6 Ways To show dry hands some love

Understand why our hands get so dry

There will always be times when we find our skin feeling rough, tight, or you might even have painfully dry cracked hands. 

Our hands have fewer oil glands than most parts of our body, making them naturally more vulnerable to dryness and cracking, especially in winter months. 

Regular use of hot and cold water, household cleaners and cold weather all combine to dry out the skin on your hands. 

Aging can play a part too, as we get older, our skin produces less of its natural moisturizing factors. 

Quick Tip: Take a moment to check your hands now. Do you see any redness, flaking, or rough patches? These are signs your dry hands are in need of a little more moisture.

Change up your washing routine

Handwashing can be a big culprit for drying out the skin on our hands. Each wash strips away a little more of the natural oils that keep our skin barrier healthy, often leading to dry skin on hands.

Does this mean we should wash less? Definitely not. It just 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, helps to nourish and protect your hands while cleaning them. 

When you do have to do the dishes. use gloves to protect your dry hands from hot water and harsh detergents. 

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

Choose hand sanitizers wisely

Let's talk about that bottle of sanitizer in your bag. Is hand sanitizer safe for cleaning dry skin? The traditional ones are fantastic germ-fighters, but with high alcohol content, they can leave our hands feeling really uncomfortable and dry.

Our Dove Nourishing Hand Sanitizer with Moisture Renew Blend keeps germs at bay while also being kind to your skin. It keeps your hands 99% germ-free while still feeling soft and comfortable.

Remember though, whenever you have the chance, washing with a moisturizing hand wash is still our favorite way to keep hands both clean and cared for. Think of sanitizer as your on-the-go backup plan for those moments when a sink isn't anywhere to be found.

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

Create a targeted hand care routine

Let's create a hand care routine that's as easy as it is effective for combating dry cracked hands. 

First things first, ditch the harsh soaps that leave your hands feeling tight and uncomfortable. Our Dove Care & Protect Antibacterial Hand Wash contains moisturizers that work together to clean and nourish at the same time. Or you can use Dove Moisturizing Hand Wash.

Lukewarm water is your friend. Hot water might feel good in the moment (especially on chilly days), but it actually strips away more of your skin's natural moisture. After washing, gently pat your hands dry, and while they're still slightly damp, that's the perfect moment to apply hand cream.

For those of us dealing with seriously dry skin on hands, we've found these ingredients make all the difference:

• Hyaluronic acid – a moisture magnet
• Ceramides – these help rebuild your skin's protective barrier
• Shea butter or coconut oil – nature's moisturizing powerhouses
• Glycerin – draws moisture to your skin's surface

Don’t forget to stash hand cream everywhere. By the sink, in your bag, at your desk, in the car, making it impossible to forget when you notice your dry hands need attention.

Quick Tip: Focus extra cream on knuckles and between fingers where dry cracked hands often show the first signs of trouble.

Try overnight intensive treatment

One of the best times to really beat hand dryness is at night. While you're catching those Zs, your hands get uninterrupted treatment time (and no handwashing to undo all your good work).

Try this before-bed routine that we've found really works for dry cracked hands:

1. Wash with a gentle, moisturizing hand wash

2. Apply a thick layer of your richest hand cream

3. For extra-dry hands, slip on a pair of clean cotton gloves (or even clean cotton socks in a pinch)

4. Wake up to noticeably softer hands

This nighttime treatment works wonders because it creates an environment where moisturizing ingredients can fully penetrate your skin. It's particularly effective for those tough, dry areas like knuckles and fingertips that need extra attention.

Quick Tip: Make this intensive treatment part of your weekend self-care routine if nightly feels like too much commitment. Even once a week can make a difference for extremely dry hands.

To learn more about how to moisturize your whole body have a look at our Body Wash for dry skin 101 article.