Men often wonder how women could keep so many cosmetics products. But they don’t realize that smooth and flawless skin requires extensive care 24 hours a day. That’s what all the creams and lotions are for.
However, no matter what we do, sometimes we come face to face with something uncomfortable and embarrassing. I’m talking about peeling skin. That’s a nightmare for a woman who takes pride in her perfect appearance. You know what I mean – your skin is flaky and itching so badly that you can barely resist scratching it.
At some point, you start to ask yourself how to get rid of peeling skin. Are there any natural treatments or home remedies we can use? Well, you’ll find your answer below, if you keep on reading.
What causes skin peeling?
Our skin has three layers – epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. Usually, our body gets rid of dead skin cells without us noticing a thing. But when the top layer (the epidermis) gets damaged, many damaged skin cells are shed at once. The result is visible – your skin starts to peel.
But what could cause such damage to our skin? Well, the culprits are common irritators such as:
- Wind
- Sun
- Dryness
- Heat
- Humidity
Being exposed to these irritators frequently could result in damage to the skin and peeling. For example, when you are sunbathing without proper protection, you’ll likely get sunburn. In fact, sunburn and dry skin are some of the most common reasons for peeling skin.
But skin peeling might be the result of other conditions such as:
- Eczemas
- Allergic reactions
- Psoriasis – a skin condition in which your cells multiply too fast, leading to the appearance of red patches, covered with white scales
- Infections – fungi and bacteria
- Cancer
Symptoms of skin peeling
You all know how peeling skin looks like, and it’s often accompanied by rashes, redness, inflammation, and itching. In most cases, peeling skin is not a serious condition, and there are many home remedies you can use.
But if you are not sure why your skin is peeling, make an appointment with your doctor. Why? Well, in some cases skin peeling might be a symptom of an underlying medical condition.
Let’s take a look at some of the possibilities:
- Athlete’s foot – this is a fungus infection causing burning and itching between the toes and cracking/peeling skin on the feet. It’s also contagious.
- Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma – a type of skin cancer
- Jock itch – an infection caused by fungi. These fungi live on our skin, but they don’t cause issues unless exposed to too much humidity.
- Kawasaki disease – a rare condition affecting children
- Pemphigus – a skin disorder characterized by blisters on the skin
- Ringworms – another fungi infection
- Scarlet fever
- Seborrheic dermatitis – most common in people with oily skin
- Toxic shock syndrome – caused by bacteria
As you can see, skin peeling might not be as innocent as it looks like, especially if it’s severe. So don’t ignore it and visit your doctor if you don’t see improvement in a couple of days.
Home remedies for peeling skin
You can always buy over-the-counter creams and lotions for peeling skin, but why bother when there are natural treatments available? And they are easy to prepare with minimum ingredients.
However, keep in mind that some of these remedies might not be very effective for peeling skin caused by infections. Remember that if you’re experiencing muscle pain, fever, and fatigue, you should consult with a doctor.
1. Aloe Vera for soothing irritation
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I will start with the most common and widely used home treatment for peeling skin. And that’s aloe vera. This cactus plant has been used as a remedy for longer than you could imagine, called “the plant of immortality by the ancient Egyptians.
And there is no denying that aloe vera works. Numerous studies have proven its benefits for treating sunburn, eczema, and burns. Let’s see what aloe vera does for your skin:
- Acts as a moisturizer
- Speeds up healing due to its antioxidant properties
- Reduces skin inflammation
- Soothes the skin
- Minimizes scarring
For maximum results, you should mix aloe vera with another powerful antioxidant. I’ll give you a hint. You can find it in anti-wrinkle creams. Of course, I’m talking about vitamin E oil.
Necessary ingredients:
- Aloe vera gel
- Vitamin E oil
- A tablespoon
- Warm water
Process:
- Extract aloe vera gel. Use this tutorial to help you.
- Measure two tablespoons of the gel and add them to the bowl.
- Mix with some vitamin E oil.
- Use your fingers to apply the concoction to the affected spot.
- Wait for it to dry.
- Wash with warm water.
- Repeat two-three times a day for a week.
