1. Moisturise your hands
Washing your hands frequently during the day dries out your hand’s skin quickly, particularly in winter. So try to use a good quality hand moisturiser and apply on hands at least thrice a day. A heavier oil-based cream is good for the night, so that it may soak in while you are sleeping to leave soft and hydrated hands in the morning. In the summers use a light non-greasy moisturiser and in the winters opt for something heavier like body butter.
2. Wash your hands
When you wash your hands, ensure that you wash your hands in lukewarm water all year round. Too hot water or too cold water tends to damage the skin. And avoid antibacterial soaps as it can make your skin dry and sometimes do more harm than good.
3. Scrub your hands
Scrub your hands at least once a week with a good exfoliating agent to get rid of any dead skin. Or you can make a scrub at home and gently rub back of your damp hands with salt or sugar, then rinse. The grainy texture of the salt scrape away old dead skin cells and improves blood circulation, making your hands’ skin look fresh and glowing.
4. Massage your hands
While applying hand lotion on your hands, give them a quick massage. Always massage your hands at night for at least five minutes to let the goodness of the moisturiser soak in. Using cream or oil, massage up and down your fingers and the rest of your hand in a circular motion as this will help to relax and release any stress or pain in your hands.
5. Use hand gloves
Consider wearing hand care gloves before exposing your hands to a lot of water, chemicals or while working in the garden. You may not always remember to use them, but even if you do it half the time, it cuts down on excessive drying of the skin. For light yard work and gardening, cloth gloves are usually effective in protecting your hands from dirt and grime.
