10 Hacks for Soothing Your Dry, Itchy Skin

Regardless of the season and weather, are you always scratching your elbows and ankles more than you'd like to admit? It can feel like the second you wake up, all the moisture has been sucked from your body — leaving itchy arms and legs behind. For the rest of the day, you're furtively scratching that annoying little spot while no one is looking. You've heard of some natural remedies for dry skin, but those seem like a lot of DIY that you're not prepared for. So, what's the trick to soothing itchy skin?

You have some hand cream your grandmother gave you stashed somewhere deep in your purse, and you keep applying lip balm, but nothing seems to fix your irritated face, arms, and legs. You hope your dehydrated skin isn't going to start shedding onto that all-black outfit that was such a good idea before the Serengeti Desert decided to take human form — and that intense scratching isn't doing your angry skin any favors.

First things first: Relax. These are the products that have your back when it comes to soothing that dry, itchy skin. So grab a cup of tea, run yourself a bath, pull on some fuzzy socks, and get ready to feel 100-percent better. After you've indulged in these ten treatments for itchy skin, you'll be back to your happy, hydrated self in no time.

Use An All-Purpose, Anti-Itch Herbal Salve

Bios Apothecary Anti-Itch Herbal Salve, $14, Amazon

There is one all-purpose product that you need to have in your bag at all times: Bios Apothecary Anti-Itch Herbal Salve. This herbal salve is the quick fix for all itchy skin needs, thanks to its 100-percent antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-fungal formula that's infused with marjoram essential oil. Apply it to your lips, cuticles, elbows, knees, face, and anywhere that needs a little relief.

Soak Yourself In Spring Water

Avene Thermal Spring Water Spray, $15, Amazon

Avene Thermal Spring Water is an Amazon No. 1 New Release in facial toners because the mist is so fine, it won't make your makeup run. Specially created to soothe red complexions and clinically proven (by more than 300 studies) to restore skin's natural balance, this spray could be irritated skin's worst enemy. Spring water works for dry, irritated skin and more severe conditions like psoriasis, ichthyosis and burns — just spray it on your face and body whenever you want a little extra moisture.

Give Your Moisturizer An Aqua Bomb Boost

Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb, $50, Amazon

Even if you already moisturize before applying your makeup, the Belif Aqua Bomb cream's heavy-duty hydration is a necessity in the winter. Napiers aqua formula fully replenishes skin — but stays light enough to be worn underneath foundation. One user even substitutes her aqua bomb for night cream, as it's the only cream that leaves her skin silky smooth with no oily trace.

Fix Cracked Cuticles Without Soaking, Peeling, or Nipping

Deborah Lippmann Cuticle Treatment Therapy, $45, Amazon

Having cracked cuticles can make simple things seem so painful. Take some time to treat your fingers with the Deborah Lippmann Cuticle Therapy, which was one of Allure's Best of Beauty recipients. It comes with oil, cream, and remover all made especially for your sensitive cuticles — no soaking, peeling, or nipping necessary. Thankfully, Deborah Lippmann always knows what our nails need.

Get Buttered Up with Aloe Vera and Shea Butter

Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter Body Butter, $26, Amazon

Sometimes, you just have to give your skin the relief it needs, and cover yourself in Soap & Glory Body Butter. The top-rated cream will soothe irritated skin that's already itching, and it prevents further drying damage at the same time. Users say this cream smells amazing and leaves scratchy, irritated skin velvety-soft.

Treat Your Hands to Honey and Almond Extract

L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream, $12, Amazon

While your hands are always the first place you start to feel the effects of drying seasonal changes, this L'Occitane Hand Cream is the perfect remedy. With 20 percent shea butter, honey, almond extracts, and coconut oil, its nourishing effects were recognized in InStyle's Best Beauty Buys in 2012, Harper's Bazaar Beauty Hot 100, and Essence's Readers Choice Beauty Awards in 2012. No more applying hand lotion over and over again with zero change — you'll never want to use anything else.

Keep Your Lips Free From Flakes with Vegetable Grain

Tonymoly Lip Scrub, $5, Amazon

Your lips can feel flaky when dry air hits, and that's a tough look underneath your favorite red lipstick. This Tonymoly Lip Scrub uses vegetable grain to shed dead cells, while honey replenishes any moisture lost in the process. A necessity for lovers of dehydrating matte lipsticks, this scrub will help color last longer and make lips feel fresher.

Sip On Some Skin-Rejuvenating Tea (Seriously!)

Skin Magic Tea, $35, Amazon

When all you want to do is curl up with a hot cup of tea, you can solve two problems at once! A cup of Skin Magic Tea combats itchy skin (and alleviates acne) with aloe vera, getting your body back to its smooth and replenished self. Licorice root, lotus seed extracts, and jasmine mean this medicinal tea will taste sweet going down, too.

Bathe with Soothing Colloidal Oatmeal

Aveeno Soothing Bath Treatment, $6, Amazon

The Aveeno Soothing Bath Treatment is a tried-and-true remedy for your most irritated skin because of its 100-percent natural colloidal oatmeal ingredient. Formulated as an ultra-fine powder, you can pour it out as a soap substitute for a milky bath that cleans skin as it soothes.

Keep Dry Feet from Itching with Aloe Socks

Aloe Therasoft Moisturizing Socks, $16, Amazon

When feet feel dried out and gross (especially around bedtime), don't bury the problem in your sheets. Slip these Therasoft Socks on, and snuggle up to their infusion of aloe vera, chamomile, and lavender. The socks do all the moisturizing for you, and they won't loose their calming touch after washing.

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Images: Fotolia (1); Amazon (10)