DU'IT tough hands returns moisture to working hands

Hand care routine for working hands: 4 dermatologist-backed steps

Posted on Posted in Blog, Face, Hands

Whether you’re in construction, hospitality, or healthcare, following a consistent hand care routine can help prevent dry, cracked skin. In this guide, we’ll cover dermatologist-backed hand care tips to help repair and protect your hands — no matter how hard they work.

Table of contents

  • Cleansing
  • Exfoliating
  • Moisturising
  • Protecting

Why a hand care routine matters for hard-working hands

Hands are often the first part of the body to show signs of dryness, irritation and premature ageing — especially if they’re exposed to harsh environments daily. A consistent routine for dry hands helps:

  • Maintain the skin’s protective barrier
  • Prevent painful cracks and infections
  • Improve texture and appearance over time

Common causes of damaged working hands:

  • Frequent hand washing or sanitiser use
  • Contact with harsh cleaning agents or chemicals
  • Exposure to cold, dry weather
  • Repetitive friction or tool use

What do working hands look like?

Working hands are constantly exposed to harsh environments — from detergents and cleaning agents to frequent hand washing and tool use. Over time, this leads to:

  • Dry, flaky skin
  • Rough, callused palms
  • Peeling fingertips
  • Redness, irritation or even painful cracks

Because the skin’s barrier is constantly disrupted, working hands are more vulnerable to long-term damage. Without proper care, this can escalate into chronic skin conditions such as eczema or contact dermatitis.



The best hand care routine for working hands

Cleansing

The first step in any good hand care routine is proper cleansing. For working hands, it’s important to avoid traditional soaps that contain fragrances or harsh sulphates — these can strip away natural oils and worsen dryness.

Check the label before using any hand cleanser, and choose ingredients that offer moisturising benefits.

One great option is DU’IT Tough Shield Sanitising, a non-drying sanitiser made for working hands. It contains 75% alcohol to kill 99.99% of germs quickly — without needing to rinse — while being enriched with:

  • Panthenol
  • Hyaluronic acid
  • Glycerin

This powerful yet gentle blend keeps hands clean, soft and protected.



What do people love about Tough Shield?

“I have used hand sanitisers from different brands and the DU’IT Tough Shield hand sanitiser is one of the best. This hand sanitiser is quick-dry, non-sticky and is hydrating on hands. It is super affordable to have a few bottles in my handbags and it is my must-haves when I’m travelling. I stock up the larger size at home and office especially during the colder months.”

Hand care tip: If you wash your hands frequently during the day, apply hand cream immediately after drying to prevent moisture loss.


Exfoliating

According to dermatologists, our hands — just like our face — benefit from regular exfoliation. Exfoliating helps remove dead skin cells, improve rough texture and enhance the absorption of hand creams.

Try DU’IT Tough Scrub, an award-winning exfoliator made with:

  • Natural walnut shell — gently lifts dirt, odour and grease
  • Moisturising base — leaves hands soft and refreshed

It’s perfect after washing with lukewarm water and ideal for thick calluses or post-labour grime.

What do people love about Tough Scrub?

“I get very dry hands that crack, bleed and scab during the winter months, and the exfoliation is beneficial for hands that really need a thorough cleaning after heavy work. Tough Scrub is surprisingly moisturising for an exfoliating product. It leaves hands feeling soft, smooth and hydrated and the lovely scent tends to linger.”



Moisturising

A good hand cream is essential — especially for working hands. Apply after washing and before bed to relieve dryness and help repair skin damage.

Our recommendation? Try DU’IT Tough Hands, Australia’s No.1 hand cream, designed for tradies, hospitality staff, and healthcare professionals.

Its heavy-duty formula includes:

  • 10% UREA — restores moisture and softens skin
  • Vitamin E — soothes and repairs
  • Tea tree extract — calms irritation and promotes healing
  • Dimethicone — forms a protective barrier for lasting hydration

What do people love about Tough Hands?

“I bought this for my husband as he has tradie hands“ and needed something that works fast. It contains AHAs plus moisturising agents, which really helped my husband’s hands that were so bad I thought nothing would help. This product is magic! It is the best hand cream we’ve tried. If you use it at night, you’ll wake up to new hands! It is great for women too.”


Protecting

Dermatologists recommend wearing gloves when performing heavy tasks, handling chemicals or working in wet environments. This helps reduce friction, prevent further dryness and block irritants.

Protective hand care tips:

  • Wear cotton-lined gloves to reduce sweat build-up
  • Avoid wearing gloves for more than 20 minutes continuously
  • If not disposable, clean and dry your gloves thoroughly between uses

Our hands work hard — and they deserve protection. Incorporate Tough Hands as a barrier cream before and after work for maximum resilience.These protective hand care tips are essential to maintaining skin health throughout the day.


Frequently asked questions

What is the best hand care routine?

A consistent routine includes cleansing with a gentle soap, exfoliating 1–2 times a week, moisturising with a urea-based cream, and protecting with gloves or barrier creams.

We recommend starting with DU’IT Tough Shield Sanitising for cleansing, followed by DU’IT Tough Scrub for gentle exfoliation. Finish with DU’IT Tough Hands — our clinically proven hand cream for dry, cracked hands.

How often should I apply hand cream?

At least 2–3 times daily — especially after washing your hands and before going to bed. For best results, use DU’IT Tough Hands consistently to maintain hydration and barrier protection.

Can I use an exfoliator on my hands?

Yes, gently exfoliate once or twice a week to remove dead skin cells and help creams absorb better. DU’IT Tough Scrub is a great option for working hands exposed to dirt and friction.

Which hand cream is best for working hands?

DU’IT Tough Hands is specifically formulated to treat dry, cracked and overworked hands. It contains 10% urea, glycerine, AHAs and vitamin E for intensive repair.


Need fast relief? — give your hands the care they deserve.

DU’IT is Australia’s No.1 hand cream brand, proudly 100% Australian made and scientifically developed by skincare experts. Our hand care range is designed to repair dry, rough and irritated skin — and is clinically proven to deliver visible results in just 1 day.

From cleansing to moisturising, DU’IT offers trusted solutions for every step of your hand care routine. Softer, healthier-looking hands start here.

Discover more DU’IT hand care products



Tough Shield

DU’IT Tough Shield 60ml

Hand Sanitiser | Kills 99.99% of germs fast without water. Enriched with a unique blend of moisturising panthenol, hyaluronic acid and glycerin, it leaves hands moisturised and protected. Non sticky formula, tough on germs and soft on hands.

Tough Scrub

DU’IT Tough Scrub 150g

DU’IT Tough Scrub is a 3-in-1 moisturising hand scrub that works as hard as your hands. This hand scrub cleans, exfoliates and moisturises the skin and contains no harsh chemicals or irritants that dry out the skin.

It cleans stubborn dirt, removes odour, grease and grime, whilst leaving your hands silky smooth.

Tough Hands

DU’IT Tough Hands 150g

DU’IT Tough Hands is a clinically proven, intensive strength hand cream for dry hands that works to seal cracks, replace lost oils, condition the skin and form a protective barrier to keep hands in top condition.

It’s Australia’s No.1 hand cream* (IRI data, Grocery & Pharmacy, 2021).

Repairs dry, rough, cracked, irritated and calloused hands, with visible effects in 1 day. It’s non-greasy, made in Australia and contains no nasties.

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