Notes: Aloe vera is an excellent choice for a peeling skin remedy because it’s effective for eczema and psoriasis. What’s also great is that you can buy an aloe vera gel or lotion if you don’t have an aloe vera plant. Just look for creams that contain 98-100% aloe vera.
2. Milk for silky skin
The next time you pour a glass of milk, remember that this delicious drink can be your ally against peeling skin. And that has been known for centuries. Remember the famous Cleopatra’s milk baths?
Let’s see what makes milk so special:
- Milk is a natural moisturizer preventing your skin from getting too dry.
- It exfoliates the skin and makes it smooth and silky to the touch.
- It soothes irritation due to the presence of lactic acid.
- Milk can lighten your skin and reduce wrinkles.
Necessary ingredients:
- Whole milk
- A washcloth
- Water
- A bowl
Process:
- Get some ice-cold milk.
- Pour some into a bowl.
- Soak a washcloth.
- Wring it out to remove the excess milk.
- Apply the washcloth to the problematic area.
- Wait 10 minutes and wash with clear water.
- Repeat two-three times a day until you see improvement.
You can also combine milk with honey for better results. Here’s how to do it:
Necessary ingredients:
- Whole milk
- Honey
- Tablespoon
- A bowl
- Warm water
Process:
- Measure two tablespoons of whole milk and one tablespoon of honey.
- Mix the two into the bowl.
- Stir well.
- Massage the concoction to the affected stop gently.
- After 10 minutes you can wash the mixture with water.
- Repeat two times a day for at least a week.
Notes: You can also try to make a milk bath. Here’s how to do it. And remember to use whole milk.
3. Cucumber hydrates the skin
You’ve probably tried a cucumber mask at least once in your life, haven’t you? Then it shouldn’t be a surprise that cucumber is useful for treating peeling skin. Since this vegetable consists mainly of water, it’s an excellent source for hydrating the skin and keeping it moist.
But that’s not all. Cucumber also contains Vitamin C, so it promotes healing. Other skin benefits of using cucumbers are:
- Cleanse acne and blemishes
- Reduce scarring
- Reverse skin aging
- Lightens the skin
- Deals with inflammation
Necessary ingredients:
- Cucumbers
- Blender
- Knife
- Warm water
Process:
- Peel a cucumber and cut it.
- Blend the pieces in the blender until you have a paste.
- Apply the cucumber paste to the affected skin.
- Wait 15-20 minutes and wash with warm water.
- Repeat twice a day for a week.
You can also mix cucumbers and aloe vera gel for maximum results.
Necessary ingredients:
- Cucumbers
- Blender
- Aloe vera gel
- Knife
- Warm water
Process:
- Peel the cucumber, cut it and put it in the blender.
- Add two teaspoons of aloe vera gel.
- Turn on the blender and mix the ingredients until you have a thick paste.
- Apply it to the damaged skin.
- After 10 minutes wash with warm water.
- Repeat once a day.
Notes: If you’re wondering how to make a cucumber face mask – read more here.
4. Olive oil nourishes the skin
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Olive oil is not something you’ll need only for cooking. It can be a valuable ally in your fight against many skin conditions. Why is that? For once, it’s rich in vitamin E, the powerful antioxidant that destroys free radicals that damage your skin.
- Moisturizes and protects the skin
- Treats inflammation
- Has anti-wrinkle properties
- Contains fatty acids which nourish the skin
Necessary ingredients:
- Extra virgin olive oil
- A microwave
- A bowl
Process:
- Pour some extra virgin olive oil in the bowl.
- Put it in the microwave.
- Warm it slightly.
- Use your fingers to massage the oil on the affected spot.
- Be thorough so that the oil can penetrate deep into the skin.
- Repeat twice a day.
For peeling skin, you can also mix olive oil and salt to remove the dead skin cells quickly.
Necessary ingredients:
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt
- Teaspoon
- A bowl
Process:
- Pour some olive oil into the bowl.
- Add two teaspoons of salt.
- Mix well.
- Apply the concoction to the skin.
- Repeat twice a week.
Notes: If you can’t afford extra virgin olive oil, you can use virgin one. But don’t buy pure olive oil because it’s not suitable due to its high acidic content.
