6 Ways To show dry hands some love

Key Takeaways

• Understand Hand Dryness Causes: Hands have fewer oil glands than other body parts, making them vulnerable to: Dryness, Hot/cold water, household cleaners, cold weather, and aging strip natural oils, causing rough, tight, or cracked skin.
• Switch to Moisturizing Hand Wash: Use Dove Advanced Care Coconut & Almond Milk Foaming Hand Wash to nourish while also cleaning. Wash with lukewarm water (not hot) and wear gloves when doing dishes to protect from harsh detergents.
• Choose Gentle Hand Sanitizers: Traditional sanitizers with high alcohol content dry out hands. Dove Nourishing Hand Sanitizer with Moisture Renew Blend keeps hands 99% germ-free while maintaining softness. Always apply hand cream after sanitizer dries.
• Build a Targeted Hand Care Routine: Use Dove Care & Protect Antibacterial Hand Wash or Dove Moisturizing Hand Wash. Apply hand cream while hands are slightly damp. Look for hyaluronic acid, ceramides, shea butter, and glycerin ingredients.
• Try Overnight Intensive Treatment: Before bed, wash hands with gentle moisturizing hand wash, apply a thick layer of rich hand cream, then wear clean cotton gloves while sleeping. This allows moisturizing ingredients to fully penetrate skin. Even once-a-week treatment helps extremely dry hands.
• Keep Hand Cream Everywhere: Stash hand cream by the sink, in your bag, at your desk, and in the car. Apply after every handwashing, focusing extra cream on knuckles and between fingers where dry cracked hands show first.

Understand why our hands get so dry

There will always be times when we find our skin feeling rough, tight, or even painfully dry cracked hands. Understanding the causes is the first step to effective hand care.

Our hands naturally have fewer oil glands compared to most other body parts, making them more vulnerable to dryness and cracking, especially during colder months. Factors like regular exposure to hot and cold water, harsh household cleaners, and cold weather all contribute to stripping the skin's natural oils, leading to dry hands.

Aging also plays a role; as we get older, our skin produces less of its natural moisturizing factors, increasing the likelihood of dry skin on hands.

Quick Tip: Take a moment to check your hands now. Do you notice any redness, flaking, or rough patches? These are clear signs that your dry hands are in need of a little more moisture and a dedicated hand care routine.

Change up your washing routine for softer hands

Frequent handwashing can be a major contributor to dry hands. Each wash can strip away some of the natural oils vital for a healthy skin barrier, often leading to dry skin on hands. This doesn't mean we should wash less; it means we need to be smarter about how we care for our hands before and after washing.

Our Dove Advanced Care Coconut & Almond Milk Foaming Hand Wash is designed to help nourish and protect your hands while effectively cleaning them, making it an excellent choice for a moisturizing hand wash.

When tackling household chores like doing dishes, consider using gloves to shield your dry hands from hot water and harsh detergents, which can exacerbate dryness.

Quick Tip: Lukewarm water is much kinder to dry skin on hands than hot water, which can strip away natural oils faster, leaving your hands feeling tight and uncomfortable.

Choose hand sanitizers wisely for dry hands

Let's talk about that bottle of hand sanitizer in your bag. While traditional sanitizers are effective germ-fighters, their high alcohol content can leave hands feeling uncomfortable and dry. For those with dry hands, selecting the right hand sanitizer is key.

Our Dove Nourishing Hand Sanitizer with Moisture Renew Blend keeps germs at bay while being gentle on your skin. It helps keep your hands 99% germ-free while still feeling soft and comfortable, making it a great option for on-the-go hand care.

Remember, whenever possible, washing with a moisturizing hand wash remains our preferred method for keeping hands both clean and cared for. Think of sanitizer as your convenient backup plan for moments when a sink isn't readily available.

Quick Tip: After using even the most moisturizing hand sanitizer, apply a nourishing hand cream once it's dry to replenish any lost moisture and help prevent dry cracked hands.

Create a targeted hand care routine

Let's establish a hand care routine that's both simple and effective for combating dry cracked hands and maintaining soft, healthy skin.

First, consider replacing harsh soaps that leave your hands feeling tight and uncomfortable. Our Dove Care & Protect Antibacterial Hand Wash contains moisturizers that work to clean and nourish simultaneously. Alternatively, you can use Dove Moisturizing Hand Wash for gentle cleansing.

Lukewarm water is your ally. While hot water might feel comforting, it can strip away your skin's natural moisture more quickly. After washing, gently pat your hands dry. The ideal moment to apply hand cream is while your hands are still slightly damp, as this helps lock in moisture.

For those dealing with seriously dry skin on hands, we've found these ingredients make a significant difference:

• Hyaluronic acid: A powerful moisture magnet that draws hydration to the skin.
• Ceramides: These help rebuild and strengthen your skin's protective barrier.
• Shea butter or coconut oil: Nature's moisturizing powerhouses, known for their rich emollient properties.
• Glycerin: An effective humectant that draws moisture to your skin's surface.

Don't forget to keep hand cream accessible everywhere. Stash it by the sink, in your bag, at your desk, and in the car, making it easy to apply whenever your dry hands need attention.

Quick Tip: Focus extra cream on knuckles and between fingers, as these areas often show the first signs of dry cracked hands.