Keeping Your Hands Nice and Soft This Winter

It can be very common to have dry hands in the winter months. The cold temperature, the changes in humidity, and air-conditioning can have negative effects on the hydration on your hands. The most common symptoms of having dry hands are cracking, scaling, some redness and irritation.

To prevent dry hands during these winter months, you can follow these four tips:

1. Stop Using Hot Water – Hot water, whether when showering or washing your hands, can easily strip them off your skin’s natural oils to prevent drying out. People also use hot water when washing dishes. The best thing to do is to stick to warm water as it is more gentle on your skin.

2. Wear Gloves – When you wash dishes, it’s best to protect you hands by using gloves. The hot water, the dishwashing soap, and the food particles can all negatively affect the skin on your hands. Dishwashing soap has substances and ingredients for the purpose of cleaning dishes can dry out your skin. When you are outside in the cold, it’s also a good idea to wear gloves to slow down the loss of hydration.

3. Moisturizers Are Key – Use lotions and moisturizers to lock in moisture. The best time to use moisturizers is when your hands are still damp after washing them. Hand creams and lotions that are a lot thinner are the best to use during daytime, while ointments and petroleum-based creams are best for nighttime. This allows your hands to lock in moisture overnight.

4. Use A Cleanser Instead Of Soaps – The worst mistake you can make when washing your hands is using soap. Cleansers are formulated with your skin’s health in mind. Mild and fragrance-free cleansers are perfect for washing your delicate hands and moisturizes them along the way. Cleansers don’t dry out your skin compared to using soaps or antibacterial gels.