Natural treatments for dry skin are the best choice today rather than harsh chemical treatments. As we age, our skin produces less of the natural oil that helps it retain its moisture.

Our skin has many nerve endings that provide the sense of touch and heat. The epidermis contains no blood vessels, and cells in the deepest layers are nourished by diffusion from blood capillaries extending to the uppermost layers of the dermis. The blood vessels in the dermis provide nourishment and waste removal to its own cells as well as to the epidermis.

Skin gets exposed to the elements, especially in winter, causing it to become drier. Dry skin can also be a sign of an under active thyroid. When the skin loses moisture it may crack and peel, or become irritated and inflamed.

Certain drugs, including diuretics, antispasmodics, and antihistamines, can contribute to dry skin conditions; check with your pharmacist or doctor and read the drug insert - you can get one from your pharmacist. Dry skin happens more often in the winter when the cold air outside and heated air inside cause the humidity to be low. Forced-air furnaces may make skin even drier than it already is too.

Good nutrition from living foods - foods that are alive - will help your skin from the inside out. Eating fruits that are red or orange in color will help improve your skin health and help to prevent acne. Get 20-30 minutes of sunshine daily on your arms and/or legs; sunshine triggers the body's production of Vitamin D3, which is essential to having healthy skin.

Take fewer baths or showers; they'll dry out your skin even more. Cosmetics should be used carefully because they may dry out the skin or cause allergic reactions like contact dermatitis; read the labels. Apply moisturizers just after a bath or shower, when your skin is still damp.

Dry skin contributes to fine lines and wrinkles; coconut oil helps prevent the onset by keeping the skin soft and supple. Coconut oil is very inexpensive - a great, cheap home remedy for all skin conditions. Coconut oil is the best healing, soothing, and moisturizing treatment I've found for dry skin; in fact all types of skin conditions, skin eruptions, pimples, acne, milia, irritations, cuts, burns, fungus, etc.

Use coconut oil to remove your make-up at night, like I do; it leaves a fine layer of oil to nourish your skin all night long; but better yet, apply more coconut oil. Apply coconut oil daily to your skin to heal, moisturize and soothe it.

Skin that's not clean favors the development of pathogenic organisms; the dead cells continually slough off of the epidermis and mix with the secretions of the sweat and sebaceous glands and the dust found on the skin, to form a layer on its surface. The skin supports its own ecosystem of microorganisms, including yeasts and bacteria, which cannot be removed by any amount of cleaning.

You should see the results with improved skin within a few days following these dry skin tips and suggestions. It's time to call your doctor for an appointment when all your home remedies do not relieve your dryness and itching. Call your skin doctor if dryness and itching are preventing you from sleeping.