Natural Hydrating Ingredients for Your Skin

Moisturizing Your Face

Most people, including myself, will admit that over 95% of their skincare routine is dedicated to their faces. I mean, you can shove your hands in the pockets and feet in the shoes, and no one will notice a dry line. Right? 

Unbeknownst to many, drenching your skin with every lotion and cream out there might be doing more harm than good. First of all, you’ll be using too much of your money, and secondly, some of these creams are comedogenic – pore-clogging. In fact, your kitchen pantry could be the underrated hub for natural and effective skin moisturizers than you never thought you had. Some of these soothing ingredients include:

Natural Honey

Probably the most multi-faceted face moisturizer in your kitchen, raw honey contains antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that promote wound healing. And while most people associate honey with cleansing, there’s more than what meets the eyes. And even as a facial cleanser, it lifts off dirt without stripping the skin of its moisture. 

As a facial skincare product, honey that hasn’t been heated delays aging, treats acne, and clears blemishes. 

At home use:

• Apply a thin layer of natural honey on your face and spread it evenly 
• Leave it for 10 minutes before rinsing off with lukewarm water

Coconut Oil 

Coconut oil can be used as a substitute to almost all the skincare products in your routine. From lip gloss to facial oil, the oil has a powerful moisturizing effect and barrier repair function. It rehydrates dry skin and locks in the moisture for a smooth, even texture. Also, coconut oil has antibacterial properties that help to protect the skin and collagen-boosting effect that firms up the skin.   

 At home use:

• Apply a moderate amount on dry patches on your face
• Gently massage to enhance absorption
• Coconut oil can also be used as a base for multiple DIY beauty products

Avocados

Avocados are rich in essential vitamins, proteins, and minerals. Experts recommend the mealtime delicacy for people in need of moisture and skin nourishment. Most importantly, it has antioxidant and anti-aging properties that protect the skin from sun damage. 

At home use:

• Mash the Avocado and mix with other ingredients like honey and oat
• Spread the mixture on your face evenly
• Leave for 10 minutes before washing off with lukewarm water
• You can also rub the inner side of the peel on your skin. The oil from the peel moisturizes and enriches the skin with vitamins

Cucumbers 

Ever seen someone place cucumber slices on their eyes? Well, cucumbers actively moisturize the skin while using silica to firm up sagging skin. The slices are rich Vitamin C, which calms irritated skin and reduces swelling. 

At home use:

• Cut the cucumber into thin slices and place them all over your face for 15 minutes 
• You can also blend the cucumber slices with honey and plain yogurt and use the mix as an anti-aging facial mask

Buttermilk or Yogurt

Fermented dairy products are sources of lactic acid, an essential substance that doubles as an active moisturizer and gentle exfoliator. A study on the efficacy of yogurt on facial masks revealed that it helps to hydrate, brighten, and restore the skin’s elasticity.  

At home use:

• Mix the yogurt with other ingredients like lemon and honey and brush your face with it
• Leave for 15-20 minutes and wash with lukewarm water
• Soak a cotton pad in buttermilk and spread it on your face for 10 minutes

Other natural hydrating ingredients for the face include:

• Baking Soda – gentle exfoliator that improves the skin’s absorption of moisturizers
• Shea Butter – hydrates dry skin while protecting it from external stressors
• Castor Oil – a natural moisturizer that helps to hydrate the skin and lock in the moisture for long-lasting suppleness

Moisturizing Your Hands

Other than the face which is out there for everyone to see, your hands do much more than you think. In fact, we pretty much rely on our hands to do everything, including washing, working, cooking, eating, among other things. For this reason, you must take care of your hands by ensuring that they’re always moisturized and nourished. 

Some of the natural ingredients that can help moisturize your hands include:

Olive Oil

Olive oil is a renowned antioxidant that helps to reduce oxidative skin on your hands. It’s rich in Vitamin E, which helps to delay aging and heal skin damaged by sun exposure. Olive oil traps moisture in the skin while discouraging loss via evaporation to promote long-lasting suppleness. 

At home use:

• Use Olive Oil after washing your hands, washing dishes, or before bed
• Dispense a few drops on your palm and rub onto your hands
• Pat the oil on your knuckles and elbows to enhance absorption

Natural Honey

Unheated honey is one of the most important kitchen supplies when it comes to skincare. It actively moisturizes the hands while catalyzing wound healing and protecting the skin from free radicals. 

At home use:

• Dispense a moderate amount on the palm and spread it evenly over your hands
• Leave it for 15-20 minutes before washing off
• Follow with a natural moisturizer like Olive Oil

Oil-Sugar-Lemon Combo

Oil, sugar, and lemon exfoliate, moisturize, and revive dry hands with one of the most effective DIY blends. What’s more, the brew even awakens the knuckles and elbows, which are considered difficult to hydrate. 

