When it comes to facial products, we’d all love to bathe in
SK-II and schmear
La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Cream all over ourselves, but even if you do have Jennifer Aniston money, these high-end products don’t necessarily do the trick for those dealing with breast cancer and the treatments that often destroy skin.
When bodies and cells and everything in between are being ravaged by the harsh realities of chemo and radiation, skin can become extremely dry. So much so that it actually becomes fragile.
Thankfully, the right ingredients may be able to restore the skin’s soft, smooth texture — and you don’t have to look any further than what sits in your kitchen cupboards.
Using nothing more than the items you have in your everyday meals, you can create moisturizing face masks that can soothe irritated skin. Or try adding oils or oatmeal to your bath. And that’s just for starters.
Dermatologist Sandra Marchese Johnson, MD, of Fort Smith, Arkansas’ Johnson Dermatology tells us, “Olive oil is my favorite at-home remedy.”
She goes on to say, “Grapeseed oil is another great skin care ingredient,” noting that adding it to bathwater or applying after showers allows the oil to naturally and effectively hydrate dry skin.
In fact, Johnson believes “anything bland and plain and greasy” is a good way to moisturize skin.
Other home remedies include adding milk to the bath as a dry-skin cure-all. Johnson insists milk has the same effect as lactic-acid products that are used to treat dry skin, such as AmLactin and Lac-Hydrin.
Another kitchen item that helps to bathe in is oatmeal. Drugstore products such as Aveeno contain oatmeal for moisturizing and, according to Johnson, the brands you’ll find located next to your pancake mix work just as well.
For an all-around soothing face mask to hydrate the skin, Fran E. Cook-Bolden, MD, dermatologist and director of the Skin Specialty Group and the Ethnic Skin Specialty Group in New York City, suggests a butter mask as a helpful at-home remedy:
- 1 teaspoon of softened butter
- 1 teaspoon of water
- Blend both ingredients and apply to the face
- Leave on for 15 – 20 minutes
- Rinse off with warm water
Dr. Cook-Bolden believes an avocado facial mask is an excellent remedy for dry skin. She asks patients to, “Mash the meat of the avocado into a creamy texture. Apply it to the face and leave it on for 15 – 20 minutes. Rinse off the avocado with warm water and then splash the face with cold water to close pores.”
If you like that, take a look at Cook-Bolden’s recipe for a Banana Face Pack:
- 1/2 cup of naturally Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 1/4 of a ripe banana
- Mash all ingredients and apply to the face and neck
- Let sit for 10 minutes
- Rinse off (first warm water then cold)
Funny enough, the great and powerful Dr. Oz lists this Banana Face Pack recipe as a natural botox fix.
Finally, you’re probably aware that if you burn or cut yourself, the best homeopathic band-aid is the juice from aloe vera. Or perhaps you’ve used this spikey rosette for a sunburn in the past. Well, it’s no different when it comes to soothing dry skin.
Studies have shown that aloe gel might be effective in treating psoriasis, seborrhea, dandruff, as well as radiation-induced skin injuries.
There’s no secret to getting all you can from this plump and and juicy plant: Simply keep a potted aloe vera plant in your house, break off one of the leaves and slice it open to reveal the sticky, syrupy juice and gently rub on to soothe dry or irritated skin.
Doctors agree that when you’re looking through your arsenal of kitchen products, just be sure to look for emollients that are rich, creamy and greasy. Save the fancy stuff for your spa days.
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