Description
This page has 47 references
"Dry Skin" is a condition in which the skin loses moisture and essential oils, becoming rough, tight, or flaky. External factors like cold weather, hot showers, harsh soaps, and indoor heating can worsen dryness or trigger flare-ups. Symptoms may include persistent itchiness, scaling, or cracking. Using hydrating moisturizers, avoiding hot water, and choosing gentle skincare products can restore the skin barrier. A nutrient-rich diet with healthy fats and antioxidants also helps maintain elasticity, hydration, and long-term skin health.
Symptoms & Signs
Dehydration, Itching, Redness, Skin Cracks, Skin Discomfort, Skin Flakes, Skin Infections, Tightness
Dry Skin
Body System
Skin, Hair and Nails
Causes
Dehydration, Aging, Poor Diet, Environmental Factors (Cold Weather, Heating, Air-Conditioning), Nutrient Deficiencies, Certain Medications (e.g. diuretics, retinoids)
Things To Do
If you have dry skin, do the following:
incorporate a whole-foods-based diet that includes a wide range of vegetables, fruit, healthy proteins, and fatty acids.
Eat sulfur-containing produce, such as eggs, galric, onions, cruciferous vegetables, and asparagus.
Include foods high in vitamin A or beta-carotene.
Stay hydrated and drink mineral water and herbal teas.
Eat foods high in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E, which also have beneficial effects on dry skin.
Furthermore, try these:
Moisturize your skin right after showering or bathing. It will help lock in the moisture.
Check the humidity levels in your surroundings. If it is too low, use the humidifier.
Use moisturizing face, hand, and foot masks. They can help alleviate dryness.
body and skin care products that contain vitamin E, panthenol, aloe vera, and vegetable glycerin.
Turn down the heating in the winter.
Things To Avoid
When you have dry or very dry skin, avoid the following:
processed, fast, and junk foods.
coffee, caffeinated drinks, alcohol, and sweetened beverages.
sugar, sweets, and desserts.
Do not fry your food, and avoid heat-processed vegetable oils.
Furthermore, avoid the following practices:
smoking and inhaling secondhand smoke.
using harsh soaps [including facial soaps, foams, and cleansers] that remove natural oils from the skin.
hot showers and baths.
Stay out of the strong sun. Sun exposure is necessary for our health, but excessive sun exposure can damage the skin.
ℹ️ Guidance Note
Not a protocol—each modality is listed individually with references; anecdotes are flagged
Usage rules
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Use one modality per session within the listed frequency and duration
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Add new modalities one at a time, week by week
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Stop immediately if adverse symptoms occur
Combining rules
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Combine modalities only if explicitly allowed in the entry
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Avoid overlapping heat or intensive manual therapies on the same day unless specified
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Use only listed synergies; otherwise do not combine in the same session
Professional Care
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Follow the fixed safe-use lines where indicated (e.g., acupuncture requires a licensed practitioner)
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See Global Safety Note below
ℹ️ Guidance Note
Not a protocol—each plant active is listed individually with references; anecdotes are flagged
Introduce gradually
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Start with one plant active
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Add one new plant active every 7 days if tolerated
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Keep ≤2 changes at once
Stacking rules
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Avoid combining herbs with the same primary Effect
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Always check for drug–herb interactions and photosensitivity
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Use only listed synergies; avoid antagonisms or separate by the stated time
Use Window
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Respect each item’s Timing and Duration caps
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Patch-test topicals and dilute essential oils to the listed %
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See Global Safety Note below
Self-care oriented
These options do not replace prescribed care. “Therapeutic Dose” denotes the upper limit (“Up to …”), and “Duration” denotes the Safe Duration cap — at the Recommended Dose you may continue or cycle beyond this window if symptoms persist and no adverse effects occur; at the Therapeutic Dose do not extend without clinician guidance; stopping earlier is appropriate if you improve or have side effects. Upper limits are ceilings, not targets; if unsure, ask a clinician. Review potential interactions with a clinician or pharmacist—especially if you take anticoagulants or medicines for heart disease, diabetes, seizures, or mood disorders. Use quality-tested products; patch test topicals; dilute essential oils; avoid eyes/mucosa.
