Very dry skin of hands: what to do? Cosmetic and folk remedies for skin care

Do you have very dry skin? What if the usual creams and lotions do not help, and the skin condition worsens every day? Fortunately, there are very simple tools and quite affordable procedures that will heal, protect and soften rough, cracked skin.

Why do cracks appear on your hands?

Everyone knows that the hands are badly affected by bad weather, excessive moisture, dirt, chemicals and sunlight. But what exactly leads to their deterioration?

The most common cause of dryness and cracks is a disruption of the normal functioning of the upper layer of the skin, which naturally should retain moisture and rejuvenate independently. However, frequent or too long exposure to sunlight, cold air, wind, dirt, chemical reagents and many other factors gradually damages this layer, leading to loss of ability to retain moisture. Damaged skin also becomes more susceptible to polluted environment and ultraviolet radiation accelerating the process of aging cells.

Risk factors

Factors that make skin dry on the hands and crack its upper protective layer are listed below. It:

• Dry air. In regions with arid climate, and also during the cold winter months, even the air dries hands, depriving them of natural moisturizing.
• Water. If your profession involves frequent hand washing or immersion in water for a long time, loss of moisture is unavoidable: water rinses a layer of protective moisturizing fatty oils from the skin surface, and even regular cosmetologist services are not always effective.
• Chemicals. If you work daily with chemical reagents or regularly use synthetic detergents and cleaning products to clean the apartment, you can get very dry hands. Chemicals not only wash off natural fats that hold moisture, but also damage its upper layer, leaving the skin vulnerable to any negative environmental factors.
• Soap. If you constantly dry skin, the causes of discomfort, most likely, include the regular use of traditional lump soap. In addition, most modern cleaning products and various types of special hand soap also violate the integrity of the skin, slowing down normal recovery processes and leading to bleeding cracks.
• In addition to the above factors, skin diseases (for example, eczema and psoriasis), the effect of allergens and the intake of certain medications that can lead to a problem such as very dry skin of the hands are also mentioned.

What to do? Simple ways to improve the condition of the hands

• If possible, discard the use of soap. Avoid formulas with synthetic odorants, fragrances, preservatives and sulphates - they all cause dryness. Strongly foaming and antibacterial compounds can also deprive the skin of its natural fats. Try to choose moisturizing hygiene products and every time rinse your hands very carefully.
• Moisturize the skin. Appropriate creams, lotions and natural compounds (they will be discussed below) should be applied after each washing of hands. Carry your favorite means with you everywhere, including visiting and working. Try natural coconut oil - it is quickly absorbed, does not leave greasy marks and stickiness and effectively softens the skin after the negative impact of sunlight.
• Avoid dryers with hot air. Devices for drying hands with hot air are becoming increasingly popular, as they significantly save money and do not damage the environment, however, drying by this method can eventually lead to the appearance of cracks. If you already have very dry skin, what should you do in this case? Do not use the device - it's best to dry the drops of water with toilet paper (it's important not to rub, but gently pat on the skin), or just shake well with your hands, then apply moisturizing lotion on them.
• Wear gloves. Perhaps, having worried about the skin condition, you already have a special pair of gloves, but people tend to forget about new habits. Remember, however: the best treatment is prevention, and so you should wear gloves to protect your hands every time you work in the garden or just wash the dishes. Optimum choice of material - cotton, for work in the fresh air - leather. Do not buy vinyl gloves: they only contribute to dryness.

