Dry hands and stubborn cracks that never want to heal are a major problem for many people. Here are four simple tips on what you can do about this skin problem.
1. Wash with mild soaps
The first thing everyone thinks of is hand creams. But if you want to tackle the problem, you should first look at what you wash your hands with. Common conventional hand soaps rarely contain anything nourishing and have such strong soap agents to make the product economical. The soaps wash away the natural oils in the skin and are very drying. Without the natural oils in the skin, there's nothing to protect the skin and keep it supple. When the skin is stiff and dry, it cracks easily.
Soaps we gladly recommend are:
Dr. Bronners & Vermont Soaps are both concentrated and lather very well. Their liquid soaps are therefore excellent to dilute with water. Note that the liquid soaps in large bottles don't contain thickening agents, so they are runny soaps. We know that many people don't like bar soaps because they get slimy, but we warmly recommend bar soaps because they lather so wonderfully while being mild and non-drying. They're perfect for those with dry, dirty hands. As a bar soap, Aleppo soap made from bay oil and olive oil also works very well for dry hands.
2. Care for your hands with creams
It's difficult to wash with good soaps at work or school. Then you can use hand creams to add moisture and nourishment to the skin after hand washing and in the evening before bedtime. Apply generously in the evening and feel free to put on a pair of thin cotton gloves.
Weleda Skin Food
A thick and slightly sticky cream, but excellent as it contains lanolin which feels amazing on skin cracks. It softens hard skin and makes it easier for the skin to heal. Water-free and therefore excellent in winter cold.
Zoya goes pretty
Really lovely and neat jar to carry with you. Perfect if you're out a lot in the cold. They provide fantastic weather protection while softening and caring for your skin.
3. Hand washing with rubber gloves
Don't underestimate dishwashing gloves! Dishwashing detergents are made to be fierce at dissolving grease, and that includes the natural skin oils on your hands. Moreover, water is also drying in itself, so bring out the dishwashing gloves. It makes a bigger difference than you might think.
4. Protect your hands from cold
Last but not least! Protect your hands from cold and wind with warm gloves, this is especially important if you cycle a lot.
Even if you're good with everything else, but don't protect your hands from the cold, the skin can crack which makes it harder for skin fissures to heal.
