Dry skin is no joke. Whether you were born with it or it’s the result of ageing or happened due to underlying skin conditions or side effects of medications (yes, it’s a real thing), it can be extremely uncomfortable.
But discomfort is just one of the issues with dry skin. Dry skin can lead to a damaged skin barrier, premature ageing, and can become cracked and infected (because a damaged barrier exposes your body to the microbes in the environment) resulting in more skin concerns. Therefore, taking good care of dry skin is vital to achieving smooth and supple skin.
Of course, there are tons of lotions, serums, and moisturisers available in the market that specifically target dry skin but we are here to discuss natural ingredients for dry skin. Here we go:
Coconut Oil:
Nothing gets more natural Indian remedy than coconut oil for dry skin (or scalp & hair), and for good reason. Coconut oil works as an emollient. What are emollients, you ask?! Emollients are substances that occupy the inter-cell spaces i.e., the space in between the skin cells, they form a film on top of the skin, trapping in moisture & resulting in a smooth surface.
And because of the soothing (and edible) nature of coconut oil, you can use it on almost all parts of your body. That means you can use it on your face, around lip and eye areas as well and is a much better alternative to petroleum jelly. So if you want to use it to replace your lip balm, you can go right ahead.
Aloe Vera:
Okay, this skin superhero needs no introduction. Just think about it, this plant was designed to survive the dry, harsh and hot deserts! Aloe Vera gel has been known to help with sunburns, burns and whatnots because it has skin soothing, healing and calming properties.
These are all the reasons it is perfect for people suffering from dry skin since it gets damaged easily which then leads to irritated, inflamed, and on occasions infected skin. Dry skin needs something that will not just moisturise and hydrate it but also something that will help heal it. Aloe Vera is perfect for that job and has no side effects.
Panthenol:
It is also known as provitamin B5. You can find it in a lot of skincare, haircare as well as makeup products. It is a humectant that is, it attracts water into the skin and holds it in, as well as works as an emollient to soften & smoothen the skin.
Panthenol is also great for healing the damaged skin since it activates the production of cells that are vital for wound healing, and skin barrier strengthening. Given that it is a precursor to Vitamin B5, it works well even for people with sensitive skin.
If you are looking for products that contain Panthenol (like Put Simply’s cleanser & moisturiser) you can read the label looking for Panthenol, Provitamin B5, butanamide, and d-pantothenyl alcohol - since they are all the same (just with more complicated names).
Centella Asiatica:
You may be more familiar with its other name - Gotu Kola. You will find this ingredient in all of Put Simply’s products because it is a powerhouse of skin benefits. From soothing the skin to healing it and helping fade scars, it does everything.
It has an active ingredient called madecassoside that not only improves skin hydration but also reduces inflammation. If that weren’t enough, it offers protection against pollution & UV rays and also has anti-ageing benefits.
You probably see why we have added it to all our products. Oh, and it also offers a major barrier boost so it works miracles for dry, dehydrated and damaged skin.
Moisturising foods:
Yeah, you read that right. You can help your dry skin by eating the right foods. What are we talking about?! Well, we are referring to antioxidant and omega-3 fatty acid-rich food. In case you didn’t know, dry skin means it’s exposed to the environmental elements that can escalate the skin damage faster than the body can repair.
Thankfully, antioxidant-rich foods like blueberries, tomatoes, carrots, beans, peas, and lentils can help with repairing the damage caused by such exposure. Similarly, foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids like kidney beans, walnuts, chia seed and flaxseed can help repair the damaged dry skin. Also, getting plenty of water helps with hydration.
Japanese Mugwort: 
Japanese Mugwort (also known as Artemisia Princeps) has been dearly loved by those who prioritise skin barrier, hydration and moisture i.e., Korean & Japanese skincare culture. It’s massive there! This anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing plant is a boon for dry, damaged & sensitised skin.
The reason for its popularity is that Mugwort has multiple benefits. It has been found to promote the skin proteins that are responsible for healthy barrier function resulting in hydrated & smoother skin. It also works to decrease inflammation and protect the skin against free radical damage.
That’s why you will find that this ingredient has made its way in most high end skincare products (in addition to Put Simply’s cleanser) that restore and repair the skin. In addition to dry skin, it’s especially great for people who suffer from skin issues like rosacea, eczema, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and even acne.
There you go! Now you are armed with the knowledge of multiple natural, safe, easy to get your hands on options for your dry and parched skin. You can use them alone, though they work best if combined and along with religious use of WaterDam(n) moisturiser.
It too is made with natural skin healing, moisturising and hydrating ingredients that are perfectly suited for dry skin and will restore the skin to its plump and bouncy glory.