Dry skin and hands

Hands are often a neglected part of the daily skin care routine but are always on display and one the first parts of the body to show signs of aging. Simple steps to take care of them will give you better looking hands and nails and the first step is prevention of further damage. Hands are often exposed to the sun, particularly when we are driving, but often a  forgotten part of the body when applying sun block. A broad spectrum sun block should be applied whenever we are outdoors – keep some in the car to remind yourself to apply it. Age spots we see on people’s hands are not really as a result of getting older but of accumulative sun damage.

Hand care

Hands tend to have problems with dryness rather than oiliness as there are fewer glands that produce sebum. Therefore we need to replace the moisture we lose from the constant immersion in water that they undergo daily. Cleaning agents and detergents can be harsh and drying to the skin so the use of rubber gloves when doing dishes or cleaning is advisable. The same applies to gardening – gloves will serve to protect the hands and less scrubbing will be need to clean them. If gloves don’t appeal, the use of a good barrier cream will help stop chemicals and dirt entering the skin.

What to avoid

• Very hot and very cold water
• Harsh soaps and detergents that remove natural oils
• Sun damage from sun exposure
• Cleaning chemicals
• Nail products containing acetone or formaldehyde

What to do to look after your hands

• Always use a broad spectrum sun block
• Use gloves when gardening and using cleaning chemicals
• Avoid immersion in overly hot water and harsh detergents
• Use a hand moisturiser frequently to prevent the skin from drying out
• Moisturise after washing the hands
• Treat  them to a warm oil massage for deep moisturising

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What do I avoid if I have dry skin?

Mild dry skin can feel tight and uncomfortable but when it becomes more severe can have patches of red and flaking skin that are more obvious and embarrassing.  The skin can be quite sensitive as well so care should be taken to avoid irritating the skin as well as avoiding products that will dry out the skin. External causes or what are called environmental factors are things we can avoid to help our dry skin becoming worse Some of these include hot and cold winds, excessive sun exposure, showers or baths that are too long or too hot, air conditioning and central heating and using skin care products that are not suitable for dry skin.

There are causes of dry skin that we can control that are  internal such as hydration and diet. Avoiding dehydration is a must for people with dry skin. Drinking adequate water is essential and the amount should be enough to combat the amount of water our bodies naturally lose each day. If we are in a hot climate or exercise, the amount of water we drink needs to compensate for this. Choosing plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables to include in our daily food intake will also increase our water intake.

• Keep your baths and showers short.  Baths and showers can actually be drying for the skin – it temporarily adds moisture but we lose some of the lipid layer and this causes the skin to become even drier.

• Use lukewarm rather than hot water for the same reason

• Pat dry gently rather than rub with a towel.

• Avoid using skin care products with alcohol, perfumes, colourings and other ingredients that may be irritating. Dry skin is often sensitive.

• Avoid cleansers with soap or detergents in them.

• Prolonged exposure to heating and air conditioning and winds.

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View our Disclaimer Statement