Key Points
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Low humidity levels and indoor heating systems make dry skin worse in winter, especially on your hands.
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Hand care tips include using lotions and exfoliating your hands regularly.
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Brands like CeraVe, Glossier, and Bioderma make excellent products to treat dry winter skin.
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Don’t feel like going out and buying new products? Try hand care tips for dry hands using ingredients from your kitchen.
Are your hands feeling rough, dry, and uncomfortable during the winter? Do you struggle to find the perfect hand lotion to soothe your dry skin when the temperature outside drops? Have no fear! Several super-effective hand care tips provide fun and easy ways to keep your hands looking and feeling great.
There are plenty of products specifically made to counter the drying effects of winter weather. Some effective products may be sitting in your kitchen pantry. Grab your favorite lotion and get started with winter hand care tips to give your hands the tender loving care they deserve!
What Causes Dry Hands in Winter?
Dry hands are a common problem during the winter months, especially for those who live in bitterly cold climates. The harsh winter weather strips away the natural oils from your skin, leaving it feeling dry, tight, and itchy.
Dry skin is uncomfortable and leads to skin damage if left untreated. Understanding what causes dry hands is the first step in preventing and treating this condition.
Low Humidity Levels
The dry winter air sloughs off your skin’s natural oil, causing dryness and itching. The skin is a barrier that prevents moisture loss. In low-humidity environments, the skin loses more water.
Indoor Heating
Heating systems in homes and offices further dry out the air and contribute to dry skin. Indoor heaters, furnaces and radiators heat the air, reducing its moisture content.
Cold Temperatures
Cold temperatures cause the skin to dry and crack. When skin is exposed to cold weather, the blood vessels in the skin constrict to conserve heat, which reduces blood flow to the skin’s surface.
This decrease in blood flow reduces the amount of oil and hydration that is produced by the skin.
Excessive Washing
Frequent hand washing with hot water and soap also removes too much of the skin’s natural oils, which leads to dryness. Yes, too much water causes dry skin.
Certain Medical Conditions
Eczema and other medical conditions cause dry and itchy skin on the hands. Cold weather exacerbates these symptoms.
Prevention Tips for Dry Hands
Protect your skin and keep your hands healthy and hydrated throughout the winter months. Enjoy silky, smooth skin all season long by using these preventive tips and treatments for dry hands during the winter.
Moisturize Regularly
Use a rich, fragrance-free moisturizer several times a day, especially after washing your hands. Great products lock in hydration so your hands don’t become flakey and tight.
Use a Humidifier
A humidifier adds water back into the air, reducing the dryness that causes the skin to become irritated and itchy.
Wear Gloves
There are a couple of different types of gloves that protect your hands from drying out. Wearing outside gloves protects your hands from the cold and dry air, while marigolds reduce exposure to harsh soaps and other chemicals that take away the skin’s natural oils while working inside.
Avoid Hot Water
Hot water extracts the skin’s natural oils, which produces more dryness and itching in the skin. Use lukewarm water and limit the time spent in the shower or bath.
Use a Gentle Soap
Harsh soaps and detergents deplete the skin’s natural moisture, making the skin even drier. Choose a gentle, fragrance-free soap. Avoid using antibacterial soaps, which are particularly harsh on the skin.
Exfoliate Regularly
Gently exfoliate your hands once a week to remove dead skin cells and improve the absorption of moisturizers. Without exfoliating, the skin is unable to soak in all the hydration from creams and lotions.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals
Alcohol and other chemicals remove the skin’s protective oils, making dry skin even worse. Wear gloves when using these products and consider switching to gentler alternatives.
“Some people just make less oil in their skin, and others are more sensitive to chemicals,” Denver dermatologist Dr. Barbara Reed says. “If you have a tendency towards eczema or come from an allergic family, you may have very sensitive skin that reacts to chemicals like preservatives and fragrances, which can exacerbate skin rashes and dryness.”
Apply Sunscreen
Sunscreen protects your hands from sun damage. Look for a fragrance-free, water-resistant formula, and apply it liberally before going outside.
Best Moisturizers for Dry Skin
When choosing a moisturizer for dry hands, look for formulas that are thick and creamy with ingredients such as glycerin, shea butter, petroleum, and ceramides that replenish and repair dry skin. Choose a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic formula to avoid irritating sensitive skin.
Another safe option when it comes to picking a moisturizer for chapped, flakey hands is to opt for a natural hydrating product, meaning it doesn’t have any chemicals.
Vaseline Intensive Care Essential Healing
The petroleum-based moisturizer provides long-lasting hydration for dry and cracked skin. The petroleum in the formula creates a protective barrier on the skin to soak up moisture.
Made with pure oat extract and ultra-hydrating lipids, Vaseline Intensive Care Essential Healing lotion prevents dryness and keeps your skin looking healthy and refreshed.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
The CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is a ceramide-based cream that repairs and restores the skin’s natural barrier. It also contains hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to lock in moisture and support skin health.
The CeraVe Moisturizing Cream has a non-greasy formula and is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
Aquaphor Healing Ointment
The multi-purpose ointment provides intensive hydration for dry, rough, and irritated skin. The Aquaphor Healing Ointment has a blend of ingredients — including glycerin, mineral oil, and petrolatum — that drenches and soothes dehydrated skin.
Glossier Balm Dotcom
The cult-favorite lip balm is also effective on hands, cuticles and other dry skin. The Glossier Balm Dotcom has a rich, creamy texture that nourishes and calms the skin.
