Dry hands are characterised by dehydrated, cracked skin on the hands which can be caused by a wide variety of reasons, the most common culprit being lack of moisture. Dry hands aren’t typically indicative of serious health conditions and can be prevented and treated with appropriate care. What do dry hands indicate? Although dry hands are not typically a cause for worry, if your dryness continues even after you’ve tried treatments, it would be a good idea to consult a doctor. Chronic dryness may be indicative of underlying health issues like psoriasis, atopic dermatitis or kidney disease. Symptoms of dry hands

• Flakiness
• Rough texture
• Itchiness
• Loss of elasticity and tightness
• Dullness
• Peeling skin
• Pain or burning
• Cracks in the skin

Causes of dry & cracked hands Contrary to what you might think, dry hands aren’t just caused due to a lack of moisturisation, there are many other factors which could be the reason for your dry hands. Some of these factors are-

• Weather- Cold or dry weather with low levels of humidity can cause the skin to lose moisture and become dry.

• Age– As you get older, your sebaceous glands become less active and produce lesser amounts of sebum which is required to keep your skin moisturised. This is the reason why older people are more likely to suffer from dryness.

• Harsh soaps- Harsh soaps or detergents contain chemicals which remove oil and have the potential to irritate the skin, leaving it dry and dull.

• Hot water- Hot water can damage the epidermal barrier leaving the skin devoid of moisture.

• Skin conditions- Certain skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis can lead to dry skin.

Tips to relieve dryness on hands

• Moisturise- Use a good moisturiser to treat dry hands. Make sure to keep your skin hydrated throughout the day, you can even go one step further and provide intensive care for your dry hands by slathering a moisturiser on and keeping your hands covered overnight. You can use moisturisers with occlusive ingredients which prevent trans-epidermal water loss.

• Use gloves- Gloves can help protect your hands from environmental factors and prevent moisture loss.

• Consider using medication- It’s possible that you may have skin conditions which can cause dry skin, consider consulting a dermatologist to get a diagnosis and use specific medications to treat your dry skin. Your dermatologist may prescribe steroids, they may even suggest oral or injectable treatments for more severe cases.

• Exfoliate- Exfoliation is important to slough away dead skin cells. You can use AHAs or BHAs to gently exfoliate your skin. Lactic Acid is an AHA that’s best suited for those with dry skin as it’s mild and hydrates the skin while exfoliating.

Use gentle soaps- Consider using gentle soaps with hydrating and soothing ingredients to prevent irritation which can aggravate dryness. Remedies for dry hands in winters It’s important to take care of your hands regardless of the season, but as humidity takes a nosedive, winters especially can wreak havoc on your dry skin. Here’s how you could provide some extra care for your mitts in winters.

• Use a good moisturiser like the Deconstruct NMF Hydrating Moisturiser, which consists of many moisturising ingredients including oils to prevent dryness. Look for ingredients like Glycerin, Oats, Shea Butter and Vitamin E which will help provide your dry hands a much required dose of hydration.

• Certain environmental factors, especially the cold winds during winters can cause your hands to dry out. Try using gloves and protect your hands every time you step out.

• Consider adding oils to your skincare routine. Oils can prevent dryness by deeply moisturising the skin and strengthening the skin barrier. Some oils also have many added benefits like anti-aging, soothing or anti-microbial properties which is just a little something extra your dry skin may need.

Anti-aging treatments for dry hands If your face gets a whole skincare routine why shouldn’t your hands? Here’s how you could show your dry hands some love and protect them from accelerated signs of aging-

• Use Aloe Vera to treat your dry hands. Aloe Vera is a gentle, soothing ingredient and studies have shown that it’s effective in getting rid of signs of aging such as wrinkles and fine lines by increasing collagen and hydrating the skin. This easily accessible ingredient, that most of us take for granted, can do wonders for your dry skin.
• As we mentioned before, making oils a part of your skincare routine could not only be beneficial in treating dry hands, but can also help prevent signs of aging. You can go for oils like Rosehip, Ylang Ylang, Pomegranate and Frankincense which may be helpful in restoring the skin.
• Consider using retinol to prevent signs of aging. Since retinol may have exfoliating properties, amp up on your moisturiser to prevent any excessive dryness. Try using a serum like Deconstruct Retinol and Peptide serum or even better, choose a retinol-based moisturizer to treat dryness and signs of aging in one go.

How to prevent dry hands?

• The easiest way to prevent dry skin on hands is by moisturising your skin regularly. You may be tired of hearing this but just slathering on a bit of moisturiser every night before going to bed could actually be the solution to many of your skin woes.
• Washing your hands is essential, especially considering the scenario today. While washing hands is unavoidable, what you can do is avoid using hot water and harsh chemicals. These can cause harm to your epidermal barrier and lead to chronic dryness.
• Consider using a humidifier if you live in dry or cold climates which can be especially drying for the skin.
• Most of us have a dedicated skincare routine for our faces (If you don’t you should! You can read our blogs about ideal skincare routines for your skin type) and you can prevent dry skin on hands by just including them in this routine. After applying any product on your face, apply any leftover products on your neck and hands. This could ensure healthy skin on your neck and hands.

• Opt for comfortable clothing with natural fabrics such as cotton and silk which are gentle and minimise the risk of irritation. These fabrics don’t restrict the skin and allow it to breathe efficiently.

Conclusion Dealing with dry skin on hands can be quite an ordeal, especially if nothing seems to work. It’s important to hydrate the skin inside and out, drink plenty of water and use a moisturiser to treat and prevent dryness. Follow other precautions and you should be able to treat dryness in no time. In case your dryness doesn’t resolve even after following the precautions and taking care, consider consulting a dermatologist to diagnose any underlying condition which may be the cause for your dry hands. FAQs

• Is hand dryness a chronic condition?

Typically dry hands resolve with proper moisturisation, but in some cases it could be indicative of some conditions such as eczema or psoriasis which may cause chronic hand dryness.

• What is the best way to treat dry hands?

The best way to treat your dry hands is by determining the underlying cause and eliminating it. For example, if using harsh soaps is what’s causing your hands to become dry and cracked, switch to a milder soap. It also helps if you keep your hands moisturised. Consider using an oil or a hydrating moisturiser to prevent dryness through the day.

• What ingredients are good for dry hands?

Ingredients like Glycerin, Oats, Shea Butter, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide and Vitamin E can be beneficial in treating dry hands. You can also add oils like Rosehip, Olive, Argan and Frankincense oil in your skincare routine.