Scrub

Many have become accustomed to using a facial scrub, but few remember the hands, hoping for a store cream, oil, a cosmetologist's services or the simplest, but often incorrect, "time treats." Meanwhile, the skin on the hands, especially on the back of the palms, is very thin, fragile and vulnerable, and even more than some areas of the face. Using scrub (home peeling) allows you to get rid of old, dry and dead skin cells in time, so that new cells can take their place. If you have a very rough calloused skin, try rubbing it with pumice stone after a shower or a bath. However, pumice is not suitable for everyone. What if you have extremely sensitive, albeit very dry skin? What to do? A good solution to this problem is a normal face scrub designed for sensitive skin. You can do your own, completely homemade procedure: pick up a couple of tablespoons of sugar, pour a little olive oil in there and rub it well on both the palms and their back sides to get rid of the dead cells. This sugar scrub can be used up to four times a week, depending on the needs of your skin. Immediately after peeling, apply a moisturizer or lotion.

Day and night

Damaged hands need the most intensive moisturizing, so ideally they should be taken care of throughout the night. Apply the thickest cream or mask, jojoba oil or vitamin E and sit in a hot bath before going to bed. It is even better to put cotton gloves or woolen socks directly on moistened hands and go to bed. In the morning, do not forget to rinse your hands and fingers.

Use an air humidifier. It will be especially useful in the winter; Year-round it should be included in regions with an arid climate. It is best to install the device in the bedroom so that it works during your sleep.

Folk remedies

Of course, you can buy a balm or cream for dry skin (reviews are described as the most effective Neutrogena, "Ultra Moisturizing" from Garnier, "SOS-recovery" from Nivea, Lipikar Xerand from La Roche Posay) in a store or pharmacy, , Which composition is optimal for your skin. Many ingredients of finished cosmetics (such as fragrances, preservatives and thickeners) do not improve the condition of the hands, but, on the contrary, help to increase dryness. If this problem has touched you, try folk remedies for skin care proven by time and for many generations.

Olive oil

Olive oil contains many antioxidants and useful fatty acids that improve the skin condition. It can be used to treat not only the hands, but also the face, as well as the whole body.

• You use a moisturizer, but you still have very dry skin. Treatment in this case will consist in the following: apply olive oil of cold pressing a thin layer under the favorite cosmetic product.
• Approximately half an hour before taking a shower, rub a little oil in your hands, feet and other areas with dry skin and gently massage. Take a shower, then apply a light moisturizer.
• Mix two tablespoons of olive oil with four tablespoons of fine brown sugar and a spoon of honey. This scrub is well used in front of the shower.

Cream

The lactic acid contained in cream serves as a natural exfoliant. If your skin dries and cracks, despite all your efforts, use regular cream of medium fat instead of the purchased moisturizing agents. In addition to deep hydration, they help maintain a delicate pH balance in the skin of the hands.

• Mix a few drops of lemon juice, a teaspoon of milk and two teaspoons of cream. Rub the resulting remedy into the skin of the hands and feet. Leave it in the form of a mask for a while (thirty minutes will be enough), then take a shower. This procedure can be repeated every day.
• Take four tablespoons of chickpea flour and add enough cream to make a thick paste. This is an excellent mask for dry hands, which can also be applied to the feet and even on the face. Leave it for fifteen minutes and then rinse with warm water.

Honey

Honey is considered one of the most effective natural moisturizers, as it promotes retention of moisture in the skin, has an antimicrobial effect and contains antioxidants. If you have dry skin, there is no reason to panic: the regular use of honey for cosmetic purposes will eliminate the peeling and provide amazing smoothness and softness. In addition, this product contains important vitamins and minerals that maintain healthy skin.

• Before the bath or shower, rub honey into the skin and leave it for five to ten minutes. For ideal moisturizing, this procedure should be repeated daily.
• Measure out the same parts of natural honey, beeswax and olive oil. Melt the beeswax in a small frying pan over a small fire. Remove it from heat and add honey first, then olive oil. Apply the mixture to the entire body and leave for ten minutes. Then take a shower. It is advisable to repeat this procedure every other day.

Baths for dry skin

Finished oatmeal, as well as raw oat flakes, is the best healer for chapped hands. Mix oatmeal with slightly warmed olive oil or jojoba oil in a separate bowl and place your hands there for 10-15 minutes.