During the winter months, cold temperatures and frequent use of the hands can affect the state of our skin in a very negative way. So learn how to take care of it and prevent dehydration thanks to the useful tips contained in this article.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Treating Dry Hands
Step 1. Use a hand cream to moisturize them
Applying a hand cream is the simplest and most effective way to care for and soften your skin. There are dozens of products on the market with different fragrances and characteristics: identify the one that best suits your needs.
- Moisturize the skin on your hands every time you wash them. Keep small packs of cream next to the sinks at home so they are always at hand.
- Look for cosmetics that contain shea butter, B vitamins, and retinol. Each of these ingredients contributes to keeping the skin soft for a long time.
- Mineral oils and lanolin help trap water in the skin. Creams that contain lactic acid and urea also have emollient properties. Glycerin and dimethicone contribute to skin hydration, while hyaluronic acid can promote moisture retention by the skin.
Step 2. Take care of your hands with natural oils
If you don't want to buy a cream cosmetic product, you can massage your hands with natural oils, just like you would any other lotion. Even a small amount of oil will do wonders, making this an effective and economical option. All the following oils are usable in the kitchen and, with regular application, are also healthy and nourishing for skin, nail and hair care:
- Avocado oil.
- Almond oil.
- Aloe vera gel.
- Coconut oil.
- Cocoa butter.
- Sunflower oil.
- Olive oil.
Step 3. Make a homemade sugar scrub
Normally exfoliating scrubs are simple moisturizing products enriched with small rough particles, included to help eliminate dead skin cells. Buy one ready-made at the supermarket or perfumery, or opt for a home solution, cheaper but just as effective:
- Mix a few tablespoons of white sugar with olive or coconut oil to form a paste, then rub it on your hands for a couple of minutes. Rinse with warm water - the result should be much softer hands than before.
- If you wish, add a few drops of mint or lavender essential oil to give the scrub a pleasant scent. If you don't want to use sugar, you can replace it with grated beeswax or salt.
Step 4. During the winter, feed your hands regularly, every other week
When temperatures drop, your skin suffers. If you live in a cold climate area, apply a deep hydration treatment using an old pair of socks. It is a remedy as simple as it is effective:
- Heat a clean pair of socks in the microwave for 15 seconds. Apply a generous amount of moisturizer to the skin, without massaging it.
- Put your hands in the socks, and let the treatment work for 10-20 minutes. Remove the socks from your hands and massage the remaining cream into the skin.
- You can also leave the treatment on overnight, in case the skin on your hands is highly dehydrated. Don't worry, washing a pair of socks is usually easier than washing a pair of gloves.
Step 5. When necessary, apply a repair cream
If your hands are cracked and damaged as well as dry, take out the heavy artillery and use a high-moisturizing repair cream. Often found in gel form, these creams work wonders on deeply dehydrated skin. Apply it for several days on problem areas, until your skin has regained its natural softness.
Step 6. Take a supplement to restore skin moisture
Recent research has revealed that flax and borage help increase skin moisture and fight skin roughness. A balanced diet should contain all the necessary fatty acids, but in the case of extremely dehydrated skin, a supplement based on flaxseed, borage oil or evening primrose could prove effective.
Step 7. Avoid petroleum jelly and lemon juice
Both are popular home remedies used to soften dry skin, but should generally be avoided in favor of more nutritious solutions. Neither one is further recommended by the medical community.
- In fact, petroleum jelly acts as a barrier against hydration, not as a moisturizer. While it is effective in preventing irritation and trapping moisture, it is not a moisturizer and will not be able to heal dry hands when used alone.
- Whether or not lemon is able to exfoliate and soften the skin is a debated topic. In fact, some argue that citric acid acts mostly as an irritant. If you intend to expose yourself to the sun, do not apply lemon juice to the skin, otherwise you will expose it to the risk of sunburn.
Part 2 of 3: Preventing Dry Hands
Step 1. Use a mild, natural hand soap
Frequent hand washing is important for personal hygiene, but it can significantly dehydrate the skin. Opt for a dedicated product for sensitive skin that contains moisturizing ingredients such as jojoba or olive oil, both of which can nourish and heal dry skin.
- Avoid alcohol or glycerin-based hand sanitizers, as they dry out the skin.
- Replace your normal shower gel or body soap with a product that contains moisturizing ingredients: in this way your hands will be protected even in the shower.
Step 2. Avoid water that is too hot
Intense heat can burn and dry out the skin. While not recognizable as a real "sunburn", a red skin after a bath indicates that the heat used was excessive.
Step 3. Protect your hands with gloves when washing dishes
Dishwashing detergent is among the most aggressive and irritating products for hands. When washing dishes, especially in winter, it is always helpful to wear protective rubber gloves to keep your hands dry, especially in situations where you intend to immerse your hands in water.
Step 4. Put on your gloves outdoors
If you spend a lot of time outside, do what you can to protect your skin from the cold. In the fall and winter months, protect your hands from the wind by wearing gloves.
Step 5. Use a protective sunscreen
Like any other part of the body, the hands are also subject to sun damage. Since no one wants to wear protective gloves in the summer months, it is best to apply a sunscreen cream to the skin.
Choose the highest protective factor available. When you go out in the sun, opt for a cosmetic with an SPF of no less than 20
Step 6. Stay well hydrated
Not drinking enough water will cause your skin to become dehydrated. Nutrition plays an extremely important role in skin health, and it is important that you drink at least 8 glasses - or about 2 liters - of water per day.
Alcohol can dehydrate the body, thereby drying out the skin. If you have very dry skin, avoid abusing it
Part 3 of 3: A Quick Recipe
Step 1. Mix shampoo, conditioner, and lotion in a bowl or in your hand
Step 2. Add some liquid soap and mix using your finger or a teaspoon
Step 3. Apply the cream to your hands and massage until it is evenly distributed
Step 4. With a towel, wipe all the cream you can from your hands
Remember to wash the towel afterwards.
Step 5. Leave your hands like this for half an hour
Step 6. After this time, your hands should be a little weird and sticky
Go to the sink.
Step 7. Put some soap and lotion in your hands and rub them
Step 8. Wash your hands and pat them dry with a clean towel
Step 9. Enjoy the result
Advice
- Repeat this beauty routine consistently, otherwise your hands will continue to dry out and lose their softness.
- Rub the pulp of an avocado on your hands to effectively soften and hydrate them.
