Protect Your Hands From Dryness This Winter With These Tips
Winter can be a harsh season on our skin, especially on hands. As the temperature drops and winds pick up, the cold weather and dry air can lead to chapped and dry hands. For many of us, this means finding creative ways to stay warm while also exhibiting effective care for hands to minimize cracking and damage throughout winter. So if you’re looking for some strategies to keep your hands healthy during this frigid time of year, read on-we have some great tips that’ll help protect your skin all winter long!
Why are dry hands a bigger problem than you think
Dry hands can be more than just a nuisance; they can create long-term problems for our health. When skin becomes dry, it’s more prone to cracking, which can lead to infections and other complications. Dry hands also increase the risk of developing eczema, a chronic condition that causes redness, itchiness, flaking, and skin scaling. In severe cases, eczema can cause permanent scarring or even require medical treatment. Additionally, a lack of moisture on your hands can prevent them from performing basic tasks like writing or typing without being uncomfortable or causing pain.
Dry hands are not only bad for our health but are also linked to increasing signs of aging in our skin. Dry skin is more prone to wrinkles, dark spots, and other blemishes. People with dry hands may also experience reduced hand mobility due to the tightness in their skin. Keeping your hands moisturized can help prevent these issues, keeping them looking young and healthy for longer.
Taking care of your hands to remain healthy and hydrated is important. To avoid dry hands, ensure you use a good quality hand lotion or cream daily. It’s best to choose one that contains natural ingredients like shea butter or olive oil to help lock in moisture and protect your skin from further drying out. Additionally, it’s important to wear gloves when doing any housework or gardening to prevent your hands from coming into direct contact with harsh chemicals or dirt. Finally, limit the amount of time you spend in hot water while dishes or showering, as this, can strip away natural oils and exacerbate dryness.
Taking care of your hands is important to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, so keep them hydrated and moisturized. Doing so can help protect you from long-term health issues related to dry skin and help your hands look young for longer. So make it a priority to incorporate hand care into your daily routine!
Ways to get rid of dry hands from handwashing
- Moisturize: As soon as you finish handwashing, apply moisturizer to your hands right away. Look for ones formulated specifically for dry skin and contain ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and glycerin to help keep your hands hydrated throughout the day.
- Use a mild soap: Choose a mild cleanser or liquid soap when washing your hands instead of an antibacterial one, which can often be too harsh on the skin and strip away essential oils from the surface.
- Wear gloves: If you’re doing any work with chemicals or other irritants, it’s important to wear rubber gloves to protect your skin from drying out.
- Avoid long, hot showers: Long, hot showers can strip away the natural oils from your skin and lead to dryness. Keep showers short and lukewarm to keep your hands hydrated.
- Use a humidifier: Humidifiers help add essential moisture back into the air, which can help prevent your skin from drying out. Place one in your bedroom or office for added protection against dryness.
- Drink more water: Drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day helps keep your skin hydrated by providing it with much-needed moisture from within. Make sure to drink at least eight glasses of water daily for best results!
- Wear gloves when doing housework: Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands from harsh chemicals and other irritants when cleaning around the house. Doing this will also help keep your skin soft and prevent it from drying out.
- Use a hand cream: Applying a good quality hand cream or balm after every wash can help lock in moisture and give your hands an extra layer of protection against dryness. Look for nourishing ingredients such as shea butter, almond oil, and jojoba oil to pamper your hands!
- Eat healthy fats: Eating foods rich in healthy fats like avocados, olives, nuts, and fatty fish can help replenish lost moisture in the skin. So make sure to get your daily dose of these essential fatty acids for maximum hydration!
- Put on gloves before bed: Before going to sleep at night, put on some light cotton gloves to help keep your hands moisturized overnight. Do this every night, and you’ll wake up with softer, smoother hands!