At home use:

• Mix 1/3 cup Olive Oil, 2/3 cup sugar, ½ lemon juice, and a pinch of lemon zest in a small jar and stir together
• Chill the mix in the fridge for a soothing sensation 
• Gently rub the chilled blend onto your hands for 5 minutes before washing it off

Other natural hydrating ingredients for your hands include:

• Beeswax – it actively moisturizes the hands and promotes wound healing
• Lavender –  an essential herb that relieves inflammation 

Calendula – its powerful anti-inflammatory properties help to heal damaged and chaffed hands

Moisturizing Your Feet

Hard and dry feet are one of the most common complaints that most people have. The best thing about it though, it’s very easy to treat – and you don’t need much either. So, here are some natural ingredients for your feet woes:

Bananas

These yellow delicacies are rich in Vitamin A and essential minerals that help to moisturize the feet. Bananas rehydrate dry skin and repair the natural barrier to trap the moisture and enhance long-lasting comfort. 

At home use:

• Mash a ripe banana and apply a foot mask for 20-25 minutes
• Wash off with lukewarm water 
• You can also add honey to elevate the moisturizing power and promote wound healing

Coconut Oil

Like with your face and hands, coconut oil also nourishes the feet while protecting them from free radicals. A dash of the oil can help treat dryness, especially on stubborn, rough patches like heels and ankles. 

It has a unique soothing effect that relaxes stressed skin and prepares it for skin moisturizing benefits. 

At home use:

• Dispense a moderate amount of the oil on your feet
• Gently massage in circular motions for maximum absorption

Sugar and Lemon

Mixing sugar and lemon into a crunchy zest could be the remedy to your dry, pale legs. This natural scrub exfoliates and hydrates your feet, leaving you with soft, firm skin. You can also add olive oil to the blend to improve its effectiveness. 

At home use:

• Mix 1/3 cup olive oil, 2/3 cup sugar, ½ lemon juice, and a pinch of lemon zest in a small jar and stir together
• Gently rub the mix on your feet for about 5 minutes before washing off with lukewarm water

Other natural options for comfortable feet include:

• Epsom Salts – quells foot odor and soothes dry skin
• Epsom Salts, Olive Oil, and Peppermint Oil – it moisturizes and softens the feet while relieving foot aches and preventing fungal infections

Moisturizing Your Body

With the face, hands, and feet already taken care of, it’s time to nourish the rest of your body. And ironically, of all the parts we’ve discussed, the body is the largest area you’ll have to cover. So, here are a few ideas from your kitchen to help you take care of your body;

Coconut Oil

Like air, Coconut Oil is everywhere. It actively moisturizes your body, leaving you with a soft, healthy-looking complexion. It also traps the moisture in your skin for long-lasting suppleness. 

At home use:

• Use Coconut Oil after a bath
• Pour an appropriate amount on your palm and gently smooth over your body
• Gently massage over dry patches to enhance absorption

Oats

Oats helps to soothe and moisturize dry skin, leaving you with a glowing, youthful complexion. It gently wipes off dead skin cells without stripping the skin of its moisture. 

At home use:

• Sprinkle 1 cup of crushed oats in a warm bath

Honey and Olive Oil

The Honey and Olive Oil combo works to rehydrate dry skin while gently scraping off dead skin cells from the feet. The mixture also shields the skin from damage while initiating wound healing and delaying premature aging. 

At home use:

• Mix the Honey with Olive Oil into a paste 
• Spread it on your body, including knees, elbows, and other difficult-to-hydrate spots
• Leave the mix for 15-20 minutes before washing it off

Milk and Honey

Milk contains lactic acid while helps with exfoliation and skin softening. It also helps with inflammation and sensitive skin. Mixing both ingredients thus creates a powerful moisturizer for your feet, enriched with anti-inflammation, exfoliation, and wound healing properties.  

At home use:

• Mix 2 cups of milk with ¼ cup honey in bathwater
• You can also massage the blend over dry or itchy patches on your skin

Ground Rice 

Grind rice and mix it with your favorite body wash for a natural, rejuvenating exfoliator. Ground rice gently wipes off dead skin cells without distorting the natural oil-water balance.

And that’s it! Your regular food items can be the remedy for your dry skin. And mind you, they’re all-natural, and you don’t have to pay extra. What’s more, some of these ingredients would’ve ended up in the trash can anyway – lemon and avocado skin. 

So, use your pantry to put together a simple skincare routine for your whole body. Whether it’s your face, body, hands, or feet; there’s something for everyone in the kitchen.