People tend to focus on their facial skincare routines so much that they forget to give the rest of their bodies extra attention to make them feel and look great—namely, the hands.
Susan Van Dyke MD, a board-certified dermatologist, explains that the skin on the backs and palms is as susceptible to dryness as other skin parts. Water can accelerate dryness by removing the natural oils from your skin. People wash their hands more often than ever [these days], so the skin may look older and dryer than usual.
MEET THE EXPERT
- Susan Van Dyke is a board-certified dermatologist who works for Crepe Erase.
- Onyeka is a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles.
- Mona Gohara is a board-certified dermatologist. She is also a spokesperson for Dove.
- Dendy Engleman is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in New York City.
Weather plays a part, of course. According to dermatologist Onyeka Obioha MD, cold temperatures can cause the skin’s natural oils to dry out, causing the barrier rich in lipids that protects the hands from external aggressors and maintains moisture. She says that the result is cracked, dry skin. The skin on the hands is less oily than facial skin and, therefore, more susceptible to irritation and dryness when exposed to soaps and water. Hand sanitizers, hand soaps, and frequent hand washing can dry the skin.
What’s the answer? Van Dyke, Obioha, and dermatologists Mona Gohara MD and Dendy Engleman MD were asked for their best tips to keep hands soft, supple, and moisturized. Could you continue reading to learn their tips?
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Hyaluronic Acid
1 After applying your serum, Gohara suggests adding a few drops on the backs of your hands to plump them up. Hyaluronic Acid is a powerful humectant that acts as a sponge for absorbing water. Just a few drops of hyaluronic acid can do wonders for the backs of your hands.
Hand Masks
Masking is another facial skincare technique that can help dry hands. Engelman says a mask is an excellent way to add moisture to dry hands. I suggest a DIY at-home mask if your hands are dry and need moisture. Before bed:
- Apply a thick moisturizer or healing cream.
- Wear washable socks or gloves.
- Allow the product to seep into the skin all night.
If your hands are in good condition, you can purchase single-use masks that soften the skin and add moisture.
Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
Engelman says moisturizing your hands is essential for keeping them healthy and looking young, especially in the colder months. She recommends looking for creams with soothing and intensely hydrating ingredients. “I like La Roche Posay Cicaplast Hand Creme because it provides rapid relief from dryness and continues to hydrate hands even after washing.
Obioha suggests that if you use a different Hand Cream, the best option is to choose a thick cream rich in emollients and ceramides. She recommends products containing glycerin and petrolatum as well as dimethicone and fats. These ingredients will help reinforce the skin’s barrier and prevent moisture loss. She says that, as a rule, you should opt for hand creams or ointments with thicker ingredients rather than lotions based on water.
Take Care when using hand sanitizer.
It’s two-fold. Let’s first talk about hand sanitizer. Engelman warns that certain hand sanitizers have ingredients that kill bacteria but are harsh on the skin. Hand sanitizers can cause damage to the skin on our hands. For prevention, choose a hand sanitizer that is gentle and contains ingredients that will not dry the skin. Touch and uses ethyl ethanol (a safe element for killing germs when used according to instructions), aloe vera, and essential oils.
It’s essential to choose the right-hand wash. Gohara suggests avoiding harsh foaming formulas in favor of a gentle, hydrating cleanser like Dove Deep Cleaning Moisturizing hand wash in Deep Moisture. She says the hand wash is a 100 percent gentle cleanser containing nutrients and moisturizing agents.
Gloves
Anywhere, inside or outside. This is a simple way to keep your hands from becoming cracked and dry and from premature aging. Wearing gloves while doing dishes or spending time outdoors in winter will help protect your hands. Apply moisturizer to your hands before you put on gloves. This will help lock in the soothing, hydrating ingredients and prevent them from rubbing away. Your skin will benefit from the moisturizing benefits.
Avoid Strong Fragrances
Obioha says that heavy fragrances can make the problem worse. Dionis Unscented Goat Milk Hand Cream contains hydrating ingredients like goat milk, dimethicone, glycerin, and dimethicone.
Exfoliate with Care
Exfoliate your hands if they are scorched. Obioha advises avoiding harsh exfoliants, such as those that contain beads. Choose cleansers or creams that contain gentle skin exfoliants, such as lactic, salicylic, or glycolic acids, which all break down bonds and remove dead skin cells.
Sunscreen
You probably know that you should always use sunscreen on your face when you leave the house, but can you say the same thing for your hands as well?
To protect against this, a data-component=”link” data-ordinal=”1″ data-source=”inlineLink” and data-type=”internalLink”>apply SPF to your hands every day, just as you would (or should!) apply sunscreen on your face. Use SPF on your hands daily to protect yourself, just like you would (or shouldn’t!). “To protect against this, a data-component=”link” data-ordinal=”1″ data source=”inlineLink” and href=”https://www.byrdie.com/best spf for hands-sunscreen-5084131″>apply SPF to your hands every day just as you would (or should!)
Use a humidifier
One method of hand rejuvenation that could be more obvious is to change the air you breathe. Engelman says that running a humidifier at home will help to keep your skin moist by maintaining the proper humidity level. The Canopy humidifier is the best option because it is easy to use, clean, and hassle-free. You fill the tank, plug it in, and press the button. Your skin will be healthier and more hydrated. The Canopy humidifier doesn’t emit mist and is built with technology to prevent mold and bacteria growth. This means you can enjoy pure, easy hydration without any nasty side effects.
Consider In-Office Treatments
In-office treatments may be an option if these maintenance methods are not delivering the desired results, especially if you want to turn the clock back on your hands.
Van Dyke explains that “hands can appear boney, and veins may look large as they lose muscle and fat.” Fillers like Restylane Lyft and Radiesse are FDA-approved to replace volume in the hands. They work very well for a youthful contour. Laser resurfacing can also rejuvenate hand skin and reduce fine lines and sun damage. It can also improve thin skin. Fraxel and its gentler cousin Clear and Brilliant use laser energy to remove damaged tissue and stimulate new elastin, collagen, and elastin.