The balm contains a mixture of natural ingredients, including beeswax, castor seed oil, and shea butter, to provide intense skin moisturization and protection.
Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume
Is your dry skin causing itchiness? If so, the Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume is perfect for you. The formula is designed to help you stop itching and reduce the urge to scratch flakey, dehydrated skin.
The Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume is a rich, nourishing cream that delivers deep hydration for dry, irritated skin.
DIY Hand Treatments for Dry Winter Skin
With constant exposure to cold air and low humidity, your hands become dry, chapped, and irritated. To combat these issues, many people turn to store-bought creams and ointments.
You don’t need to spend a lot of money on expensive products to treat dry hands. Take a few simple ingredients from your kitchen and make your own treatments in the comfort of your home.
These treatments are not only affordable, but they also provide natural hydration and nourishment to the skin, leaving your hands feeling velvety smooth.
Honey and Olive Oil Treatment
Mix equal parts honey and olive oil and massage into your hands for 5-10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water and pat dry.
Honey is a natural humectant, meaning it draws moisture from the air and helps to retain it in the skin. It also has antibacterial properties that ease irritated skin.
Olive oil is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and fatty acids, all of which strengthen and quench dry skin. Olive oil is easily absorbed into the skin, making it a great choice for cold-temperature skincare
When combined, honey and olive oil work together to bring intense hydration and nourishment to irritated skin, restore its natural barrier, and prevent future dryness. The mixture creates a protective layer on the skin that allows for more absorption and prevents further evaporation. This leaves the skin feeling polished, even when cold weather rolls into town.
Avocado and Banana Hand Mask
Mash half an avocado and one ripe banana together and spread the mixture over your hands. Leave on for 15 minutes and remove the hand mask using warm water. Dab dry to finish the process.
Avocado is rich in healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. The fruit is specifically filled with vitamin E, potassium, and magnesium which are known for their ability to enrich and quench dehydrated skin. Avocados also contain anti-inflammatory properties that relieve irritated skin.
Banana is a good source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants — especially vitamin C, potassium, and magnesium. These elements revive and protect the skin from environmental stressors. Bananas have enzymes that soften and exfoliate the skin.
Avocado and banana work excellently together to create an alleviating and hydrating hand mask that rejuvenates and revitalizes flakey, chapped skin.
Coconut Oil Hand Soak
Warm a small amount of coconut oil in the microwave for a few seconds. Soak your hands in the warm oil for 10-15 minutes. Wash the excess coconut oil off using warm water, then pat dry.
Coconut oil is rich in medium-chain fatty acids. These are easily absorbed by the skin, providing deep conditioning and comfort. It’s also a natural anti-inflammatory and has antibacterial properties, making it a perfect ingredient to use on dry winter skin.
In addition to its moisturizing qualities, coconut oil also has a high concentration of antioxidants to shield the skin from environmental stressors and free radicals. This also reduces the signs of aging.
When applied topically, coconut oil gifts the skin with intense hydration for chapped skin and relieves that feeling of dryness from cold temperatures.
Oatmeal and Yogurt Hand Scrub
Mix 1/2 cup of oatmeal and 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt to create a scrub. Gently massage the natural exfoliator into your hands for two or three minutes. Rinse the mixture off with warm water and blot it away.
Oatmeal has natural healing properties that target alleviating dry, itchy skin. It also has anti-inflammatory features that reduce redness and irritation.
Yogurt is rich in lactic acid, a natural exfoliant that helps remove dead skin cells and promote new cell growth. It also contains proteins and probiotics that maintain skin hydration and promote a healthy skin barrier.
When the two foods are blended, oatmeal and yogurt make a powerful mixture for combating dry winter skin. The oatmeal acts as an excellent moisturizer while the yogurt gently exfoliates and promotes skin health.
The lactic acid in yogurt dissolves the glue-like substance that holds dead skin cells together, making it easier for the oatmeal to penetrate and quench thirsty skin.
Lemon and Sugar Hand Scrub
Blend 1/4 cup of sugar and the juice of one lemon to produce a homemade exfoliator. Gently massage the mixture into your hands for two or three minutes. Remove the hand scrub using warm water and pat dry.
Lemon and sugar are often used in homemade skincare recipes due to their skin-benefiting properties. For example, lemon is high in citric acid and vitamin C, which brightens and exfoliates the skin. The acid in the lemon sloughs dead skin cells off and promotes cell turnover, leaving the skin looking vibrant and glowy.
Similar to lemon, sugar is also a natural exfoliant that reveals smoother, more hydrated skin. Sugar is also a natural humectant.
The lemon-sugar combination creates a gentle-yet-effective exfoliating scrub for dry skin during the colder months. The sugar wipes away dead skin cells while the lemon brightens and freshens the skin.
Don’t Let Dry Skin Bring You Down in Winter
Many people struggle with dry hands during the colder months. Fortunately, several effective treatments relieve the symptoms and restore the skin’s natural moisture levels.
Some of the best options include applying hand creams, using humidifiers, drinking plenty of water, and wearing gloves to protect the skin from harsh weather conditions outside and equally harsh cleaning chemicals, detergents, and soaps inside.
Keeping your hands feeling soft, smooth, and hydrated all winter should be an easy task when you follow these simple tips and incorporate the right treatments into your skincare routine.
