5 Natural Remedies to Help Soothe Irritated Skin

1. Water, Water and More Water

My first go-to is making sure I'm drinking enough water. I find it helps with just about anything and everything when my skin is acting up, though this is especially the case when the issue is specifically dryness or acne.

Water helps to hydrate the skin and helps to prevent dehydration lines that can crop up on the face, which look a bit like wrinkles.

While it varies from person to person, I try to get at least 3 liters of water daily, though even more if my skin is looking a little rough.

2. Find Your Beauty Food

For me, I tend to avoid foods that can cause me inflammation, such as gluten, dairy and sugar on a regular basis. I find that these can cause acne as well as a host of other skin issues.

When I keep to a primarily plant-based diet, my skin glows.

That said, when my skin is acting up, I go to my favorite "beauty foods" which are the foods I know make my skin feel and look its best.

My favorites are:

• Papaya — I love this fruit because it's packed with vitamin A, which can potentially help reduce your risk of developing acne and vitamin E, which can help you to maintain your skins appearance and overall health. It's also rich in vitamin C, which can help to promote collagen production.

• Kale — This green leafy veg contains vitamin C and lutein, a carotenoid and antioxidant that can potentially help with dryness.

• Avocado — I opt for this delicious fruit for its good fats, which can make your skin feel more supple.

Find your own beauty foods by taking note of what you're eating when your skin is looking its best.

3. Sleep It Off

Getting a sufficient amount of Zzz's is a must, especially if my skin is not looking its best — roughly seven to nine hours a night.

Whether it's brightness or acne, getting a good night's sleep has the potential to help with these concerns. Remember: A sleep-deprived body is a stressed out body, and a stressed out body will release cortisol. This can result in everything from fine lines to acne.

What's more, your skin generates new collagen while you sleep, which can help to prevent premature aging. So before you give the bone broth trend a whirl, you should try to improve your sleep habits first.

4. Sweat It Out

I love a good sweat, especially if acne or pimples are the main issue. While it may seem counterintuitive to sweat — either through exercise or even an infrared sauna — your pores open up and release the buildup inside of them. This can help to prevent breakouts.

Much like getting enough sleep, working out also has the added skin benefit of lowering stress, which can result in less cortisol production.

5. Use Natural Products

When my skin is acting up with signs of dryness or acne, I love using honey-based products, or even just straight honey as a remedy.

This ingredient is great because it's not only antibacterial and antimicrobial, but also humectant — moisturizing — as well!

Often I'll make a honey-based mask at home that I'll leave on for 30 minutes before washing it off.

The Bottom Line

Everything is connected, so if your skin is acting up, it's trying to tell you something.

For this reason I like to take a more holistic approach to helping my skin heal. So next time your skin is having a rough time, consider adding one or two of these ideas to your daily routine.