Dry hands are a common skin concern that nearly everybody experiences at some point in their life. Though generally not concerning, dry hands (and the itching and tightness that often accompany them) can be frustrating to deal with. The severity of the dryness depends on a multitude of factors and can range from minor discomfort to extreme irritation.
While applying lotion or hand cream is the most obvious solution when you’re dealing with dry skin, there are a few other things you can do to help protect your hands and prevent irritation. Ahead, we’ll answer common questions about dry skin on your hands and provide our best tips and tricks to keep skin soft, smooth, and hydrated all year round.
Why Are My Hands So Dry?
How Can I Treat Extremely Dry Hands?
Lock In Moisture
Using a lightweight lotion every day can help to keep your skin hydrated and looking its best. For minor dryness (or to help prevent dry hands altogether), a mild body cream such as the aloe vera-infused Deluxe Hand & Body Lotion may be enough to keep skin soft. After showering, apply a generous amount to your hands and body while your skin is still damp and allow it to absorb.
For extra hydration, particularly if you wash your hands often or live in a colder climate, we recommend a thicker formula, such as Richly Hydrating Scented Hand Cream. This creamy hand lotion features shea butter and vitamin E to lock in moisture for soft, smooth hands. You can use it following a shower, after washing your hands, or anytime your skin feels tight or dry. Aim to use it at least once per day to keep your skin soft, smooth, and well-hydrated.
Choose Your Soap Wisely
One of the most common causes of dry hands is something you do every day, multiple times a day: wash your hands. Hot water and harsh soap can dehydrate the skin and strip it of its natural oils.II Protect your hands by turning down the temperature (lukewarm water is best) and reaching for a mild hand soap, such as our classic Liquid Hand Soap. This gentle cleanser is formulated with soothing aloe vera and vitamin E to thoroughly cleanse the skin without over-drying. Head on over to our article, How to Wash Your Hands Without Drying Out Your Skin, for our detailed guide on keeping your hands soft when you’re soaping up frequently.
Protect Your Palms
As winter approaches and the weather starts to dip, you’ll likely experience some degree of hand dryness within the coming months. Using a hand lotion for dry hands can help restore lost moisture and instantly smooth and soften hands. Our bestselling Ultimate Strength Hand Salve is a heavy-duty moisture treatment for severely dry hands that can help keep hands looking and feeling healthy. The thick, rich formula contains a blend of softening botanical oils and squalane to soften skin and form a "glove-like" protective barrier against moisture loss without feeling greasy.
You can use it as a daily treatment to soothe scaly skin or as an effective overnight treatment for dry hands. Before hitting the sheets, apply a generous layer of the rich salve and slip on a pair of breathable cotton gloves. The gloves will help lock in moisture (and keep the treatment from rubbing off on your sheets) for super-soft, smooth, hydrated hands.
Exfoliate Weekly
Using an exfoliating treatment to slough off dead skin can help ensure your hydrating hand lotions and creams can effectively penetrate the skin. We recommend Gently Exfoliating Body Scrub, which boasts a blend of naturally-derived abrasives, including crushed apricot seeds, to gently yet thoroughly buff away dead skin. It also contains shea butter and cocoa butter to promote softer, smoother skin. Simply apply a small amount to clean hands and massage it in, focusing on dry, cracked areas. After washing off, lock in moisture with the hydrating hand cream of your choice.
We recommend exfoliating at least once a week for the best results, but if your skin responds well, you can increase the frequency to a few times a week—just make sure to follow up with a hand cream for dry skin.
Repair and Restore
Like most things in skincare, prevention and protection are easier to accomplish than repair and correction. But even if you take near-perfect care of your hands, you might still deal with extreme dryness every once in a while, especially in the winter. To correct severe dryness—think cracking, peeling, itching, and scaling—reach for a heavy-duty hand treatment with hydrating ingredients, like Intensive Treatment and Moisturizer for Dry or Callused Areas. This soothing, ultra-thick formula contains shea butter, cocoa butter, and avocado oil to restore the most parched, damaged skin. Apply it whenever your hands need serious TLC.
Sources:
I.Cleveland Clinic Staff. "Dry Skin." Cleveland Clinic. 13 May 2020. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16940-dry-skinitchy-skin.
II.Mayo Clinic Staff. "Dry Skin." Mayo Clinic. 20 Aug 2019. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-skin/symptoms-causes/syc-20353885.
