After a day of work and regular handwashing, for our hands to feel super dry. We try applying our best moisturizer before we go to bed to no avail — it doesn’t have enough time to be absorbed properly. Thankfully, there are some other tricks that can help you out.
In this post, we would like to propose the best ways that you can use to restore lost moisture and smoothness to your hands.
1. Soak your hands in oats with sunflower seed oil.
Sunflower seed oil has been proven to hydrate and rejuvenate dry and chafed skin. Either it is used as an ingredient in moisturizers or on its own, and it has the ability to protect the skin from drying. On the other hand, oats have very similar abilities and the combination of the 2 can do wonders for your skin.
All you need to do is mix some cooked or raw oats with a few drops of sunflower seed oil and apply the mixture to your skin. If you can’t find this specific oil, be careful to not use just any oil. Olive oil for example has been found to be damaging for dry hands instead of beneficial.
2. Apply a small amount of super glue to cracked skin.
This one might sound dangerous, but it really is something that dermatologists say works on superficial cuts and cracks. Now, you still need to be cautious with its use and not apply it very often or on super-cracked skin. You can apply a very small amount of glue to the affected area so that it prevents further drying. Make sure you first clean the area and keep the crack closed until the glue has dried.
3. Apply pure honey.
Manuka honey has been found to have plenty of antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Apart from consuming it the traditional way, we can also apply it on dry and chafed skin, since it can regenerate it. First, it cleans and disinfects the area that is dry and then it stimulates the immune system to start re-building the damaged tissue. That’s also why it is commonly used to treat burns.
4. Use gloves.
Doing the dishes every day is an activity that can dry our hands out, because it strips our skin from the natural oils it produces. By using rubber gloves when washing dishes, we will not only protect our skin, but we’ll also be able to wash the dishes in hotter water, making this activity last much shorter than usual. As a plus, this rubbery barrier can keep us from getting sick and can protect us against chemical burns.
5. Apply petroleum jelly.
Petroleum jelly-based products like Vaseline are absolute lifesavers when it comes to treating and hydrating our skin. What you can do is apply a generous amount of Vaseline on your damaged hands at night and wear a pair of cotton gloves. This way, you make sure that the Vaseline stays on your hands and doesn’t get absorbed by your blanket. The gloves don’t have any healing properties, but they are used to simply keep the Vaseline untouched.
6. Use a humidifier.
If you live in a dry environment or if winter suddenly arrived, a humidifier can be a great addition to your household. It provides an easy way to add moisture back into dry skin. Doctors recommend humidifiers for protection against dry skin.
7. Create an avocado hand mask.
Avocados have great moisturizing abilities and contain many vitamins. Mixing half a ripe avocado with 1 teaspoon of coconut oil, 1 teaspoon of jojoba oil, and half a teaspoon of lemon juice can save your dry hands. You can strengthen the mixture even more by adding some oats.
You can apply the mask on your hands for 10-15 minutes and cover them with foil for greater absorption. After 15 minutes have passed, you can clean the mask with some lukewarm water and apply a really strong lotion.
8. Choose products that contain Vitamin B3.
Either you consume food rich in vitamin B3 or you apply skincare products that contain niacinamide, and this vitamin will improve your skin’s hydration. You will notice that your skin is smoother and more toned. Also, dermatologists say that B3 helps strengthen the skin’s barrier and maintain its moisture for longer. If your hands are extra dry, you might need to try topical creams, but you should expect to see results in a matter of a few weeks’ time.
Have you found any lifesaving treatment for your dry and cracked hands? Do you prefer using professional or homemade products?