Summer isn't quite over yet, and regardless of skin type, we’ve all experienced skin irritation at some point. Whether you’ve gotten too much sun, over-exfoliated, or just have super-sensitive skin, your beauty routine could benefit from using gentle, soothing ingredients. Often derived from plants, skin-soothing ingredients help to calm signs of irritation like redness and itchiness. So when you’re dealing with dry, itchy skin, try these all-natural skin-soothing solutions:

Commonly known as an after-sun savior, aloe vera is a cactus plant whose leaves contain skin-soothing gel. Aloe vera-based products are widely available, including pure aloe vera gel from the drugstore. But, if you have this plant at home, you can split the plant leaf and apply the sap directly to your skin for an easy, at-home beauty remedy.

Oatmeal is used in daily moisturizers and face masks to calm irritation. Finely ground oats, known as colloidal oatmeal, can be found at the drugstore, but you can easily make them at home. Using a food processor or coffee grinder, blend oats into a smooth, fine consistency. Add the powdered oats into a warm bath to soothe skin or into this face mask, from Spa From Scratch:

Skin-Soothing Colloidal Oatmeal Mask

Ingredients

1 tbsp colloidal oatmeal
1 tbsp plain yogurt
½ tbsp raw honey

Directions

1. Pour colloidal oatmeal into a small bowl and stir in yogurt and honey, creating a paste.
   2. Cleanse face with warm water, then apply the mixture to your face using a gentle circular pattern.
   3. Leave on for 10 minutes, then remove with lukewarm water and a washcloth.
   4. Apply your favorite moisturizer.

Honey has historically be recognized around the world for its healing properties. Ancient Greeks and Egyptians used honey to treat skin wounds and burns by applying it topically.¹ The uses of honey in traditional medicine are still significant today, and it’s even used in cosmetic skincare products.

Plants have been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. Flowers, especially, have been shown to have antioxidant properties.² Botanical beauties like roses are used in skin care products today to help gently soothe your skin. A recent study has found that rose petal extract can help with skin inflammation after sun exposure and is thought to be due to its strong antioxidant effects.²

Green tea has been shown to have antioxidant properties which can help protect cells from free radical damage which can often lead to aging effects of the skin.³ Green tea extract is often used in sheet masks, lotions, toners, and other cosmetics to help soothe skin. Since green tea is widely available at grocery stores (and perhaps already in your cupboard), you can easily make your own homemade skin care recipes. Try this easy green tea compress to help soothe sensitive skin without breaking the bank:

Ingredients

1 tsp organic loose-leaf green tea
Hot water

Directions

1. Steep green tea leaves in hot water and allow to completely cool.
2. Once cooled, strain the leaves and save the liquid.
3. Soak a clean cloth in the tea and place on skin for 5-10 minutes.

When it comes to soothing dry, irritated skin, look no further than Mother Nature. Natural, plant-based ingredients are great to gently alleviate mild skin irritation. It’s true what they say — nature knows best!

Medical Disclaimer: This content is created and published for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard the advice of a healthcare professional, or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article.

References:

¹McLoone, P. et al. (2016). Cent Asian J Glob Health. 5(1): 241.

²Myung-hee, L. et al. (2018). Food Sci. Nutr. 6(8): 2560-2567.

³Prasanth, M.I. et al. (2019). Nutrients. 11(2): 474.