenerating. It’s also rich in vitamins, minerals, enzymes and amino acids which mean it has nourishing and curative properties too.
Its only disadvantage is the smell and the taste. Don’t put your finger in your mouth if you’ve touched the juice of aloe leaves because you’ll rush to spit it out in the sink, it really tastes horrible! But in spite of this, I heartily recommend that you buy an aloe plant for your house. Then you can cut off the pointed ends of the leaves when you need them. The plant will stay healthy, it’s a strong plant and the leaves will grow back easily.
When I was a little girl, my parents often used the aloe plant for small cuts and burns. My mother applied the leaves directly on the wound and covered it with an adhesive bandage. It was effective and also very affordable.
So I really recommend this plant; you don’t have to buy aloe cream which contains preservatives. Use the juice as a mask, mix it with a neutral base and you’ll see a big difference.
Vitamin E
You can easily find pure vitamin E capsules at the pharmacy. Nursing mothers often use it to soothe and heal nipple cracks caused by breastfeeding. So, no need to buy a special vitamin E cream. It’s cheaper in its pure form. So why not mix it with a neutral base to take advantage of its many qualities: anti-free radicals, anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, improves skin’s micro-circulation, protects from UV rays, slows down skin ageing, prevents irritations etc.
Olive Oil
This oil has many properties and has been used since time immemorial as a skin- care aid, especially in Mediterranean countries..
It nourishes, softens and tones the skin and is excellent for eczema and dry areas of the body like hands, elbows, knees, feet, lips etc.
It also contains vitamins and antioxidants!
Thermal water
This vitamin and mineral-rich water is full of advantages for your skin.
It’s not a myth: thermal water really does your skin a lot of good. People with serious skin conditions who visit the Avène or La Roche-Posay springs for example, see great improvements simply with thermal water treatments.
There are several categories of thermal water according to their source. But in general, the two most important qualities are skin-soothing and anti-irritating. So it’s ideal for sensitive or irritated skin. It also gives your skin a boost with its minerals that all have something to offer. It also has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, calming, anti-free radical and anti-swelling properties as well as reinforcing the skin’s immune system.
Cucumber
You can use cucumber juice as a tonic or just place sliced cucumber on your face. It diminishes rosacea and broken capillaries.
Sweet almond oil
This has long been recommended as one of the best treatments for stretch marks because it softens and tones the skin. But for dry or sensitive skins, sweet almond oil is soothing, moisturizing (it’s richer than other vegetable oils) and nourishing. It prevents skin from drying out and cares for dry, chapped areas. It also has anti-inflammatory properties so it’s ideal for irritated skin. But be careful: if you have nut allergies, using this oil could be catastrophic!
Emu oil
If you’re a vegan, you won’t like this oil because it comes from an animal. But for the rest of you, it’s practically a miracle product! The emu resembles an ostrich. The meat is used in the food industry and the fat is rendered, filtered and refined to create oil.
It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hydrating, healing, regenerating and nourishing properties. It is odourless, non-greasy, hypoallergenic and doesn’t block pores. It’s also effective for treating eczema, burns, stretch marks, psoriasis, scars and bruises.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal has emollient and anti-itching properties so it’s ideal for irritated skin or eczema. Use ground oatmeal rather than flakes. Mix it with warm water to make a mask.
Argan oil
As with spring water, I’ve also written an article about this precious oil.
Argan oil is full of virtues and hydrates particularly well.
Honey
Honey has been used for centuries as a skin-care aid. It moisturizes, softens, regenerates, and soothes irritation. Rich in minerals, sugar, vitamins and amino acids, it traps moisture, so it’s ideal for dehydrated skin.
Of course there are many other remedies for dry, sensitive and irritated skin but I can’t cover them all as I’d have to spend weeks on it. I’ve mentioned some of the ones I know but if you have any other suggestions, I’d be happy to hear them.
You can also mix two or more of the ingredients in this article to create a super-effective mask for your skin!
It’s economical, gentle and natural! What’s not to love!