Natural remedies for dry skin….So let’s talk about something no one wants to admit out loud but most of us have absolutely suffered through—dry, flaky, mood-killing skin. Like, lizard-mode. Sahara desert in January. Elbows you could sand wood with.
Been there? Yeah, same. My dry skin used to get so bad in the winter, I’d literally dread smiling because it made my cheeks crack. (Which is ironic because nothing makes you less likely to smile than your face physically breaking every time you do.)
And listen—I’m not talking “oops I forgot moisturizer one night” kind of dry. I’m talking crusty ankles, itchy forearms, and that patch between your eyebrows that peels like sunburned pizza cheese.
So yeah. I hit my breaking point. I was standing in front of the mirror one day, slathering on some overpriced “hydrating” serum that felt like rubbing water on cement, and I just said out loud:
“WHY is my face acting like I live on the moon??”
My dog blinked at me. Useless. But I decided to go full mad scientist in my kitchen and actually try some old-school, DIY natural remedies for dry skin.
And some of them? Total game changers. So now I’m spilling the (green) tea.
1. Raw Honey: The Sticky Miracle
Okay, I know. Smearing honey on your face sounds like something a 4-year-old would do unsupervised. But I tried it—and holy hydration.
Honey is like the Beyoncé of natural skincare: it does everything. It’s anti-inflammatory, full of antioxidants, and it’s a humectant, which is just a fancy way of saying “it grabs moisture like a clingy ex.”
What I did:
Smeared raw honey on my face (yes, it felt weird), left it on for like 15 minutes while watching re-runs of The Office, then rinsed with warm water.
Result:
Soft. Like marshmallow soft. And that annoying red patch on my chin? Calmed down faster than my mom when I finally text her back.

2. Oatmeal Bath—But Not the Sad Hospital Kind
Remember those packets your mom gave you when you had chickenpox? Yeah, turns out oatmeal is still a dry-skin MVP.
I wasn’t gonna do a full bath (who has the time??), so I made a paste with finely ground oats and warm water and gently rubbed it into my arms and legs.
Why it works:
Oatmeal has saponins, which cleanse without stripping your skin, and it’s stupid soothing. Plus, you smell like a cozy morning.
Hot tip: Add a splash of milk or yogurt if you wanna feel extra.
3. Avocado Smash (for Your Face, Not Toast)
I had a very ripe avocado that was two days away from turning into mushy regret. So I mashed it up and added a bit of olive oil, because I read somewhere that it’s good for skin—and because I ran out of chips.
Avocado face mask = creamy goodness.
Fats, vitamins, antioxidants. Basically, your skin eats better than you do.
What happened:
It felt like a little blanket for my cheeks. Super hydrating, didn’t break me out, and made me briefly consider giving up my store-bought stuff. (Spoiler: I didn’t, but this still stays in rotation.)
4. Coconut Oil at Bedtime (aka Slip-N-Slide Skin)
This one is kinda divisive. Some people swear by it, others claim it clogs their pores and ruins lives. I use it only on my body—especially my shins, knees, and elbows.
At night, I melt a little coconut oil in my hands and rub it in post-shower. Then I throw on old pajamas because—warning—it will make you feel like a greased-up dolphin.
But.
The next morning? Baby skin. Actual softness. Like, stroke-your-own-leg weirdly-too-long softness.

5. Aloe Vera—Straight From the Plant if You’re Fancy
I had this dying aloe vera plant on my windowsill. And one day I was like, “Sorry lil buddy,” and sliced one of its arms open like I was in a survival movie.
I smeared the goo on my face—looked like I’d been slimed—and left it for 20 minutes.
Final verdict?
Soothing. Cool. Kinda weird-smelling, but it made my skin calm down. You know when your skin just feels mad for no reason? Aloe helped with that.
(If you don’t have a plant, bottled aloe works too—just check it’s the real deal without 72 extra ingredients.)
6. Banana Mash Mask (Yes, Really)
I was very skeptical. Bananas are for smoothies, not skincare. But one desperate Sunday night, I mashed up half a banana, mixed it with a teaspoon of honey, and slapped it on.
It dried weird. It smelled like a baby snack. But it made my face feel fresh, smooth, and not tight anymore.
Will I do it again? Maybe. Especially when my bananas go brown and I feel guilty throwing them out.
7. Olive Oil + Sugar Scrub = Life
Look. Flaky skin needs exfoliation—but not the aggressive, sandpaper kind. So I mixed a spoonful of olive oil with regular white sugar and gently scrubbed my arms.
Just a few circles. No need to attack your skin.
It was… so satisfying. My skin legit glowed afterward, and it didn’t feel stripped or angry.
Also made me want a lemon drop cookie, which was unfortunate, but that’s a me problem.
Real Talk: What Actually Helped
If you’re dealing with dry skin and feel like you’ve tried everything—I get it. I’ve been the girl frantically Googling “why does my face hate me” at 2 a.m. while scratching my shin with a spatula. (Long story.)
But these natural remedies for dry skin? They gave me some hope. And better skin. And also an excuse to wear a headband and pretend I’m in a skincare commercial while slathering banana on my face.
My favorites:
- Raw honey mask (weekly ritual now)
- Coconut oil at night
- Olive oil + sugar scrub once a week
- Aloe for “bad skin” days
Oh, and drink water. I know. It’s annoying advice. But sometimes dry skin isn’t about the outside—it’s the inside yelling “hydrate me!” like a dehydrated drama queen.
Final Thoughts of natural remedies for dry skin
You don’t need a $95 moisturizer made with unicorn tears to fix dry skin. Sometimes you just need some pantry basics and a little patience. Plus, it’s weirdly fun to play chemist with food items you’d normally eat.
Also: skin is allowed to be imperfect. It cracks, it flakes, it freaks out. That’s life. You’re still cute. https://kohopoho.com/best-face-masks-for-acne/.
Want More about natural remedies for dry skin?
If you’re into this kind of chaotic skincare experimenting, check out this hilarious piece on weird beauty hacks people swear by (some are kinda genius). Or if you wanna go deep-dive mode, this blog on eco-friendly DIY skincare routines is surprisingly soothing.
Now go raid your kitchen, glow queen.