Save Your Hands From Winter Dryness

By Rebecca

Living in a dry climate, it's always a challenge to keep my hands from cracking in the winter. Even though it's not terribly cold here, I wash my hands constantly to avoid all the germs and viruses that come home with my kids. I shake my fist at you, preschool! Because all this good hygiene can do a number on your hands.

If you're starting out with cracked, red, peeling hands, then my triage approach is simple: just smear a thick layer of Aquaphor all over them every night until it improves. Usually this will only take a couple of days. When I do this to my daughter's hands, they usually show an improvement overnight!

Aquaphor: the cheap 'n' greasy solution to your dry hands!

(photo credit: walmart.com)

Then, once you are ready for more of a maintenance solution, do the following:

First, apply C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve all around your cuticles.

I mean, really. Who can resist this cute packaging?

(Photo credit: bathandbodyworks.com)

Then, smear on some True Blue Spa Super Rich Hand Cream. It's thick but not greasy, and soaks in nicely.

It ain't fancy, but it works.

(Photo credit: bathandbodyworks.com)

I find that the combination of the thicker salve around my nails and cuticles, with the much less greasy shea butter cream on the rest of my hands is a nice balance and really keeps the dryness at bay. Plus, it gives you a hint of the rose scent without going overboard.

What do you do to get rid of dry hands?

Comments

[Em]

I can't tolerate anything greasy on my hands. I have friends who have recommended hand creams to me swearing they are not greasy but if the product doesn't dry on my hands I can't stand it! As a result, I only use cocoa/shea butter.

[Heather]

I use Mary Kay's Extra Emollient Night Cream, in conjunction with whatever lotion I have...just use a bit of each at the same time. It initally feels "slathery", but then my hands are really soft.