Dry skin can be frustrating and is one of the most common skin complaints.
While over-the-counter remedies may offer short-term relief, many are made with synthetic ingredients that strip natural oils and disrupt the skin’s microbiome, potentially worsening the issue over time.
Discover the number one natural remedy for dry skin and learn about other health-focused strategies to promote naturally moisturized skin.
What causes dry skin?
Your skin is a living, breathing organ, and the body’s frontline protective barrier. It helps maintain fluid balance, protects against environmental stressors, and houses a diverse microbial ecosystem that supports skin immunity, hydration, and repair.
When this barrier is damaged, it can lead to dry skin symptoms such as tightness, rough texture, itching, or visible dry skin patches.
Common causes of skin dryness include:
- Overwashing or using irritating products, such as harsh soaps, antibacterial cleansers, and synthetic exfoliants containing alcohols, artificial fragrances, and preservatives.
- Frequent exposure to extreme temperatures from long showers or bath routines, excessive hand washing, or harsh climates.
- A poor diet that’s low in essential fats and high in refined carbohydrates, seed oils, and added sugars.
- Impaired digestive health, often linked to microbial imbalances or poor bile flow.
- Environmental stressors, including dry air, harsh winds, and repeated exposure to contaminated water or chemicals.
Watch the video below to discover the ultimate natural remedy for well-moisturized skin.
5 natural remedies for dry skin
Many beauty products that advertise to treat dry skin provide only temporary relief and often include harsh ingredients that compromise skin health and contribute to moisture loss in the long term.
Here are five natural methods to help promote nourished and resilient skin.
1. Follow a nutrient-dense low-carb diet
“To promote long-term skin health, it’s crucial to address root causes rather than just treat symptoms,” explains Dr. Berg. “When you reduce refined carbs and seed oils while increasing healthy fats and vegetables, your skin often starts to reflect those internal improvements.”
A whole-food approach, such as Healthy Keto®, supports blood sugar balance and normal insulin levels, which promotes hormonal balance essential for skin health and barrier integrity. It also helps reduce exposure to harmful ingredients found in highly processed food.
Healthy Keto incorporates a variety of antioxidant-rich foods such as berries, leafy greens, nuts, and cold-pressed oils such as extra-virgin olive oil, avocado oil, and coconut oil, which help maintain the skin’s resilience against environmental stressors.
Healthy Keto also boosts your intake of nourishing saturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids, which play a vital role in maintaining moisture retention, especially in aging skin.
In addition, keto aims to help eliminate exposure to highly processed seed oils such as soybean, corn, cottonseed, canola, and sunflower oil.
These oils often contain high amounts of inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids and are prone to oxidation, which can contribute to inflammation and skin discomfort.
2. Grass-fed beef tallow
Beef tallow isn’t just a nourishing dietary fat–it can also support healthy skin when applied topically.
Tallow closely resembles human sebum, the skin’s natural oil. It’s rich in healthy saturated fats, such as stearic acid, and contains fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, which are essential for supporting the skin’s lipid balance and natural regeneration.
According to research published in the Nutrition Journal, compared to conventional grain-fed sources, grass-fed beef products offer a more favorable nutrient profile, including a better omega-3 to omega-6 ratio, as well as higher concentrations of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and antioxidants such as glutathione.1
Choosing grass-fed beef tallow for topical use may offer enhanced skin-supportive properties compared to conventional tallow and may be especially beneficial for mature skin.
3. Prioritize foods rich in hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in your skin and joints that attracts moisture and helps keep your skin soft, full, and hydrated. However, as you age, hyaluronic acid levels decline, which can lead to drier, thinner, or less elastic skin.
Eating foods that contain hyaluronic acid or support its production, such as bone broth, organ meats, chicken skin, nuts, seeds, or snow mushrooms, may help add moisture, boost skin hydration, and support healthy, supple skin from the inside out.
4. Incorporate plenty of probiotic-rich foods
Your skin health can be a good indicator of what’s happening inside your gut.
An imbalanced gut microbiome or digestive stress can hinder the absorption of vital skin-supporting nutrients, including zinc, vitamin A, and essential fatty acids, potentially impacting skin health from within.
Consuming fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, Lactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) yogurt, and raw cheese may help support the gut’s microbial diversity, which in turn can help the skin restore moisture and improve overall tone and texture.
