Do you have very dry hands? What to do if the usual creams and lotions do not help, and the skin condition worsens every day? Fortunately, there are very simple remedies and very affordable procedures that will heal, protect and soften rough, cracked skin.
Why do cracks appear on my hands?
Everyone knows that hands are badly affected by bad weather, excessive moisture, dirt, chemicals, and sunlight. But what exactly leads to their deterioration?
The most common cause of dryness and cracks is a violation of the normal functioning of the upper layer of the skin, which should naturally retain moisture and rejuvenate itself. However, frequent or too long exposure to sunlight, cold air, wind, dirt, chemicals and many other factors gradually damage this layer, leading to a loss of moisture retention capacity. Damaged skin also becomes more susceptible to contaminated environments and ultraviolet radiation, accelerating the aging process of cells.
Risk factors
The factors that cause the skin to dry on its hands and crack its upper protective layer are listed below. It:
- Dry air. In regions with an arid climate, as well as during the cold winter months, even the air dries the hands, depriving them of their natural moisture.
- Water. If your profession involves frequent hand washing or immersion in water for a long time, moisture loss is inevitable: water flushes a layer of protective moisturizing fatty oils from the surface of the skin, and even regular cosmetologist services are not always effective.
- Chemicals. If you work daily with chemicals or regularly use synthetic detergents and cleaning products to clean the apartment, your hands may dry out very much. Chemicals not only wash away moisture-retaining natural fats from the skin, but also damage the upper layer, leaving the skin vulnerable to any negative environmental factors.
- Soap. If your skin is constantly dry, the causes of discomfort most likely include regular use of traditional bar soap. In addition, most modern cleaning products and various types of special soap for hands also violate the integrity of the skin, slowing down normal recovery processes and leading to the appearance of bleeding cracks.
- In addition to the above factors, skin diseases (such as, for example, eczema and psoriasis), exposure to allergens, and the use of certain medications that can lead to such a problem as very dry skin of the hands should also be mentioned.
What to do? Simple Ways to Improve Your Hands
- If possible, refuse to use soap. Avoid formulas with synthetic fragrances, flavors, preservatives, and sulfates — they all cause dryness. Strongly foaming and antibacterial compounds can also deprive the skin of its natural fats. Try to choose moisturizing hygiene products and rinse your hands very carefully each time.
- Moisturize your skin. Appropriate creams, lotions and natural formulations (discussed below) should be used after each hand wash. Carry your favorite product with you everywhere, including to visit and to work. Try natural coconut oil - it is quickly absorbed, leaves no greasy residue and stickiness, and effectively softens the skin after the negative effects of sunlight.
- Avoid hot air dryers. Hot air hand dryers are becoming increasingly popular as they save money and do no harm to the environment, but drying with this method can lead to cracks over time. If your hands are already very dry, what should you do in this case? Do not use the appliance - it’s better to dry the drops of water with toilet paper (it’s important not to rub it, but gently pat it on the skin) or just shake it well with your hands, then be sure to apply a moisturizing lotion on them.
- Wear gloves. You may have taken care of your skin condition and you already have a special pair of gloves, but people tend to forget about new habits. Remember, however: prevention is the best treatment, and therefore gloves should be worn to protect your hands every time you work in the garden or just wash the dishes. The best choice of material is cotton, for work in the fresh air - leather. Do not buy vinyl gloves: they only contribute to dryness.
Scrub
Many people have become accustomed to using facial scrub, but few remember their hands, hoping for store cream, oil, cosmetologist services or the simple, but often incorrect, principle “time heals”. Meanwhile, the skin on the hands, especially on the back of the palms, is very thin, fragile and vulnerable, and even more than some parts of the face. Using scrub (home peeling) allows you to get rid of old, dry and dead skin cells in time, so that new cells can take their place. If you have very rough calloused skin, try rubbing it with a pumice stone after a shower or bath. However, pumice is not suitable for everyone. What if your skin is extremely sensitive, albeit very dry? What to do? A good solution to the problem is a regular face scrub designed for sensitive skin. You can make your own, completely home-made procedure: pick up a couple of tablespoons of sugar, pour a little olive oil in it and rub your palms and their backs well to get rid of dead cells. This sugar scrub can be used up to four times a week, depending on the needs of your skin. Immediately after peeling, a moisturizer or lotion must be applied.
Day and night
Damaged hands need the most intense hydration, so ideally they should be looked after throughout the night. Apply the thickest cream or mask, jojoba oil or vitamin E and sit in a hot bath before going to bed. Better yet, put cotton gloves or woolen socks on your wet hands and go to bed. In the morning, do not forget to rinse your hands and fingers.
Use a humidifier. It will be especially useful in the winter; year-round, it should be included in regions with an arid climate. It is best to install the unit in the bedroom so that it works during your sleep.
Folk remedies
Of course, you can buy a balm or cream for dry skin (reviews describe as the most effective Neutrogena, "Ultra-hydration" from Garnier, "SOS-restoration" from Nivea, Lipikar Xerand from La Roche Posay) in a store or pharmacy, but you can not predict in advance Which composition is best for your skin. Many ingredients of finished cosmetics (such as perfumes, preservatives and thickeners) do not improve the condition of the hands, but, on the contrary, contribute to increased dryness. If this problem has affected you too, try traditional skin care products that have been tested by time and by many generations of people.
Olive oil
Olive oil contains many antioxidants and beneficial fatty acids that improve skin condition. It can be used to treat not only the hands, but also the face, as well as the whole body.
- You use a moisturizer, but you still have very dry hand skin. The treatment in this case will be as follows: apply a thin layer of extra virgin olive oil under your favorite cosmetic product.
- About half an hour before taking a shower, rub a little oil on hands, feet and other areas with dry skin and massage gently. Take a shower, then apply a mild moisturizer.
- Mix two tablespoons of olive oil with four tablespoons of fine brown sugar and a spoonful of honey. Such a scrub is good to use before a shower.
Cream
The lactic acid contained in the cream serves as a natural exfoliant. If your skin is dry on your hands and cracking, despite all your efforts, use regular cream of medium fat content instead of purchased moisturizers. In addition to deep hydration, they help maintain a fragile pH balance in the skin of the hands.
- Mix a few drops of lemon juice, a teaspoon of milk and two teaspoons of cream. Rub the resulting product into the skin of your hands and feet. Leave it as a mask for a while (thirty minutes will be enough), then take a shower. This procedure can be repeated every day.
- Take four tablespoons of chickpea flour and add enough cream to make a thick paste. This is an excellent mask for dry skin of the hands, which can also be applied to the legs and even to the face. Leave it on for fifteen minutes and then rinse with warm water.
Honey
Honey is considered one of the most effective natural moisturizers, as it helps to retain moisture in the skin, has an antimicrobial effect and contains antioxidants. If you have dry skin, there is no reason to panic: regular use of honey for cosmetic purposes will eliminate peeling and provide amazing smoothness and softness. In addition, this product contains important vitamins and minerals that support healthy skin.
- In front of the bath or shower, rub honey into the skin and leave it for five to ten minutes. For perfect hydration, this procedure should be repeated daily.
- Measure out equal parts of natural honey, beeswax and olive oil. Melt beeswax in a small skillet over low heat. Remove it from the heat and add honey first, then olive oil. Apply the mixture over the whole body and leave for ten minutes. Then take a shower. It is advisable to repeat this procedure every other day.
Baths for dry skin
Ready-made oatmeal, as well as raw oatmeal, is the best healer for cracked hands. Mix oatmeal with slightly warmed olive oil or jojoba oil in a separate bowl and place your hands there for 10-15 minutes.