How to Revive & Care Dry Hands (plus money-saving tips)

Money-Saving Tips on Dry Hands Care:

I have developed a new skin condition on my hands lately- dry patches & cracked skin between fingers and knuckles. This is, of course, due to the excessive hand washing. Initially, the skin was very itchy, sore and if I touched any soft cloth with my hands, it would get stuck in the cracked skin. Yes, It got THAT bad.

I did not know what to do. Using only petroleum jelly did not work. But I also did not want to spend extra for my hand. So I started doing my research and applied those techniques on my hands. It took almost a week of methodical care to see the positive result. I know many of you probably are suffering from dry cracked hands currently. This is why I am sharing my experience and also sharing the advice from NYC board-certified dermatologist, Joyce Davis, M.D. about the best way to take care of dry hands and keep the hands and nails from cracking and becoming brittle.

8 basic type of products for dry hands care:

1. Moisturizing soap:

You can not stop washing your hands, but what you can do is choosing a moisturizing formula. Generally, I have found that anti-bacterial hand-washes are really drying. (If you have found one that is not drying, suggest me that in the comment box). I have listed some hand washes/ soaps below which you can try out.

MONEY SAVING TIP:
If you do not want to spend the extra money on new hands washes, you can definitely use your body wash as a hand wash. I use Softsoap Moisturizing Body Wash for the shower and it’s affordable and the formula is moisturizing. So I use it as a hand wash. My hands do not feel super dry afterward.

2. Hand Scrub:

Our hands go through so much wear and tear each day, it can get rough pretty easily. If you got cracked skin then you know that trying to peel it off is a bad idea. This is why you can use a hand scrub and massage it on your hands and cuticles to take off the dead skin. This step is crucial if you want the next step to work properly.

MONEY SAVING TIP:
You can easily use your body scrub as a hand scrub. If you do not own one, make a scrub with coarse sugar+ olive oil. Or you can follow this Homemade Cinnamon scrub formula.

3. Moisturizer:

After washing and scrubbing, comes the most important part. Moisturizing. Maybe you do not need one if you are young, but due to excessive hand washing and age our hands get drier and cuticles get messy. This why ALWAYS moisturize after you wash your hands.
To quote the expert:

“Keep a lotion near each sink and make sure to moisturize your hands and cuticles, the skin attached to your nails.  This will help to prevent cuticles from getting split and painful.“

Joyce Davis, M.D.

MONEY SAVING TIP:
I tried a DIY trick and mixed 1/3rd olive oil and 2/3rd body lotion. It works great as a DIY hand moisturizer. I just take an empty body lotion bottle, mix these 2 and shake the bottle before each use. Voila!

4. Supplements:

According to Joyce Davis, M.D., “Taking supplements with vitamin E and biotin or collagen will also help strengthen your nails and keep your skin from drying out. I like vitafusion Gorgeous Hair Skin and Nails because not only does it have vitamin E and biotin but it is a complete multivitamin as well.“

MONEY SAVING TIP:
There is no money saving tip I can give here. Just talk to your physician before taking anything, specially if you are pregnant or nursing.

5. Protection:

I don’t mind doing housework, but I hate how my hands feel after I wash the dishes. Specially my nails get dry, cracked and my cuticles tear. Here is what Dr. Davis has to say, “When doing wet housework make sure to wear protective gloves.  The cleaning ingredients that cut grease also strip the protective oils from your skin and hands.” This also applies when you are doing gardening work. Wear a pair of gloves.

MONEY SAVING TIP:
Instead of one-time use gloves, use a pair of reusable silicone gloves. I have listed some affordable options here:

6. Hand Masks:

Yup, I know what you are thinking. Hand masks sound redundant and a complete waste of money, but it’s not. There are many masks targeted specifically for hands and cuticles like this Patchology Perfect Ten Self-Warming Hand & Cuticle Mask. A mask like this is a great option for a pamper spa-night at home.

MONEY SAVING TIP:
Use your regular face masks on your hands. Whenever you are using a face mask, use it on your hands too. It’s that simple!

7. Anti-aging care:

Have you started your anti-aging skincare ritual yet? If not, you should. Here is one of my previous articles to get you started: How To Avoid Premature Skin Aging and What Beauty Regimens To Follow.
Let me be honest, I just use whatever moisturizer I find for my hand and call it a day. Anti-aging hand care products are the last thing in my mind when I am doing my beauty routine. But a couple of weeks ago, I was browsing through my previous posts in my Instagram and noticed how my hands have changed throughout the years. Age is definitely showing!

MONEY SAVING TIP:
The fancy anti-aging product you are using for your face- use it on your hands too. The serums, oils and the moisturizers. It’s better if you do it at night so that the products have a better chance to get absorbed and work their wonders. I have started doing it, let’s do it together!

8. Protect from Sun:

We should all use sunscreen to the exposed areas of our bodies, but somehow the hands get neglected. You do not have to buy something super expensive, drugstore has a good collection of affordable and effective products like Neutrogena Hydro Boost Sunscreen SPF 50. I have been using their sunscreens for my hands and body for a long time and it works.

MONEY SAVING TIP:
If you buy a product that feels greasy or thick on your face, don’t throw it out yet, rather use it on your hands. I have found that thicker formulas work better on my dry hands.

Taking care of dry hands should not feel like extra work, if you do it regularly alongside your facial skin. Do you want more hand care tips? Check out Busy and Lazy Girl’s Hand Care Guide At Home.

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