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 Winter may be a time for cozy fireplaces and hot chocolate but as a season it can play havoc on your skin and hair. The cold temperatures can lead to dry, cracked and itchy skin that no amount of expensive creams and lotions can salvage. So what do you do if you suffer from a bad case of dry skin during winter? Surprisingly, your best options for an instant cure can be found in your kitchen cabinet.

• Baking Soda: Baking soda is an excellent substitute for harsh detergents and dish washing liquids that may be aggravating the dry itchy skin on your hands. Alternatively you can soak in a tub full of warm water with a cup of baking soda added for instant relief from itchy skin.
• Oatmeal: Oatmeal is high in vitamin E – an essential ingredient for soft supple skin. Soak in a tub of warm water and oatmeal for the best results. If you suffer from exceptionally chapped and dry hands, use oatmeal instead of soap as a natural exfoliant and moisturizer.
• Cream: Mix two teaspoons of milk cream with a teaspoon of milk and a squeeze of lime juice. Apply this to your hands and legs and leave it on for a while before you rinse it off.
• Yoghurt: Natural plain yoghurt is an antioxidant as well as an anti-inflammatory agent. Add some honey and lime to yoghurt and apply as a moisturizing pack on your skin. Leave it on for ten minutes before washing off for the best results.
• Honey: Honey is a magic ingredient because of its anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. Just heat up some honey (not too hot) and apply to your skin when still warm. Leave for ten to fifteen minutes before rinsing off.
• Aloe Vera: Use the gel from an aloe vera leaf on your hands, feet, and face to treat dry and itchy skin.
• Vitamin E: Everyone knows vitamin E is necessary for healthy skin. To get an instant dose of vitamin E, simply cut a vitamin E capsule and apply the oil all over those extra dry areas on your body.
• Glycerin: Massage your skin with a mix of glycerin and lemon juice to protect it from the elements and prevent chapped and dry skin.
• Coarse Salt: For flawless, smooth skin, rub a handful of coarse salt into your skin after a bath or shower. Rinse off for soft, flake-free skin.
• Oil: After a bath or shower, rub any type of vegetable oil into your skin to trap the moisture. Peanut oil, olive oil, coconut oil even sunflower oil will do the trick.
  

Apart from these home remedies, you should also:

• Use a humidifier to increase the levels of moisture and humidity in your home. Dry cold air is the number one cause of winter skin problems.
• Avoid long hot showers and switch to lukewarm quick baths. Contrary to popular opinion steam and hot water are not your skin’s best friends during the winter. Rather they aggravate dry itchy skin and sap it of all moisture.
• Ditch the alcohol. This includes both the kind your drink and cosmetics and products that contain alcohol as their ingredients, such as astringents and skin toners. Drinking alcohol can increase dehydration and lead to dry skin as well.
• Just because its cold does not mean that you can skip on the sunscreen. In fact, snow is an excellent reflector of the sun and can cause as much damage to the skin. Protect your skin by slathering on the sunscreen whenever you step out.
• Increase the amount of foods high in omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. These include nuts, oily fish, and flax seeds.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

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