The warmer weather is here and it’s time to start getting into tank tops, bathing suits, and shorts. If you have dry skin patches that crack and peel, you may feel self-conscious and want to cover them up. You can heal dry skin patches with a few inexpensive natural remedies.

What Causes Dry Skin Patches?

Those flakey dry patches are usually caused by dry air, overexposure to wind and sun, harsh chemical soaps and detergents, and undiagnosed food allergies.

Heal Dry Skin Patches Naturally

You may be using store-bought skin cream to try to get rid of those scaly patches but it may actually be making the problem worse. Many commercial skincare products contain harmful parabens, as well as lanolin and mineral oil that can further dry out your skin.

Instead, heal your skin naturally with:

• Water

Chronically-dry skin is often a signal that you’re dehydrated. If you’re a soda-drinker, you’re not getting enough replenishing moisture. Drinking 6-8 glasses of pure, filtered water a day can correct many skin problems.

• Dry Skin Brushing

Dry skin brushing is a great way to exfoliate your skin, detoxify your body, and improve your circulation. To dry-brush your skin effectively, start from your feet and work your way up in gentle and firm circular motions. Always brush toward your heart to encourage the correct flow of lymph. Do this daily before your morning shower, concentrating on the dry patches especially.

• Baking Soda

Baking soda is an inexpensive and effective natural way to exfoliate your skin and eliminate those rough skin patches. Step into the shower and mix some baking soda with enough water to make a paste. With gentle pressure, rub the mixture onto your patches in circular motions. Leave the baking soda on for 2-3 minutes. Rinse off and shower as usual.

• Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is an excellent natural remedy for common skin problems. Raw, organic coconut oil contains lauric acid, a potent anti-viral, antibacterial compound that heals dry skin and reduces inflammation. Regular use of coconut oil helps moisturize your skin and even offers a bit of protection from the sun. Use it as an all-over moisturizer after your shower, using more concentrated amounts on the patches.

• Neem Oil

Neem oil is another great natural remedy for any type of dry or inflammatory skin condition. This oil is rich in essential fatty acids that nourish and balance your skin. Neem has been used since ancient times as a powerful antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-aging treatment. Use it directly on your dry, rough patches twice a day and watch them disappear.

Dietary Changes Help Eliminate Dry Skin Patches

Skin problems are often a sign that something is going wrong with your digestive system. You may have low stomach acid, low probiotic count or food allergies. The more junk food you eat, the more skin problems you’re likely to have. Boxed food, canned food, and instant food has little nutritional value and is stuffed full of synthetic chemicals your body can’t process.

Eating a whole-food and minimally-processed diet filled with organic fruits, vegetables, beans, meat, poultry, fish, and healthy fats like avocado, olive oil, butter, and coconut oil, will do wonders for your skin and health. You might also benefit from removing gluten and lactose products from your diet for 6-8 weeks to see if intolerance is causing your skin symptoms.

A few dietary supplements can heal your skin as well. Probiotics have been shown to improve and even cure eczema and psoriasis. Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and moisturize your skin from the inside out. Supplements containing biotin, a B-complex vitamin, can help improve the overall look and feel of your skin.

Within a few weeks of using these natural treatments, your skin should feel smoother and more even so you can be proud to show it off to the world.

Author's Bio: 

Dr. Craig A. Maxwell is an osteopathic physician who is board certified in integrative medicine, family medicine and osteopathic medicine. For more information, please visit: http://askdrmaxwell.com/.