As winter sets in, the combination of cold air, dry indoor heat, and frequent hand washing can leave your hands feeling rough, cracked, and irritated. It’s common for hands to suffer during this time, as the harsh conditions strip away moisture and leave skin feeling uncomfortable. But don’t worry! By following a few simple steps, you can keep your hands soft, smooth, and hydrated throughout the colder months. Personally, I always keep hand cream close by, whether it’s in my bag, on my desk, or by my bedside. Since our hands are often the first to show signs of aging, I make sure to give them the attention they deserve.
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In this blog, we’ll share a variety of tips and product recommendations to help you protect and care for your hands in the cold. Let’s dive in and discover how to keep your hands nourished and healthy during winter.
Why Do Hands Get Dry in Winter?
Your hands are more vulnerable to dryness in the winter due to a combination of cold outdoor air, dry indoor heating, and frequent hand washing. The skin on your hands is thinner than on other parts of your body, making it easier for moisture to escape. Without proper protection, your hands can become dry, cracked, and irritated. Fortunately, with the right care routine and products, you can prevent and treat dry hands in the colder months.
Tips to Keep Hands Soft and Smooth in the Cold
1. Moisturize Frequently
Moisturizing your hands is the most important step in keeping them soft and smooth during winter. After washing your hands, always apply a rich, nourishing hand cream. Choose a thick formula that locks in moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Apply hand cream throughout the day, especially after washing your hands or using hand sanitizer.
Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream
This hand cream is one of the best options for dry skin. It’s rich in glycerin, which helps lock moisture into the skin, providing long-lasting hydration and protection against the elements.
L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream
A luxurious hand cream that deeply nourishes your skin with 20% shea butter. It’s perfect for cracked, dry hands, providing immediate relief and hydration.
2. Wear Gloves When Outside
Wearing gloves when you’re outside is crucial for protecting your hands from harsh winter weather. Cold temperatures and wind can quickly dehydrate your skin, leading to cracks and irritation. Choose a pair of gloves that fit well and keep the moisture in while shielding your hands from the elements.
Hestra Leather Gloves
These leather gloves offer both warmth and style, protecting your hands from the cold. The durable leather material provides an effective barrier against the wind and cold.
3. Exfoliate Regularly
Exfoliating your hands removes dead skin cells, leaving them feeling soft and smooth. In the winter, dry skin can build up quickly, making it harder for your moisturizer to penetrate. Gently exfoliate your hands once a week to reveal fresh, hydrated skin. Use a scrub or a soft exfoliating glove to avoid irritation.
Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub
A highly-rated scrub that combines shea butter and sugar to exfoliate and deeply hydrate hands, leaving them silky soft and smooth.
Frank Body Scrub
Frank Body’s coffee scrub is a great option for exfoliating dry hands. The natural oils in the scrub moisturize as they exfoliate, leaving your hands feeling soft and refreshed.
4. Use Hand Masks for Intensive Care
Hand masks provide an extra boost of hydration and are perfect for when your hands need some serious pampering. These masks are typically infused with nourishing oils and butters that deeply hydrate and restore dry, cracked skin. You can use a hand mask once a week or as needed for a moisture boost.
TonyMoly Shiny Hand Mask
This hydrating hand mask is designed to lock in moisture and brighten dull hands. Infused with nourishing ingredients like honey and shea butter, it leaves your skin feeling soft and renewed.
Aquaphor Repairing Hand Mask
This hand mask deeply hydrates and repairs dry, cracked skin, leaving hands soft and nourished. Enriched with panthenol and glycerin, it creates a moisture-locking barrier for intensive overnight care.
5. Hydrate From the Inside Out
Hydration isn’t just about what you put on your skin, it’s also important to hydrate from the inside. Drink plenty of water throughout the day, even in the winter, when people often forget to drink as much. Proper hydration helps maintain moisture levels in your skin, preventing it from drying out.
6. Apply Overnight Treatments
To give your hands an extra dose of hydration while you sleep, use an overnight treatment. Apply a thick layer of hand cream before bed and wear a pair of cotton gloves to lock in the moisture. This will allow the cream to deeply penetrate your skin while you rest, leaving you with soft, smooth hands in the morning.
Aveeno Skin Relief Hand Cream
This soothing hand cream is perfect for dry, irritated skin. Formulated with natural oatmeal, it helps to relieve and moisturize hands while you sleep, leaving them soft, smooth, and restored by morning.
Lanolips 101 Ointment Multipurpose Superbalm
This rich ointment is a go-to for deeply hydrating dry, cracked hands. Infused with lanolin, it creates a protective barrier, locking in moisture and delivering intense nourishment overnight for soft, healthy skin by morning.
7. Use a Humidifier Indoors
Indoor heating systems can cause the air to become extremely dry, which can exacerbate dry hands. To combat this, use a humidifier in your home to add moisture to the air. This will help keep your skin hydrated and prevent excessive dryness during the colder months.
8. Avoid Hot Water for Hand Washing
As tempting as it might be to wash your hands with hot water, it can strip away natural oils from your skin, leading to dryness and irritation. Opt for lukewarm water when washing your hands and always follow up with a moisturizing hand cream.
9. Be Gentle with Your Hands
During the winter, it’s important to be gentle with your hands. Avoid harsh soaps and hand sanitizers that can further dry out your skin. Instead, opt for gentle, moisturizing hand washes and sanitizers. Also, avoid rubbing your hands too roughly with a towel, pat them dry instead.
Bonus Tip: Overnight Hydration Routine
For an extra layer of protection, add a nighttime hydration routine to your skincare regimen. Before bed, apply a generous amount of hand cream, and wear soft cotton gloves to lock in moisture. This allows the cream to deeply hydrate your skin overnight, leaving your hands soft and smooth in the morning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How often should I moisturize my hands during the winter?
A: Moisturizing your hands 3-4 times a day is ideal. Make sure to apply hand cream after washing your hands and before bed to keep your skin hydrated.
Q: How can I treat cracked hands?
A: For cracked hands, try using a thicker hand cream or overnight treatment. You can also use a hand mask for added hydration and protection. Wearing gloves while sleeping can also help lock in moisture and speed up the healing process.
Q: Can I use body lotion on my hands during winter?
A: While body lotion can work in a pinch, it’s better to use a hand cream formulated specifically for the delicate skin on your hands. Hand creams are thicker and more concentrated, providing longer-lasting moisture and protection.
Conclusion
With these simple steps, you can keep your hands soft, smooth, and well-hydrated, no matter how cold it gets outside. From moisturizing frequently to exfoliating and using protective gloves, there are many ways to combat the drying effects of winter. By adopting these hand care habits and using the right products, your hands will stay healthy and nourished all season long.
A quick tip: To make sure your hands are always moisturized, keep hand cream easily accessible in places like your bathroom, kitchen, and handbag. Having hand cream within reach will remind you to apply it throughout the day, ensuring your hands stay soft and smooth, no matter where you are.
If you found these tips helpful, be sure to share this blog with your family and friends. Let’s all enjoy soft, smooth hands this winter.
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