How To Care For Dry Hands

You use your hands every day constantly, its no wonder hands can suffer from dryness. Dry cracked hands are a problem, read on for NIVEA top tips and to find the best hand cream for dry hands.

What causes dry skin on hands?

There are many different factors affecting how dry, rough and uncomfortable our hands can feel.

Why do my hands feel so dry?

Regardless of our occupation or what we choose to do with our spare time, our hands take on the brunt of the work. As they’re constantly busy with different tasks, they’re exposed to a variety of different temperatures and conditions. This can really take its toll and leave the skin on the hands feeling dry, rough and even lead to cracked skin on our hands.

When it comes to skincare, the skin on the hands is all too often forgotten about, despite the fact that it’s as fragile as the skin on our face in some places. It’s about time we started appreciating our hands and giving them the care they deserve.

The causes of dry skin can range massively so it's important to know what to avoid and what can help.

If your insides are dehydrated, your hands will be too!

Staying hydrated can help keep our hands soft. Dehydrating our skin can lead to skin on our hands becoming dry and callous. Drinking enough water to keep us hydrated can help not only dry hands but dry skin on the rest of our bodies.

6 common causes of dry skin on hands

Cold & windy weather conditions
Exposure to UVA/UVB rays
Chemicals in household cleaning products
Washing hands too frequently
Home heating & air conditioning systems
Smoking

How to get rid of dry hands

Dry hands can be a real nuisance – find out how to restore them for hands that look and feel healthy again.

How to treat dry skin on hands

Preventing dry hands isn’t always easy, but by using the right dry skin remedies, it’s possible to give them the moisture they need. Even if you already have dry hands these products should help remedy the situation.

If your line of work means your hands are constantly exposed to rough materials and the elements, finding a good hand cream to use regularly is essential. NIVEA Repair & Care Hand Cream is an intensive treatment for instantly soothing very dry and chapped hands – perfect if your hands need that extra bit of care.

Another product that gives dry skin on hands what it needs is NIVEA Rich Nourishing Body Lotion. This product is enriched with a deep moisturising serum and almond oil to revitalise the skin on the hands to leave it feeling touchably smooth, even if it's you have dry cracked hands. As it’s lightweight, it’s absorbed easily is the perfect companion for on the go.

A lot of women still swear by the unique formulation of NIVEA Creme for their hands. The century-old cream provides the skin on the hands with everything it needs to stay smooth and nourished.

Hands need exfoliating too

When it comes to exfoliating, the hands are often neglected, despite the fact that hand skin is thinner than certain parts of the face. Regularly exfoliating your hands will get rid of dead skin cells to reveal the fresher ones underneath – so you can say goodbye to dry, flaky skin. Read our how to exfoliate guide for more tips.

5 tips for preventing dry skin on hands

Avoid using hand-dryers

Drying your hands under a hot hand-dryer may seem tempting at the time, but the extreme heat and rush of air can dehydrate the hands and even make them feel irritated. Keep a pack of tissues in your handbag for drying your hands on the go.

5 tips for preventing dry skin on hands

Wash up with rubber gloves

Washing up is a part of everyday life for most people, but few realise how immersing your hands in the hot water for an extended period of time can really dry them out. Pop on a pair of rubber gloves and you’ll have sparkling dishes without the dry hands.

5 tips for preventing dry skin on hands

Invest in a humidifier

Increasing the humidity levels in your home can really help to combat dry skin on hands. Dry air can cause your skin to lose a lot of moisture, especially in the rooms you spend a lot of time in. A humidifier can help to replace that moisture for hands that look much healthier.

5 tips for preventing dry skin on hands

Don’t over-wash your hands

Washing your hands too regularly with hot water can leave them feeling dry and uncomfortable. Try to use warm water instead of hot water when you can and always make sure the hand wash you use is gentle on the skin.

5 tips for preventing dry skin on hands

Apply a deep treatment overnight

If the skin on your hands is ultra-dry, try applying a deep moisturising treatment overnight. Applying a generous amount of NIVEA Creme before popping on a pair of gloves before you go to sleep will ensure that the moisture is locked in and absorbs as it should.

Soothing dry hands in winter

The cold, dry weather in winter can often lead to dry and cracked hands.

Wear gloves!

Hands take a battering in winter - wear gloves to help retain moisture in your hands and protect your hands from the dry winter air.

Intensely moisturise your dry hands

You need to may extra careful attention to your hands in winter. You might feel you moisturise your hands enough but it can't hurt to go the extra mile.

Make sure to moisturise after using the bathroom to lock in any moisture you might have lost and when you get in from the cold outdoors.

Avoid hot taps and traditional soap

Traditional soap can damage your skins natural protective barrier, leaving hands very dry. The last thing you need in the cold winter months.

And while you might want to warm your hands up under a hot tap (or even get home and have a really hot shower) this has the opposite effect you want on your skin. Excess heat can dry hands out even further. Try using a lukewarm temperature.

Read the winter skincare guide for more tips on how to keep skin healthy.