Dry and irritated hands during winter

Did you know that your hands are amongst the first parts of your body to show visible signs of aging? 

We all have skincare routines for our faces but in the process we often forget to take care of the ones that really put in all the hard work; our hands.

Having a hand care routine is just as important as having a skincare routine for the rest of your body, especially in winters when our hands are subject to drying and harsh winds as well as a lack of moisture. 

The absence of a hand care routine can lead to major concerns such as cracked and peeling skin leading to irritation, which can be a huge nuisance, leaving one feeling extremely uncomfortable. Here we have a few tips for you to avoid dry and itchy hands this winter, enabling you to have a merry time during the most awaited season of the year.

Don’t over-wash 

Our hands are exposed to a considerable amount of cleansing with soap and hand wash which leads to dry and flaky skin. Constant washing of hands not only leads to irritation, but also stripped and worn out skin, sometimes even resulting in peeling. Furthermore, it can result in skin conditions such as eczema. Always opt for a non-aggressive and gentle hand wash that won’t cause irritation. In case of unavailability of water, try Leovard’s Hand Sanitizer which doubles as a hand cream with nourishing ingredients like vitamin E, aloe vera and hyaluronic acid as well as silver ions known for their ability to kill microbes effectively. Another thing to note is the water temperature; it shouldn’t be too cold or too hot as hot water can lead to additional skin dryness whereas the latter can lead to redness.

Exfoliate

Exfoliating your hands is just as important as exfoliating your face. It will help slough off dead skin cells, removing the top layer of your hands, revealing the smooth skin underneath. Coconut oil and sugar can help you do the trick. Coconut oil has hydrating and nourishing properties that can help with moisturizing your hands as well. Make sure not to exfoliate dry and cracked hands, and instead focus on healing the skin first by moisturizing. Also, be sure to use gentle motions as being aggressive with physical scrubs can lead to cuts and irritation. You may try out a gentle chemical exfoliant instead. For normal skin, exfoliate your hands about twice a week.

 Moisturize 

Our hands are one of the most exposed areas of the body, which causes them to shed skin cells faster and more so during winters where your hands are already feeling dry and flaky. This is where moisturizing comes in. It is best to moisturize your hands right after you wash them to prevent the hand wash and soap from stripping off the skin’s natural oils. Religiously moisturizing your hands will help them retain their suppleness and moisture. Try to use moisturizers that have shea butter, hyaluronic acid or aloe vera in them as they are ideal for skin that gets dry and chapped easily. The Leovard Multicream is a lightweight and effective moisturizer containing the aforementioned ingredients, lending your skin the hydration and nourishment it needs to make it throughout the day.

Mask it

Just like our faces needs some extra attention from time to time, our hands need the same care as well. While we use hydrating face masks to rejuvenate and hydrate the skin, we can do the same for our hands to make them soft and smooth. It is important to treat yourself to a hand mask once a week, to give it the hydration and nourishment it needs. You can buy one off the store or make one of your own using ingredients found in your pantry like avocado, lemon juice, coconut oil and jojoba oil. You can also apply a generous amount of Leovard’s Oil Fusion, a blend of eleven nourishing oils to help get rid of dry and flaky skin. Don’t forget to massage any leftover hand mask onto your nails and cuticles as they too need nourishment. 

Wear gloves 

If you are someone who works in the kitchen a lot or your job requires your hands a lot, then make sure to wear gloves, as this will ensure that your hands remain hydrated and don’t become itchy with the use of too much water, especially when the water is cold in the winters as this will make your hands feel itchy and irritated.

As the weather gets colder, the wind can strip the skin of all its natural oils, which is why it’s also important to cover your hands while you’re out and about. It’s easy to cover yourself up with a lot of layers but our hands and fingers are the ones left exposed, making the use of gloves important. Not covering your hands can lead to chapped hands which can become a nuisance, making you super uncomfortable and self-conscious.

Takeaway 

Your best bet to having soft, smooth and silky hands during winters is to take preventative steps and have a hand care routine in place, as mentioned above. We hope you found the information helpful and will be able to enjoy a merry time this season as a result!