Suffering from dry skin patches? Here is the surprising ingredient you need to try for relief.
NOTE: As of April 26, 2022, I am no longer an active MIG Living ambassador.
Dry skin patches can be itchy, painful, frustrating, and hard to eliminate.
But there are several things you can try to relieve the symptoms, including using one very important ingredient in your skin care routine: farm fresh beeswax.
Yup, it’s not just for candles!
In this blog post, we’ll discuss:
- what causes dry skin;
- how to treat it;
- what makes an effective moisturizer.
Then I’ll tell you about the best moisturizer for dry skin and why you should include farm fresh beeswax in your skincare.
But First…
But before I get to that, check out these amazing before and after photos of one woman’s dry, cracked heels. This is after just five days of using only two products. Look at the difference!
**I am a MIG Living Independent Ambassador. If you click and make a purchase, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you). Read my affiliate disclosure for more info.**
What Causes Dry Skin?
Dry skin can have many causes, including allergies, eczema, and psoriasis. Other common causes are low humidity (like during the winter months), washing your hands too much, and harsh ingredients in your personal care products. And as you age, your skin becomes thinner and retains less moisture.
How Do You Treat Dry Skin?
To treat dry skin, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends several changes to your personal care routine, including:
- Showering in warm water, not hot water, and taking shorter showers.
- Washing with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser. (I use this natural, nontoxic bar soap. It’s not fragrance-free, but uses gentle essential oils.)
- Applying moisturizer immediately after showering. (I use this lotion stick while my skin is still wet!)
- Using a moisturizer that contains an oil such as olive oil or jojoba oil. The AAD states that shea butter also works well. (My lotion stick contains both olive oil and shea butter, in addition to beeswax!)
- Blotting your skin to dry. Don’t rub it with your towel!
What Makes an Effective Moisturizer?
Before I tell you more about the best moisturizer for dry skin, let’s talk about what makes a good lotion.
There are three key categories needed to make an effective moisturizer: occlusives, humectants, and emollients. I like to think of them in this way: occlusives protect; humectants hydrate; and emollients nourish.
There’s some discrepancy between which ingredients fall into which category. For example, I’ve seen beeswax described as a humectant, an occlusive, or both. I’ve seen petrolatum listed as an occlusive and an emollient. Same with coconut oil.
1. Occlusives (Protect)
Occlusives prevent water loss from the skin by forming a barrier. Beeswax is most commonly listed as an occlusive, although some people say that it’s a humectant, or both.
According to this article in The Dermatologist Magazine, applying an occlusive moisturizer immediately after bathing may help lock in moisture. And that’s exactly what I do with my lotion stick; I apply it to warm, wet skin before drying off.
I choose to avoid the most common occlusive, which is petrolatum, because it is a byproduct of petroleum refining. If the petrolatum is not properly refined, the finished product can be contaminated with toxic chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
Other common terms for petrolatum that you might see on product labels include petroleum jelly (yes, like Vaseline), paraffin oil, and mineral oil. According to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, white petrolatum is refined and safe for use, but the label must clearly indicate that it’s white petroleum. I know that dermatologists say that a petroleum jelly product like Vaseline is good for dry skin, but I choose not to use it especially when there’s a safer alternative.
2. Humectants (Hydrate)
Humectants attract water from the dermis, the second outermost layer of skin, into the epidermis, which is the top layer. If the air’s humidity is more than 70 percent, humectants will draw moisture from the air into the skin.
Some humectants can worsen dry skin if the product doesn’t also contain an occlusive to lock in moisture. Beeswax is considered by some to have both humectant and occlusive properties.
3. Emollients (Nourish)
Emollients keep your skin soft and smooth by filling in the space between skin flakes. They don’t actually moisturize, but rather nourish your skin. Common emollients are butters and lightweight oils like shea butter, castor oil, squalene, cocoa butter, jojoba oil, and argan oil.
Why Use Beeswax in Your Skin Care
Now that we’ve discussed moisturizers, let’s move on to what I consider the star ingredient: beeswax!
I’ve already discussed how beeswax can help dry skin patches by pulling in moisture and creating a protective barrier. But another reason to use beeswax in your skin care is that it is antimicrobial.
A mixture of honey, beeswax, and olive oil has been shown to be an effective treatment for eczema, psoriasis and diaper dermatitis. Another study showed that a mixture of those three substances could inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, what we commonly refer to as “staph,” and Candida albicans, which causes fungal infections like oral thrush and yeast infections.
Beeswax is also rich in Vitamin A, which helps reduce wrinkles and promote the reproduction of skin cells. (For an extra boost of glowing skin, take a daily collagen supplement containing hydrolyzed collagen type II.)
The Best Moisturizer for Dry Skin
Remember the woman from earlier with the dry, cracked heels? She uses a gentle, nontoxic soap and the beeswax lotion bar on her feet.
As soon as you finish your shower and turn off the water, massage the lotion onto warm, wet skin to lock in the moisture. Apply a small amount to wherever your skin is really dry. Pat with a towel to dry off.
If you have dry skin on your face, you need the Facial Lotion Bar made with beeswax! Use it in conjunction with the soap, this toner, and and this antioxidant serum for the ultimate skincare routine that’s simple yet incredibly effective.
Recommended Products for Body
NOTE: There are different scents for the soap and lotion bar if you don’t like lavender.
1. Gentle Cleanser
MIG Living Ritual Cleansing Bar
2. Body Lotion
Recommended Products for Face
NOTE: For kids’ faces, you can just use the soap and the facial lotion bar. Although my kids love when I spray their faces with the toner!
1. Gentle Cleanser
MIG Living Ritual Cleansing Bar
2. Non-Alcohol Toner
MIG Living Rosewater Kombucha Facial Toner
3. Antioxidant Serum
MIG Living Blackberry Leaf Serum
4. Facial Lotion
How to Purchase MIG Living Products
You can purchase MIG Living’s Facial Method products here to receive $10 off your first purchase.
Subscribe N Save: When you purchase any MIG Living products, make sure you sign up for Subscribe N Save. By placing your order on auto ship, you’ll receive 20 percent off every order and ensure you never run out of products! And don’t worry – you can pause, cancel, or move your dates any time!
Save $10 on your first order. If you purchase through my special link, you will receive $10 off your first order! This even works on top of subscribe n save!
Money-Back Guarantee: If you’re not completely satisfied with their products, MIG Living will accept any full-sized product for a return or exchange as long as it is at least half full and received within 60 days of initial purchase.
Final Thoughts on Dry Skin Patches
A little TLC and some beeswax might be just the things your dry skin needs.
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This post is about how to relieve dry skin patches.
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