Natural Solutions and Remedies for Dry, Flaky and Cracked Skin - I Wish I Had 20 years Ago

Head's up - this is probably my longest post, but for the person suffering with skin issues, it's a treasure trove of information. I am not saying this to toot my own horn, it's just that I wished I had had this information in one place many years ago, so here it is for you. With Love, Tara

Painful skin, no matter what the reason, can be very challenging to deal with- I know, I've been learning from my skin for over 20 years.


Dry skin is a key indicator of the Air-type Body-type. What's "Your" Body-type?
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I first recall my skin being very dry at the age of 9. It was so dry that many clothes would cause a low-grade but noticeable discomfort throughout the day. I would not wear jeans because of the burning friction they caused at my waistline and ankles especially. It was so dry that my hands and feet would crack and bleed, the only ease coming from a thick coat of oily lotion; not to heal the issue, but to create a barrier between my inflamed skin and whatever could cause increased disturbance.


My skin was so dry I avoided swimming pools for years. The chlorinated water would cause a burning sensation all over my body that did not rinse off in the shower. My first experience in the ocean was similar, only it was at least 10 times worse. What was supposed to be a joyful first experience with my beloved cousin, Grandma and Grandpa, turned into great disappointment. Fortunately, my Grandma was prepared with Corn Huskers and Coco Butter lotions. And fortunately, the rest of the trip was positively memorable!


Through the years, it became normal to walk to accommodate my dry, cracked feet; to be very uncomfortable in my own skin during the fall and winter months, to feel piercing pain when I simply washed my hands due to the cracks in my hands. As I came of age I became more determined to find my own solutions- frustrated that the professionals that I was brought to could not.


I have realized many things over the years about this condition, which has greatly improved. Mostly, I have learned to work with my own body, rather than working on it: To accept that my body leans towards having a lot of Air-type symptoms and use this as feedback and information, rather than criticizing myself, getting frustrated and judging myself unfairly. Body-Typing is the theme of my book, You-niversal Self-care.


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I am sharing some uncommon remedies, things that one may not think of or be told by specialists; in order to help anyone else out there who may be suffering such a condition.


The skin is the largest organ of the body, and traditional medicine practitioners know that there are many, many clues that the skin gives in regard to the overall condition of the body.


The skin is the outward manifestation of the intestinal system- once the same unit in the very early stages of fetal development. For this reason the skin especially indicates the condition of the digestive system, namely the intestinal tract.


There are many stories and lengthy explanations that can accompany each of these items, but for sake of space I will leave most of them out. I freely share such experiences in my classes and one-on-one sessions.


I was going to post a picture of dry, cracked skin but it was painful to just look at them. If you have dry skin you know what it looks and feels like. Instead, I'd like to share some hope. This is a photo of me with no body makeup and relatively light makeup on my face, and no photo touch-ups. This is the skin I enjoy today. I get compliments all the time, but most of all, I am free from pain!

Tara Baklund - Natural Skin Remedies - TarasBook.com

Here is a list of solutions that helped me greatly.

This is not medical advice, only a list of key things that have worked for me to heal painful skin conditions that I experienced.

• Make sure the water you bathe in is "soft" water. I currently live in Minnesota where we have iron and mineral-rich water. I find that a sediment filter also helps a great deal.

• Do an elimination diet. I found the 7-Day Detox Miracle book very helpful for this- and there are some simple remedies that are well-described in the book for natural cleansing.

• You will likely find you are sensitive to certain foods; likely gluten and/or dairy. Make a commitment to remember how good you felt when not eating these foods as motivation to no longer consume them. The more severe your original condition, the easier it is to do this. I highly recommend the book Wheat Belly for great information on the topic of gluten sensitivity.

• At this point you will be gaining more familiarity with your body, and how it reacts to natural remedies. I would go to a Naturopathic Doctor to do biofeedback to test whether you have conditions such as: Candidiasis, a low-grade bacterial or viral infection to name a few. This type of person should be able to lead you through a step by step process of cleansing and balancing the systems of the body. Some Chiropractors have this equipment and training. When in doubt, seek a referral. The right person will equip you with remedies and information that will have quick results- as long as you follow their instructions thoroughly! 

• Bathe in tepid to lukewarm water as to not strip oils from the skin. Bathe every-other-day if possible, washing key areas with a washcloth. A shallow bath also works well. Only use soap in the "pits" of the body. Avoid harsh soaps.

• Eat clean foods- as close to organic as possible, especially meat and dairy products, root vegetables and delicate fruits and vegetables like spinach and raspberries.

• Consider the metaphoric message your skin is sending. Could it be that: You feel that the barrier between you and the outside world is weak? You are not or do not feel fully nourished--of the major organs, the skin receives last priority in nourishment.

• Use only natural lotions and oils on the skin without synthetic fragrances. Could you eat it? Then you can put it on your skin. Try oils like sesame, sweet almond, jojoba, grapeseed and coconut, etc. Apply after bathing to hold in the moisture.

• Consume Earthy foods that nourish the body from the inside out. (See my book for list.)

• Your Naturopath or other natural health practitioner you are working with should at some point address digestion. Depending on your condition this may not be the first priority. It's very important that your body can digest and assimilate food well for nutrients- especially oils.

• Especially in the summer, consume cooling drinks like natural fruit juices, cucumber water and aloe (meat, not the entire filet). This may be indicated for some people year- around as some dry-skin conditions are due to internal heat. Much like hanging a wet shirt over a heat register, internal heat (a Traditional Chinese Medicine term) can similarly dry the skin.

• Be patient and kind with yourself and your skin. Be open to receiving any messages your body is giving you.

• Whether it's a Naturopath, a Chiropractor, Herbalist or other natural health practitioner, make sure they are addressing your specific body and condition, rather than running you through a "dry skin regimen" (note- This is different than if a Naturopath runs you through a biofeedback process, which tests and remedies in a particular order. Biofeedback by it's nature is an individualized treatment). Every body is different and should be addressed as so.

• Oh, and let us not forget about water! If a person is already experiencing dis-ease, it is necessary to drink even more water. Imagine you are charged with the task of cleaning a very dirty floor. This task calls for more water than a moderately dirty floor, right? Make sure you consume a minimum of 1/2 x (your body weight in pounds)= oz. of water. Not: chlorinated, fluorinated, bottled or distilled. We choose to add minerals to Reverse Osmosis water.

This is a good, basic list that will help you build a foundation for self-empowered health if you are diligent enough to explore, test, observe and explore some more.

Some of these solutions may seem almost too simple, but please don't under-estimate their importance and effectiveness.


Most of all, have compassion and love yourself along the way. Work with your body, not on it!

Wishing you well!

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