Supplements
Direct Support
(Most Helpful → Least Helpful)
These supplements directly affect dry skin by enhancing skin hydration, supporting lipid barrier integrity, or reducing inflammation in the skin layers.
1. Omega 3 🔗 (view details)
Function: Omega-3 strengthens the skin’s lipid barrier by enhancing the production of essential fatty acids, which lock in moisture and reduce water loss. This process helps soothe inflammation and improve skin hydration, effectively relieving dry skin.
Recommended Dose: 1,000–2,000 mg/day (EPA + DHA)
Therapeutic Dose: Up to 3,000 mg/day (EPA + DHA)
Form: Softgel or oil
Timing: With meals
Duration: Ongoing
Cautions & Safety Notes: May thin blood at higher doses; choose purified products.
2. Borage Oil 🔗 (view details)
Function: Borage oil, a rich source of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), strengthens the skin's moisture barrier, reducing transepidermal water loss and improving skin texture and firmness, resulting in better hydration and healthier skin.
Recommended Dose: 240–320 mg GLA/day
Therapeutic Dose: Up to 600 mg GLA/day
Form: Softgel or oil
Timing: With meals
Duration: 8–12 weeks
Cautions & Safety Notes: Choose PA-free brands; hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids possible in non-PA-free oils—avoid in liver disease; increased bleeding risk—use caution with anticoagulants/antiplatelets; stop 7 days before surgery; mild GI upset possible; do not stack with other GLA-containing oils (evening primrose, black currant seed).
3. Evening Primrose Oil 🔗 (view details)
Function: Evening primrose oil, rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), boosts skin moisture by enhancing the lipid barrier, reducing transepidermal water loss, and improving skin firmness and texture for better overall hydration.
Recommended Dose: 200–400 mg GLA/day
Therapeutic Dose: Up to 600 mg GLA/day
Form: Softgel or oil
Timing: With meals
Duration: 8–12 weeks
Cautions & Safety Notes: Not for seizure-prone individuals or with phenothiazine antipsychotics; increased bleeding risk—use caution with anticoagulants/antiplatelets; stop 7 days before surgery; possible nausea or GI upset; do not stack with other GLA-containing oils (borage, black currant seed).
4. Collagen 🔗 (view details)
Function: Collagen maintains the integrity and tensile strength of ocular connective tissues, supporting elasticity and structural stability; may reduce the risk of degenerative changes such as glaucoma and cataracts.
Recommended Dose: 2,500–5,000 mg/day
Therapeutic Dose: Up to 10,000 mg/day
Form: Powder or capsule
Timing: With meals
Duration: 8–12 weeks
Cautions & Safety Notes: Marine (fish) or bovine sources—check allergies; if using a combo collagen + hyaluronic acid product, count the total daily intake and do not stack additional doses from other products.
5. Hyaluronic Acid 🔗 (view details)
Function: Hyaluronic acid draws moisture into the skin, holding up to 1,000 times its weight in water, which enhances hydration, smoothness, and elasticity, minimizing the appearance of dryness and fine lines.
Recommended Dose: 120–240 mg/day
Therapeutic Dose: Up to 300 mg/day
Form: Capsule or powder
Timing: With meals
Duration: 8–12 weeks
Cautions & Safety Notes: Fermented or rooster comb sources—check avian allergy; mild GI upset possible; if using a combo hyaluronic acid + collagen product, count the total daily intake and do not stack additional doses from other products.
6. Vitamin E 🔗 (view details)
Function: Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant that helps lock in moisture by creating a protective barrier, reducing dryness, and promoting smooth, hydrated skin.
Recommended Dose: 100–200 IU/day
Therapeutic Dose: Up to 400 IU/day
Form: Softgel or liquid drops
Timing: With meals
Duration: 4–6 weeks
Cautions & Safety Notes: May thin blood; caution with anticoagulants.
