9 Best Home Remedies For Flaky Skin And Prevention Tips

When it is ripped off of its natural oils or becomes very dry, flaky skin on the face starts appearing, which is far from pleasing. However, you can try basic home remedies for flaky skin to make your skin smooth and hydrated again. If left untreated, the dead cells accumulate on the skin surface and affect its texture, making it rough and bumpy. You may also end up with itchy, red, and irritated skin. Flaky skin on the scalp leads to dandruff. So, do not neglect dry and flaky skin as these issues can later lead to bigger skin problems. Scroll down to check out some home remedies to improve flaky or scaly skin.

What Does Flaky Skin Mean?

Flaky or peeling skin is the result of unintended damage to the surface of your skin that causes the loss of its upper layer. Healthy skin should have 10-20% water content. Flaky skin occurs when the natural oils produced by your skin begins to dry up and cause it to dehydrate in the process. This results in dry skin losing water 75 times more than normal skin, thereby causing the outermost layer of your skin to flake and peel away, making it sensitive.

Knowing you have flaky skin is the first step towards treating it. But how do you know you have it? Understanding its symptoms can help.

Flaky Skin Symptoms

More often than not, flaky skin symptoms manifest as dryness or could signal an underlying skin condition. Some of the common symptoms include:

• Roughness and heightened sensitivity that causes the skin to become unusually sensitive to irritants
• Skin dryness and tightness where skin often forms small, dry, white, or translucent flakes
• Mild to severe skin flaking that results in an ashy appearance
• Itchiness
• Scaling or peeling
• Red or inflamed skin caused by excessive scratching
• Fine lines
• Skin cracking and bleeding, in severe cases

Let us now dig a little deeper into what could actually be causing your skin’s oil and water content to dry up.

What Causes Flaky Skin?

A number of factors can contribute to the development of flaky skin. Some underlying diseases or conditions can also cause flaky and itchy skin. They are:

• Allergies including skin rash and redness
• Staph or fungal infections
• An immune system disorder
• Cancer
• Genetic diseases like acral peeling skin syndromeⁱ  XA condition that causes the skin from the hands and legs to peel off painlessly as a result of genetic mutations.
• Athletes foot
• Eczema
• Dermatitis
• Psoriasis
• Ringworm
• Environmental changes like changing place or temperature
• Hormonal changes

In a study conducted on 48,630 individuals, 29.4% of participants reported having dry skin. Most common skin conditions noted for dry, flaky skin include atopic dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis. Dry, flaky skin is a very common condition and needs special attention, so try the remedies given to manage dry and flaky skin better.

Other factors that can contribute to flaky skin are:

• Cold weather
• Forced-air heat
• Lack of humidity
• Cancer treatments like radiation therapy
• Certain topical medications like retinoids
• Hot baths
• Heated pools
• Harsh skin cleansers

Irrespective of the cause, you can try out any of the home remedies listed below to treat flaky skin.

Home Remedies To Treat Flaky Skin

To address flaky skin on your face instantly, you can try the following home remedies:

1. Coconut oil
2. Essential Oils
3. Honey
4. Olive Oil
5. Aloe Vera
6. Vaseline
7. Apple Cider Vinegar
8. Jojoba Oil
9. Ceramide and Squalene Based Moisturizers

Natural Remedies To Treat Flaky Skin

1. Coconut Oil

You Will Need

1 tablespoon of coconut oil

What You Have To Do

1. Warm a tablespoon of coconut oil.
2. Rub the oil between your palms and apply it gently all over your face.
3. You can also apply this oil to other affected areas.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this twice daily for best results.

Why This Works

Coconut oil can help improve the hydration levels of your skin and also acts as a natural emollient (1). This can prevent your skin from peeling further and can also treat the existing flakes.

Note: Do not use it on acne-prone skin.

Rob Stuart, a holistic health expert, explains how he used coconut oil to treat eczema and itching. He recommends washing your face with warm water and then applying coconut oil daily with gentle exfoliation twice a day. He explains, “The hot water allows the coconut oil to seep deep in and the hot water mixed with the coconut oil will seep the water deep in, and hold the moisture in, thus working really well (i).

Quick Tip

If you have acne-prone skin, use argan oil instead of coconut oil. It gets absorbed into the skin easily while moisturizing it.

2. Essential Oils

a. Tea Tree Oil

You Will Need

• 3-4 drops of tea tree oil
• 1 teaspoon of coconut oil

What You Have To Do

1. Add three to four drops of tea tree oil to a teaspoon of coconut oil.
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2. Mix well and apply it all over the affected area.
3. Leave it on until it dries completely.

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this 1 to 2 times daily.

Note: Always mix essential oil with carrier oil because essential oils are highly potent and concentrated and can cause an allergic reaction.

Why This Works

The anti-inflammatory properties of tea tree oil can help soothe skin conditions like eczema that could be responsible for causing your skin to flake (2).

3. Honey

You Will Need

½ tablespoon of honey

What You Have To Do

1. Take half a tablespoon of honey.
2. Apply it evenly to the affected skin.
3. Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes before washing it off.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this twice daily.

Why This Works

Honey exhibits soothing and emollient effects that can help in treating flaky skin. It is also widely used in creams and other formulations to treat various skin conditions like dermatitis and psoriasisⁱ  XA skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, most commonly on the knees, elbows, trunk, and scalp. that are known to trigger flaky skin (3).

4. Olive Oil

You Will Need

Olive oil (as required)

What You Have To Do

1. Take a little olive oil in your palms.
2. Apply it evenly all over your face.
3. You can also apply olive oil to other affected areas.

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this once daily, preferably before bedtime.