5. Cleanse gently and avoid harsh products
Many commercial soaps and cleansers contain synthetic chemicals, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, parabens, triclosan, alcohol, and artificial fragrances, that can strip the skin’s natural oils and compromise barrier function.
These ingredients are often included for lather, scent, or preservation, but frequent use may contribute to dryness, irritation, and microbial imbalance.
Instead of aggressive scrubs or cleansing exfoliants, choosing fragrance-free, non-toxic options may help prevent dry skin due to chemical irritation and promote lasting moisture retention.
Research published in Nutrients suggests that honey may be an effective natural option for moisturizing the skin, soothing irritation, and providing gentle cleansing benefits.2
When washing your face or body, use warm water–not hot water–and dry gently with a soft towel. This approach helps remove dead skin cells without damaging the skin’s structure or triggering flaky skin.
After cleansing, pat skin gently. While it’s still slightly damp, apply a thin layer of moisturizing cream made with natural skin-supporting ingredients such as grass-fed beef tallow or coconut oil to help soothe dryness and leave skin feeling soft and supple.
When to see a dermatologist
Most dry skin can be managed with diet and lifestyle changes, but persistent symptoms may indicate an underlying condition or skin disease and should be evaluated by a professional.
If your skin doesn’t respond to natural approaches or begins to show signs of more significant damage, it’s vital to consult a dermatologist.
Sudden severe dryness, discoloration, or persistent itching in adulthood may signal an underlying issue such as thyroid or kidney disease, which are common causes of skin conditions.
Consider seeking medical guidance if you experience:
- Dry skin patches that crack, bleed, or become painful
- Itchy skin that interferes with sleep or daily activities
- Widespread irritated skin or redness that persists despite lifestyle changes
- Signs of allergic reactions or allergic contact dermatitis
- Flare-ups of eczema or atopic dermatitis
- Sudden skin changes accompanied by fatigue or other health conditions
These symptoms may indicate hormonal imbalances, poor nutrient absorption, medication side effects, or environmental toxin exposure. A certified dermatologist can help diagnose dry skin triggers and offer guidance tailored to your specific skin needs.
Key takeaways
Dry skin often reflects internal imbalances, not just surface-level issues. While synthetic moisturizers may offer temporary relief, they can disrupt your skin’s natural barrier over time.
Nourishing your skin from within is one of the best remedies for dry skin. Adopting a Healthy Keto diet, using grass-fed beef tallow, honey, and foods rich in hyaluronic acid and probiotics, can help naturally support skin hydration, elasticity, and barrier function.
For lasting improvement, it’s also important to avoid harsh chemicals, use gentle moisturizing practices, and support your skin’s ability to retain moisture with natural, skin-friendly ingredients.
FAQ
What is the best home remedy for dry skin?
One of the best home remedies for relieving dry skin is to address the dietary and lifestyle factors that can contribute to the development of dry skin. While nutritious whole foods can support skin hydration, ultra-processed foods and refined oils may contribute to skin irritation and dryness. Additionally, applying natural oils such as grass-fed beef tallow can help lock in moisture and soothe dry skin without relying on products made with harsh chemicals or alcohol.
What are the symptoms of dry skin?
Common dry skin symptoms include flaky skin, itchy skin, rough texture, tightness, and fine cracks. In some cases, you may also notice increased sensitivity to products and environmental triggers.
Can dry skin cause acne?
Dry skin doesn’t directly cause acne. However, when the natural skin barrier is compromised, it may disrupt oil balance and microbial diversity, especially in acne-prone or sensitive skin types. This can lead to clogged pores and occasional breakouts.
Underlying causes such as poor diet, lack of healthy fats, or the use of harsh soaps and fragranced products can worsen dry skin symptoms and contribute to ongoing skin imbalances.
What can I drink for extremely dry skin?
To help extremely dry skin, support your body’s natural fluid balance by drinking a homemade electrolyte drink made with nutrient-rich whole foods, such as lemon, berries, avocado, sea salt, and apple cider vinegar. Avoid dehydrating beverages, including sugary sodas, caffeine, and alcohol, as they can worsen dryness.
Is petroleum jelly good for dry skin?
Petroleum jelly is a synthetic byproduct of the oil industry and may contain harmful trace contaminants. Regularly using it in your skin care routine can increase chemical exposure, which isn’t ideal, especially for fragile, aging, or damaged skin.