7. Vitamin A 🔗 (view details)
Function: Vitamin A supports skin health by aiding collagen production and protecting against sun damage. Its antioxidant properties help retain moisture and prevent dryness, promoting a smoother complexion.
Recommended Dose: 2,500–5,000 IU/day
Therapeutic Dose: Up to 10,000 IU/day short term
Form: Softgel or liquid drops
Timing: With meals
Duration: 8–12 weeks
Cautions & Safety Notes: Toxic in high doses; avoid in pregnancy; don’t combine with other retinoids.
8. Vitamin B Complex 🔗 (view details)
Function: Vitamin B complex supports skin hydration by improving moisture retention and reducing dryness. Key components like B1 (Thiamin), B2 (Riboflavin), B5 (Pantothenic acid), and B7 (Biotin) promote a healthy skin barrier, assist in cell regeneration, and help maintain smooth, moisturized skin.
Recommended Dose: B1 (Thiamine) 10–25 mg/day; B2 (Riboflavin) 10–25 mg/day; B3 (Niacinamide) 16–50 mg/day; B5 (Pantothenic acid) 50–100 mg/day; B6 2–10 mg/day; B7 (Biotin) 30–100 mcg/day; Folate (5-MTHF) 400–800 mcg/day; B12 250–500 mcg/day
Therapeutic Dose: B1 up to 100 mg/day; B2 up to 100 mg/day; B3 (Niacinamide) up to 500 mg/day; B5 up to 500 mg/day; B6 up to 25 mg/day; B7 (Biotin) up to 300 mcg/day; Folate (5-MTHF) up to 1,000 mcg/day; B12 up to 1,000 mcg/day
Form: Capsule or tablet
Timing: With meals
Duration: Ongoing
Cautions & Safety Notes: High-dose B6 neuropathy >100 mg/day; nicotinic acid may cause flushing—prefer niacinamide in complexes; high-dose niacinamide may affect glycemic control/liver; biotin can interfere with lab tests (thyroid, troponin); folate can mask B12 deficiency—ensure B12 replete before >400 mcg/day; bright yellow urine from riboflavin is normal.
9. Vitamin C 🔗 (view details)
Function: Vitamin C enhances collagen production, improving skin thickness and hydration. It also protects the skin from UV damage, helping reduce dryness and promote a healthy, glowing complexion.
Recommended Dose: 1,000–2,000 mg/day (ascorbic acid; divided doses) or 80–160 mg/day (fruit-extract capsules; divided doses)
Therapeutic Dose: Up to 3,000 mg/day (ascorbic acid; divided doses) or up to 240 mg/day (fruit-extract capsules; divided doses)
Form: Capsule or powder
Timing: With meals
Duration: 8–12 weeks
Cautions & Safety Notes: GI upset/loose stools are more common with ascorbic acid; fruit-extract vitamin C is usually gentler. Kidney-stone history—use caution and hydrate. Vitamin C increases iron absorption—if you have high iron levels or were told to limit iron, check with your clinician. Separate from aluminum-containing antacids by 2 hours.
10. Zinc 🔗 (view details)
Function: Zinc aids in skin repair and regeneration, helping to maintain moisture balance and support a smooth, healthy complexion.
Recommended Dose: 15–25 mg/day elemental
Therapeutic Dose: Up to 40 mg/day elemental
Form: Capsule
Timing: With meals
Duration: 8–12 weeks
Cautions & Safety Notes: Long-term high doses may lower copper; consider copper if extended; separate from iron/calcium by ≥2 h.
Indirect Support
(Most Helpful → Least Helpful)
These supplements do not target dry skin directly but may improve hormonal balance, circulation, or overall hydration status that influences skin moisture.
No replicated and convincing research studies are available, and there is no anecdotal evidence supporting the effectiveness of this method.
Natural Compounds
These natural compounds may help alleviate dry skin by nourishing skin cells, supporting hydration, or enhancing the skin’s natural barrier function.
1. Colloidal Oatmeal 🔗 (view details)
Function: Colloidal oatmeal forms a soothing barrier on the skin, preventing water loss by locking in moisture. Its beta-glucans and polysaccharides attract water to the skin, ensuring deep hydration while calming irritation and protecting the skin’s natural barrier.