5. Grapes exfoliate the skin
Grapes are not only delicious, but they actually have some pretty amazing health benefits. They are also an excellent option for treating peeling skin because they contain alpha hydroxyl acids (AHAs).
You’ve never heard of these acids? Well, you’ll probably find them on the ingredient list on some of your skincare creams. Just look for lactic or glycolic acid. These acids exfoliate dead skin cells and cleanse your skin.
But why bother with expensive lotions, when grapes will do the same trick?
Necessary ingredients:
- Grapes
- Juicer
- A bowl
- Clean water
Process:
- Get grapes and put them into the juicer.
- Blend well and pour into the bowl.
- Apply the grape juice on the affected area.
- Wait 30 minutes and wash the skin with clean water.
- Repeat.
Notes: Grapes are not the only fruits containing AHAs. You can also use papaya, pineapple, apples, and lemons.
6. Yogurt cleanse the skin
Just like grapes, yogurt contains AHAs, and it deals quickly with those dead skin cells that cause your troubles. What’s more:
- Moisturizes the skin and makes it more elastic
- Reduces wrinkles
- Helps with acne due to its high zinc content
- Removes blemishes thanks to the lactic acid
- It’s useful for skin infections
- Soothes sunburn
Necessary ingredients:
- Yogurt
- Honey
- A bowl
- Water
Process:
- Mix equal amounts of yogurt and honey in the bowl.
- Stir well.
- Apply to the damaged skin and rub it gently.
- Wait for it to dry and wash it off with water.
- Repeat.
You can also combine yogurt and bananas.
Necessary ingredients:
- Yogurt
- Banana
- A bowl
- Warm water
- A knife
Process:
- Peel a ripe banana and cut it in half.
- Mash half a banana in the bowl.
- Add yogurt.
- Mix well.
- Rub the mixture on the affected stop.
- Rinse with warm water after 15 minutes.
Notes: You can also make a banana and yogurt face mask. Read more here.
7. Honey is a natural moisturizer
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When it comes to skincare, honey can be of invaluable help. Just like aloe vera, it’s one of the most efficient remedies for dealing with burns. Moreover, honey draws moisture from the air and keeps the moisture where it should be.
Necessary ingredients:
- Honey
- Water
Process:
- Clean the affected spot and pat it dry.
- Get some raw honey.
- Apply it to the damaged skin.
- Wait 15 minutes.
- Wash with clean water.
Notes: Honey is also excellent for pore cleansing and as a hair conditioner.
How to prevent peeling skin?
Peeling skin is something we all would like to avoid, especially after a day spent on the beach. So what can you do? Well, here are some useful tips for you:
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water
- Take cold showers to soothe the skin
- Apply moisturizing lotions and creams
- Use sunscreen regularly to protect your skin from UV damage
- Don’t scratch the skin or you could end up with scars
- Don’t peel the skin
- Use a mild soap to prevent further irritation
- Limit hot baths
- Don’t use baking soda as an exfoliant
Peeling skin usually resolves on its own in a week or two. But these home remedies and natural treatments are an excellent choice if you’re wondering how to get rid of peeling skin quickly. And they will certainly help you avoid the nasty scars.
So what do you think about these home remedies and natural treatments for peeling skin? Have you ever tried them to get rid of peeling skin? Share your recipe in the comments.
Cory Fang
A beauty professional, Cory Fang earned her two-year diploma in Beauty and Skin Care before going on to study Reflexology, Somatology, and electrical face and body treatments.She is committed to her client's well-being, and after working at a local beauty business for three years, she went into business for herself four years ago. A proponent on peels, skin needling, facials, and basic home care, she knows what it takes to keep skin and the body healthy.
My hands would peel down to the sensitive pink skin. The dermatologist confessed that in most such cases they don’t know the cause nor the cure. As a machinist, I would flat sand stainless steel blocks from time to time. Two years later, after the fourth instance it finally dawned on me — 304 Stainless steel is mostly iron, with about 20% chromium, and 10% nickle. My conclusion was that my condition was due to an allergy to nickle.