What to do for severely dry hands

“Hands become more prone to dryness in the winter due to the lack of moisture in the air,” explains Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD, board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at the Shafer Clinic in New York City. “When the temperature begins to drop, the air becomes drier and harsher, which in turn weakens the skin barrier and pulls moisture from vulnerable skin. This often leads to dry, flaking, cracked hands.” And thanks to all of the additional safety measures we’re taking during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, our hands are losing even more moisture than usual. From washing our hands more often to all that sanitizer, they need more TLC than ever.

Below, Engelman shares her tips to help combat all these factors for soft, hydrated hands 365 days a year.

Tip no. 1: Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.

First and foremost, actually use all those hand creams you stocked up on. “Applying moisturizer to your hands throughout the day, especially after washing, will not only help soothe dryness but also prevent it from occurring in the first place,” explains Engelman.

Lano

Golden Dry Skin Salve

$18

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If you need something for intense dryness, Engelman calls this “the perfect moisturizer” for dry hands. “This salve is formulated with lanolin, Manuka honey and antioxidants that penetrate skin, leaving it nourished and hydrated," says the derm. "This particular formula is proven to last for over 48 hours and is free of parabens, sulfates, and artificial fragrances."

Kiehl's Since 1851

Ultimate Strength Hand Salve

$24

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With some of the best emollients in the game (shea butter, avocado oil, olive oil, etc.), this formula is in the hand cream Hall of Fame. Plus, at a hefty five ounces, the tube lasts forever.

Burt's Bees

Ultimate Care Hand Cream

$13

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This drugstore buy has soothing ingredients like green tea extract and watermelon oil to leave skin soft and hydrated.

L'Occitane

Shea Butter Hand Cream

$29

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This super-rich cult-favorite cream is made with a whopping 20% shea butter, plus nourishing coconut oil, honey, and almond extract.

Skinfix

Eczema+ Hand Repair Cream

$18

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Heavy-duty dryness and eczema calls for this specially formulated cream made with colloidal oatmeal and allantoin, a powerful humectant.

Jergens

Extra Moisturizing Hand Wash

$10

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It also helps to have a hand soap that adds moisture, rather than taking it away. Plus, this formula has the brand’s unmistakable cherry-vanilla scent. 

Dove

Nourishing Hand Sanitizer Deep Moisture

$5

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Finding a hydrating hand sanitizer is tough—after all, they are generally made with at least 60% alcohol—but this one from Dove leaves hands shockingly soft and moisturized while still maintaining the CDC’s strict safety standards.

Tip no. 2: Try a hand mask.

If hand cream just isn't cutting it, consider a mask. “Overnight hand masks are a great way to treat dry hands,” says the derm. “You can do this at home by applying rich, more occlusive creams or ointments (look for ingredients like shea butter, hyaluronic acid and ceramides) then covering them with gloves or socks while you sleep.” 

Kitsch

Moisturizing Spa Gloves

$22

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These gloves have a gel lining infused with jojoba oil, olive oil, and vitamin E—put them on over hand cream or Vaseline for an intensive moisturizing treatment. And yes: They work with your smartphone!

Lapcos

Hand Mask

$7

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The brand behind some of the best sheet masks for your face also makes an amazing hand mask formulated with strengthening ceramides and coconut milk.

Sally Hansen

Hydrating Hand Mask Treatment

$6

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Made with vitamin E, macadamia-nut oil, and shea butter, this mask both nourishes skin and strengthens nails.

Le Mini Macaron

Hand Mask

$5

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This moisturizing mask smells like dessert and has an Instagram-worthy macaron print.

Tip no. 3: Use a humidifier.

The dermatologist also recommends using a humidifier to control the moisture levels in your air. “During the winter months, the air is very dry both outside and inside your living spaces,” says Engelman. “Running a clean humidifier like the Canopy Humidifier improves the quality of your skin and makes your home a more comfortable place to be by adding moisture into the air and keeping your space at an optimal humidity level (40% to 60%).”

Canopy

Humidifier Starter Set

$150

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“A humidifier is a great way to prevent dry skin—not just on your hands but on your whole body too,” advises the derm. “The Canopy Humidifier is special because it uses evaporative (no-mist) technology to release pure, hydrated air, meaning that you don’t have to worry about mold growing or breathing in contaminants. It’s also dishwasher-safe and very easy to clean.”

Hey Dewy

Wireless Humidifier

$50

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A mini wireless humidifier is also a great option to have on hand for travel or for hours spent at a desk. 

Tip no. 4: Don't forget the gloves.

Depending on how cold it is where you live, you might not need a reminder, but just in case: “Because we are always using our hands, the skin of our hands is some of the most exposed on our whole bodies and, as a result, tends to suffer the most in winter,” says Engelman. “Washing your hands frequently can also strip your hands of their natural oils, worsening dryness. Gloves are a great way to mitigate damage.”

J.Crew

Ribbed Touch-Screen Gloves in Supersoft Yarn

$40

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“Wearing warm, protective gloves whenever you go outside in the winter prevents moisture from being pulled from the skin and helps keep your skin barrier healthy and hydrated,” says Engelman. We love this soft pair from J.Crew, which you can use with a touch screen. 

Williams Sonoma

Kitchen Gloves

$13

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And don’t forget about the protection your hands might need indoors as well. “Wearing rubber gloves whenever your hands are submerged in water—for example, doing the dishes—can also protect your skin barrier from weakening,” says the derm. “I recommend applying lotion before putting on gloves to trap in hydration and further heal and soothe dry hands.”

Tip no. 5: Exfoliate regularly.

Like the skin on the rest of our bodies, our hands benefit from gentle exfoliation. Just be careful not to overdo it: If you get regular manicures, you might already be getting scrubbed down enough—so listen to your skin, and only exfoliate when you need to

Exfoliating Hand Wash

Sachajuan

$35

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This luxe cleanser has micro-particles of pumice, so it gently exfoliates hands every time you wash your hands without being too harsh.

SheaMoisture

Coconut & Hibiscus Hand & Body Scrub

$12

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Keep this tropical scrub in the shower for use head-to-toe, and just don’t forget to give your hands a good scrub too.

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