Typical Amount: 0.5–1% in creams or bath soaks
Form & Delivery Method: Topical
Timing: After bathing
Frequency: 1–2×/day or as baths 2–3×/week
Cautions & Safety Notes: Very safe; avoid if allergic to oats.
2. Coconut Oil 🔗 (view details)
Function: Coconut oil, rich in fatty acids like lauric acid, strengthens the skin’s lipid barrier by sealing in moisture and preventing water loss, promoting smoother and more hydrated skin.
Typical Amount: 1–3 mL thin layer per use (≈ ¼–½ tsp)
Form & Delivery Method: Topical; apply to clean, dry skin
Timing: After cleansing
Frequency: 1–3 times/day
Cautions & Safety Notes: May clog pores in acne-prone skin—patch test; discontinue if folliculitis or rash; slip risk on feet/hands surfaces.
3. Shea Butter 🔗 (view details)
Function: Shea butter restores skin barrier function by providing essential fatty acids and antioxidants, deeply moisturizing and reducing dryness.
Typical Amount: Topical ¼–½ tsp (area) or ⅛–¼ tsp (spot)
Form & Delivery Method: Topical
Timing: After cleansing
Frequency: 1–2 times/day
Cautions & Safety Notes: Patch test; rare tree-nut allergy or latex cross-reactivity; may clog pores in acne-prone skin—use sparingly on T-zone; discontinue if irritation.
Plant Actives
Direct Support
(Most Helpful → Least Helpful)
These plant extracts directly support skin hydration by soothing irritation, reducing inflammation, or promoting healthy oil production and moisture retention.
1. Aloe Vera Gel 🔗 (view details)
Function: Aloe vera gel deeply hydrates the skin by retaining moisture in the skin layers, soothing inflammation, and helping heal dry, irritated skin through its cooling and anti-inflammatory properties.
Recommended Dose: 1–2.5 mL (≈ 1/4–1/2 tsp)
Therapeutic Dose: Up to 5 mL (≈ 1 tsp)
Form & Preparation: Cream
Timing: After cleansing
Duration: 4–8 weeks
Cautions & Safety Notes: Possible contact dermatitis in latex-sensitive individuals; prefer decolorized/latex-free gel; discontinue if irritation; do not apply to deep/open wounds or severe burns; avoid use on infected lesions unless clinician-directed.
2. Calendula Oil 🔗 (view details)
Function: Calendula’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds, like flavonoids, calm dry, sensitive skin by reducing redness and repairing the skin barrier, aiding in faster recovery from irritation.
Recommended Dose: 0.5–1 mL (topical oil; ≈ 10–20 drops) or 5–10% dilution (if using a concentrate; per 2 tsp base ≈ 10 mL, add 0.5–1 mL ≈ 10–20 drops)
Therapeutic Dose: Up to 2 mL (topical oil; ≈ 40 drops) or 20% dilution (if using a concentrate; per 2 tsp base ≈ 10 mL, add 2 mL ≈ 40 drops)
Form & Preparation: Essential oil dilution
Timing: After cleansing
Duration: 4–8 weeks
Cautions & Safety Notes: Asteraceae (daisy family) allergy risk; external use only; avoid deep puncture wounds; patch test first; discontinue if rash or irritation.
Indirect Support
(Most Helpful → Least Helpful)
These extracts do not act directly on dry skin but may support detoxification, immune balance, or overall skin repair and resilience.
No replicated and convincing research studies are available, and there is no anecdotal evidence supporting the effectiveness of this method.
Alternative Treatments
These alternative therapies support skin hydration, promote tissue repair, and enhance overall skin health in individuals with dry skin.
1. Dry Brushing
Function: Dry brushing, based largely on anecdotal practice, is thought to improve circulation and remove dead skin cells, promoting smoother, healthier-looking skin.