Why This Works

Like coconut oil, olive oil also does a wonderful job of keeping your skin moisturized because it contains phenols that exhibit skin barrier repair effects (4). Hence, olive oil can help heal flaky skin.

5. Aloe Vera

You Will Need

Fresh aloe vera gel (as required)

What You Have To Do

1. Take a little aloe vera gel and apply it all over your face.
2. You can also apply it to the other affected areas in an even layer.
3. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes before rinsing it off.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this once daily.

Why This Works

Aloe vera is a popular remedy used to treat many skin conditions. Its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties can treat flaky skin and as well as the inflammatory skin conditions that could be causing it (6).

6. Vaseline (Petroleum Jelly)

You Will Need

Vaseline (as required)

What You Have To Do

1. Apply a very thin layer of Vaseline to the affected areas.
2. Leave it on overnight or until it dries completely.
3. Reapply as necessary.

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this multiple times daily as per your requirement until your skin heals completely.

Why This Works

Vaseline has excellent moisturizing properties and can form a protective layer on your skin (7). This can help treat dry and flaky skin.

7. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid. The pH-balancing properties of acetic acid can help treat dry, flaky, and inflamed skin (8).

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar
• 8 teaspoons of water
• Cotton pads

What You Have To Do

1. Mix a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with eight teaspoons of water.
2. Soak a cotton pad in this mixture and apply it all over your face.
3. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes and rinse it off with water.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this once daily.

Why This Works

The pH balancing properties of apple cider vinegar can help alleviate symptoms of dry, flaky, and inflamed skin.

8. Jojoba Oil

You Will Need

Jojoba oil (as required)

What You Have To Do

1. Take some jojoba oil in your palms.
2. Apply a thin, even layer on your face and other affected areas.
3. Leave it on until it dries completely.

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this 1 to 2 times daily.

Why This Works

Jojoba oil possesses multiple benefits when it comes to skincare. From helping in the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions to acting as a moisturizer, jojoba oil does it all (9). Thus, it is an excellent remedy for flaky skin.

You can also follow these tips to protect your skin from flaking further.

9. Moisturizers With Ceramides Or Squalene Oil

You Will Need

Moisturizer containing ceramides or squalene oil

What You Have To Do

1. Clean your face and pat it dry gently.
2. Apply the moisturizer with the tips of your fingers evenly on the skin.

How Often You Should Do This

Apply it to clean and washed skin twice a day. This will heal your chapped skin and prevent further cracking.

Why This Works

Ceramides and squalene are a part of our skin’s natural moisturizing factors. Using creams or lotions with these helps repair the weak skin barrier and reduce the skin flaking (10), (11).

Quick Tip

Other natural ingredients to add to face masks to reduce flaky or dry skin are avocado, shea butter, cocoa butter, mango butter, unflavored yogurt, mayonnaise, and cucumber paste.

Prevention Tips

• Use a gentle cleanser to cleanse your face.
• Exfoliate your skin regularly.
• Keep your skin moisturized.
• Drink enough water to keep your skin hydrated.
• Quit smoking tobacco.
• Limit alcohol intake.
• Wear a scarf to protect your face in extreme climates.
• Avoid taking hot baths. Instead, opt for lukewarm baths.
• Always use sunscreen.

Infographic: 5 Easy Home Remedies For Flaky Skin

Dealing with dry and flaky skin can be a difficult task. You have to deal with itchiness, redness, rough and patchy skin, not to mention the continuous shedding of the dry skin layer. If you need some help in managing the condition, check out the infographic below for 5 simple home remedies.

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Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for flaky skin to heal?

If you follow your treatment regimen regularly, you will notice an improvement in your skin in just a couple of days. If there is no improvement in your symptoms, consult your doctor immediately.

What does it mean when your skin starts to peel?

Your skin can start peeling for a number of reasons. Certain skin conditions, infections, or even an immune system disorder could be causing your skin to peel.

What is the best moisturizer for dry, flaky skin on the face?

There are many excellent moisturizers in the market like Cetaphil and Aveeno. However, if you are looking for natural alternatives, any of the above remedies will do the trick.

Can stress make your skin dry?

Yes, stress can disrupt the skin barrier function which can lead to inflammation and flaky skin (12). This can exacerbate the symptoms of various skin conditions like psoriasis and rosacea (13).

What causes flaky skin in the elderly?

Studies indicate that aging causes a decrease in blood supply and nutrients to the skin and reduced lipid production. This process weakens the skin barrier, leading to flaky skin in the elderly (14).

Dry, flaky skin on the face can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. Watch the video below to learn the causes of dry skin along with the treatments, routine, and diet tips to manage this condition from a certified expert. Check it out now!

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Dr. Saloni Vora-GalaMBBS, DDV

     

Dr. Saloni Vora-Gala has over 8 years of experience in the field of dermatology and cosmetology, managing and treating common skin, hair, and nail-related issues as well as social issues like leprosy and venereological diseases. She has expertise in fillers, Botox, skin boosters, thread lifts, anti-aging lasers, tightening and body contouring therapies, various lasers for hair reduction, treatments for pigmentation,...more

Shaheen NaserHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Shaheen holds a postgraduate degree in Human Genetics and Molecular Biology from Bharathiar University. She is a Geneticist with proficiency in Biotechnology, Immunology, Medical Genetics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Genetic Counseling. Her passion for writing and her educational background have assisted her substantially in writing quality content on topics related to health and wellness for over three years. In her free...more

Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy. She has taken it upon herself to show...more

Monomita ChakrabortyBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach with a keen interest in skin, hair, tattoos, nail art, and lifestyle trends. Her passion for and understanding of all things related...more