Dry air sucks the moisture out of your skin. This occurs during the winter months in dry climates, or in air-conditioned places such as airplanes and shopping malls year-round. Water removes the skin’s natural oils. People who wash their hands a lot — for example, those who work in the health and hospitality industries — will often struggle with keeping their hands well moisturized. [2] X Expert Source R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPHBoard Certified Dermatologist Expert Interview. 14 May 2021. Chemicals dry out and damage the skin. Hair stylists and people who work in cleaning jobs will often have dry, chapped hands if they don’t take the necessary precautions (the main one being wearing gloves). Some types of soap (particularly old-fashioned bars and commercial soaps) can disrupt the skin’s pH balance and cause dryness and cracking. Medical conditions such as psoriasis and eczema as well as particular allergies and medications can lead to dry, chapped hands.
Experts recommend applying moisturizer preventatively, before your hands become dry. [4] X Research source [5] X Expert Source R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPHBoard Certified Dermatologist Expert Interview. 14 May 2021. Use a moisturizer with a built-in sunscreen if you’ll be outside for a while. This will help protect your hands from discoloration such as sunburns or age spots. [6] X Research source Drinking water is not enough to keep your skin hydrated: you need to apply moisturizer directly to your skin to reap the full benefits. [7] X Research source
A good-quality moisturizer must contain emollients and humectants. Emollients like lanolin, jojoba oil, squalene, and isopropyl palmitate lubricate and smooth the skin. Humectants like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and urea transfer moisture from the environment to the skin. [10] X Research source
At bedtime, apply a lot of petroleum jelly or another heavy moisturizer containing dimethicone, cocoa or shea butter, or beeswax to your hands. Then, put on a pair of cotton gloves and leave them on overnight. [11] X Research source [12] X Expert Source R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPHBoard Certified Dermatologist Expert Interview. 14 May 2021. Coconut oil and aloe vera are great natural moisturizers. With coconut oil, slather it on to your hands and then put on a pair of gloves. Aloe vera is less oily and more suitable for healing any cracks or sores you may have on your hands. [13] X Research source
To dry your hands, pat them gently with a towel or paper towel, and then apply moisturizer immediately after. [17] X Research source Avoid using a hot-air dryer as this could further dry out your hands. [18] X Research source Some experts recommend that people who have to wash their hands more than 12 times a day alternate their hand-washing with moisturizing hand-sanitizing gel or wipes. The alcohol in the sanitizers can be drying, but not as drying as regular soap and water sessions. [19] X Research source
If you dye your hair, garden, or do anything else that can dry out your hands, make sure that you wear gloves. If you have eczema or sensitive skin, you can benefit from wearing cotton gloves when doing household chores like folding laundry or dusting. You can cover these with neoprene or lined vinyl gloves if you need waterproofing. [21] X Trustworthy Source National Eczema Association Nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those with eczema through research and education Go to source Avoid vinyl gloves, which can dry out your skin. The best options are cotton or leather or, if you must wear waterproof gloves, disposable vinyl. [22] X Research source
If you don’t have time for a bath, you can soak only your hands in a tub of warm water and ground oats for at least 15 minutes. You can also mix ground oats in a basin with warm olive or jojoba oil, and then soak your hands in that for 10 to 15 minutes. [26] X Research source
Pay close attention to how your hands respond to the exfoliation. If your hands become worse, decrease how many times you exfoliate them each week. If they don’t improve, discontinue exfoliating all together. A natural exfoliant you can make with ingredients in your pantry comprises 1 to 2 tablespoons of sugar (avoid the coarse raw stuff) mixed with olive oil. [29] X Research source If your hands are particularly dry and calloused, you might need to use something stronger than an exfoliating cream — for instance, a pumice stone. [30] X Research source
If you have stubborn dirt under your nails, you can gently scrape it out with a metal file. Just be careful that you don’t damage the skin between your finger and your nail while doing so.
If you must cut your nails, aim for straight or curved edges to reduce the risk of growth problems. [32] X Research source
It can be tempting to push back your cuticles in order to make your nails appear longer, but don’t do it! If you regularly get manicures, ask that your aesthetician leave your cuticles alone, too.
Cuticles and nails can become dry too, so be sure to keep them well moisturized so that they look their best. Putting oil around the cuticle is a great way to keep your cuticle and nails looking great. You can use household oils like olive oil or coconut oil, or invest in a cuticle oil, which you can find at most drugstores. [35] X Research source
Opt for removers that say “acetone-free” on their labels. [38] X Research source These are generally not as aggressive as acetone-based removers, but they’ll still get the job done over time.
Experts recommend using nail shellac instead of nail polish. Shellac lasts longer and helps prevent brittle nails by boosting their hydration. [40] X Research source Be aware that nail polishes can contain toxic chemicals that will weaken your nails or worse. Try to find polishes that don’t contain toxic chemicals. Even then, give your nails a paint-free break once in a while. [41] X Research source
Just be careful not to damage the skin between your nails and fingers while you’re doing this. Massage cuticle oil into your nails before applying the pencil to give them a healthy-looking glow.
If you don’t want to give up your manicures, consider bringing your own tools to the salon to lower the risk of infection. [43] X Research source If you must get fake nails, choose tips instead of ones that fully cover your actual nails. This will minimize the risk of damage to your nails. [44] X Research source