Safe & Effective Use: Natural-bristle body brush; light strokes toward the heart; 3–5 min before a shower; start gently; moisturize after
Session Frequency: 2–4 sessions/week
Duration: Ongoing
Cautions & Safety Notes: Do not use on broken, inflamed, sunburned, or infected skin; stop if irritation or bleeding occurs; avoid over varicose veins; bleeding disorders or anticoagulants require extra care; keep the brush clean and dry to prevent bacteria.
Global Safety Note
ℹ️ Guidance Note
Not a protocol—each supplement is listed individually with references; anecdotes are flagged
Introduce gradually
-
Start with one supplement
-
Add one new supplement every 3–7 days if tolerated
-
Keep ≤3 changes at once
Stacking rules
-
Don’t combine supplements with the same primary Effect
-
Use only listed synergies; avoid antagonisms or separate by the stated time
-
Track total exposure when items share an active or pathway (e.g., melatonin, zinc)
Use Window
-
Respect each item’s Timing and Duration caps
-
Stop early once goals are met; re-evaluate at 8–12 weeks
-
See Global Safety Note below
ℹ️ Guidance Note
Not a protocol—each natural compound is listed individually with references; anecdotes are flagged
Introduce gradually
-
Start with one natural compound
-
Add one new compound every 3–7 days if tolerated
-
Keep ≤2 changes at once
Stacking rules
-
Don’t combine compounds with the same primary Effect
-
Use only listed synergies; avoid antagonisms or separate by the stated time
-
Track total exposure when compounds share an active or pathway (e.g., organic acids like ACV, alkalizers like sodium bicarbonate, metal ions like colloidal silver)
Use Window
-
Respect each item’s Timing and Duration caps
-
Always patch-test topical applications
-
Do not layer potential irritants on the same area
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Stop at first signs of irritation or intolerance
-
See Global Safety Note below
Direct / Indirect Support
(Most Helpful → Least Helpful)
Direct / Indirect Support
(Most Helpful → Least Helpful)
Functional Lab Tests You May Wish to Explore
Currently, no functional lab tests aligned with our integrative and natural health standards are available for this condition. Once reliable tests are identified and validated, we will review and feature them here.
Books Worth Considering for Deeper Insight
Currently, no high-quality books meeting our functional, integrative, and natural healing standards are available for this condition. As soon as trusted resources are published, we will review and feature them here.
Podcasts That Offer Valuable Perspectives
Currently, no high-quality podcast episodes meeting our functional, integrative, and natural healing standards are available for this condition. We will review and feature trusted resources here as soon as they become available.
Educational Videos To Learn From
Currently, no high-quality podcast episodes meeting our functional, integrative, and natural healing standards are available for this condition. We will review and feature trusted resources here as soon as they become available.
How Key Nutrients Support the Body
Fatty Acids: Fatty acids serve as energy sources, structural components of cell membranes, and precursors to signaling molecules. Essential fatty acids, like omega-3 and omega-6, play critical roles in brain function, cardiovascular health, and inflammation regulation.
Herbal Extracts: Herbal extracts contain bioactive compounds with various medicinal properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. They have been used traditionally to support digestion, immunity, and overall health.
Minerals: Minerals are essential for various physiological functions, including bone health, nerve transmission, and enzyme activity. They support overall health by ensuring proper cellular function and metabolic processes.
Other Nutrients: Other nutrients encompass a wide array of essential compounds crucial for various physiological functions. This category includes neurotransmitters and their precursors, which facilitate nerve signaling and are vital for central nervous system function. Additionally, naturally occurring structural components and biological detergents, such as phospholipids and bile salts, play critical roles in tissue repair, fat digestion, and overall bodily function. Phospholipids contribute to cell membrane integrity and fat emulsification, while bile salts are key to digesting and absorbing dietary fats. Hormones and their precursors regulate numerous physiological processes, including metabolism, growth, and reproduction. Furthermore, naturally occurring chemicals and metals play pivotal roles in enzymatic reactions, immune function, and overall health maintenance.
Vitamins: Vitamins are essential micronutrients that play diverse roles in supporting cellular processes, immune function, and overall health. They must be obtained through diet or supplementation to ensure proper bodily function.
References
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