Flaky, itchy, ashy, rough hands are all symptoms of dry hands. Fortunately, dry skin on your hands isn’t a cause for concern. Although this is quite common, you can wind up with peeling or scaling if you don’t treat them. You may also notice your hands look older or develop deep cracks that bleed. So, although dry hands are no reason to panic, they shouldn’t be ignored.
What Causes Dry Hands?
Your hands may become dry due to low air humidity, harsh soaps, or frequent handwashing. (If you’ve developed dry skin on your hands in the last 18 months, remember that we’ve all been washing our hands more often to prevent COVID-19.)
Older adults are also more likely to have dry skin than younger people. Likewise, if you work in an industry where your hands are frequently wet (hairstyling, nursing, food and beverage), you’re more likely to develop dry skin on your hands.
The heat from a central heating system, space heater, or fireplace can also dry out your hands. Taking long hot baths and showers may lead to dryness as well. In other cases, dryness in your hands may be a symptom of an underlying skin condition such as eczema or psoriasis.
Fortunately, for most people, dry skin is a temporary condition that can be treated with high-quality moisturizers and other simple treatments.
What Products Should I Use for My Dry Hands?
If your hands are dry, you need to moisturize frequently. Moisturizers work by restoring moisture and sealing it in your skin. Moisturizers specifically designed for your hands, such as Soin Mains by Lydia Dainow, use premium oils that moisturize and smooth rough hands. Other nourishing moisturizers such as Quench by Osmosis MD contain moisture-rich ingredients such as jojoba seed oil and advanced peptides to moisturize and rejuvenate your hands.
Tips for Keeping Your Hands Moisturized
There are a few additional steps you can to prevent your hands from drying out.
Wear Gloves
If your job requires your hands to be frequently wet, consider wearing gloves. Similarly, if you’re prone to dry skin, wear gloves when you do the dishes, wash your hair, or clean. You can also wear cotton gloves when you sleep after you’ve moisturized your hands before bed.
Use a Humidifier
Humidifiers can work wonders for dry skin on your hands, face, or body. If you’re struggling to keep your skin moisturized, use a humidifier in your home or office.
Avoid Cleansers, Soaps, and Detergents with Harsh Chemicals
Your laundry detergent, soap, or cleanser may be exacerbating dry skin. Look for gentle shower gels, creams, or oils that won’t dry your skin.
Take Shorter Showers, Avoid Baths
A long hot bath or shower can be the perfect start to a chilly day or the perfect ending to a stressful day. But both remove necessary oils from your skin. When you’re trying to replenish the moisture in your skin, spend less time in hot water.
Moisturize as Soon as You Finish Showering
Because you lose moisturizing oils when you shower, it is crucial to replenish them as soon as possible. After your shower, pat your hands dry and immediately apply moisturizer. This helps lock moisture in your skin.
Maintaining Healthy Skin in Orange County
If you continue to struggle with dry skin on your hands, face, or body, schedule a consultation with our experienced skincare clinicians at Swiss Clinique. Our friendly, knowledgeable skincare experts can help you to replenish lost moisture so your skin looks beautiful at any age. Swiss Clinique also carries a wide selection of medical-grade, organic skincare products, including moisturizers to help you combat dry skin. Schedule a consultation and treatment in Newport Beach by calling (949) 500-1210. You can also book your appointment online.