Dry hands are a common skin condition that many people experience at various points in their lives. The skin on our hands is particularly susceptible to dryness because it is often exposed to the environment and subjected to frequent washing and use. The primary causes of dry hands can be categorized into environmental, lifestyle, and medical factors.
Environmental Factors
One of the most significant contributors to dry hands is exposure to harsh weather conditions, particularly cold and windy weather. During the winter months, the air is less humid, which leads to moisture being drawn out from the skin, resulting in very dry skin. Additionally, exposure to sun and wind can also cause the skin to lose its moisture barrier.
Lifestyle Factors
Frequent hand washing, especially with hot water and harsh soaps, strips the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness. This is particularly relevant for people in professions that require frequent hand hygiene, such as healthcare workers, chefs, and cleaners. Furthermore, the use of hand sanitizers, which often contain alcohol, can exacerbate the issue by further dehydrating the skin, causing cracked hands.
Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions can cause dry hands. Atopic dermatitis is a condition characterized by inflamed, itchy skin, and dry skin. Psoriasis is another condition that causes skin cells to build up rapidly on the surface of the skin, forming scales and dry patches. These conditions weaken the skin barrier.
How to Treat Dry Hands: Effective Dry Hands Treatment
Treating dry hands involves a combination of preventive measures and the use of topical treatments to restore moisture and maintain healthy skin.
Preventive Measures
To prevent dry hands, it’s crucial to protect them from harsh environmental conditions. Wear gloves during cold weather, as well as when performing tasks that involve water or chemicals such as washing dishes. Avoid using hot water when washing hands frequently can also be beneficial. This helps prevent very dry skin and keeps the skin soft.
Hand Creams
The regular use of moisturizing creams is essential to treat dry skin. These products help to replenish the skin’s moisture and create a protective barrier to prevent further moisture loss. It’s best to apply moisturizer after washing hands and before going to bed to allow the skin to absorb the moisture overnight, aiding in the care of sensitive skin.
Best Ingredients to Treat Dry Hands
When choosing a hand cream, it’s important to look for products containing effective moisturising ingredients. Some of the best ingredients for dry hands treatment to look for include:
Urea
Urea is a particularly effective ingredient for treating dry hands due to its dual action as a humectant and keratolytic. Urea not only helps to attract moisture to the skin but also breaks down hardened protein (keratin) in the outer layer of the skin. This dual action makes urea highly effective in both hydrating the skin and helping to exfoliate and remove dead skin cells. Urea is especially useful for individuals with severely dry and rough skin, as it softens the skin and enhances the absorption of other moisturizing ingredients, ensuring healthy skin.
Glycerin
A humectant that draws moisture into the skin from the environment and deeper layers of the skin. It helps to keep the skin hydrated by attracting water and maintaining moisture levels, thereby helping to treat very dry skin.
Dimethicone
A silicone-based ingredient that forms a protective barrier on the skin’s surface, helping to lock in moisture and protect the skin from external irritants, which is crucial for skin care.
Formulated with ultra-moisturising urea, glycerin and dimethicone, this non-greasy, long-lasting hand moisturiser Tough Hands is clinically proven to repair dry, rough and cracked skin with visible effects within 1 day. It works to seal cracks, provide intensive hydration and strengthen the skin’s protective barrier, leaving your hands soft and smooth. Additionally, Tough Hands is also 100% free from parabens, mineral oil or other irritating chemicals, making it suitable for all skin types. We recommend applying a pea-sized amount onto your hands, then gently massaging into dry palms and cracked knuckles until the cream absorbs.
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.
