When You Just Can't Handle Your Hands
Our skin is so important, point blank period! Most of us check out our faces in the mirror every day, buy products to keep our skin healthy and young, read blogs and articles to educate ourselves about how to look our best. But let's be honest, we are mostly focused on our faces and necks. What about our hands? Yes, in the cold winter months we do see more information out there and products for dryness but what if your hands are just always dry, cracked or problematic? We decided to dedicate this month's blog to the topic of hands because we get so many customers and clients who just can't seem to get their hands healthy.
scrub me secret: too often we hear "there is nothing I can do about my hands, they are always like this". Trust us, even if you've tried every moisturizer out there and nothing has worked there is still more that can be done. Be conscious of your hand soap, exfoliate gently a few times a week, mask your hands! There are so many more options than you think.
The Problem: Peeling/Frayed Cuticles - Cuticles are rough, dry, and peeling at the edges. Sometimes there are small cuts or sores when the skin is picked. The frayed cuticles can get caught when running hands over clothes or hair.
The Solution: Do not pick or trim your cuticles any further. Most likely your cuticles got this way from cutting them or picking them. Nourishment is needed in order to heal your hands. Use Neosporin or a similar healing ointment on any spots that are raw or scabbed.
scrub me secret: consistency is key when you're trying to heal your skin. The healing process and length of time is different for everyone. Sometimes it takes days to heal and sometimes it will take over a week. Stick with the daily treatment until the whole process is done or you will not get the results you want.
Keep cuticles moisturized using a shea or nourishing oil like argan on them. The evening is the best time to do this so the product can soak in without disruption. Wearing soft gloves to help the moisturizer sink in is also beneficial. Do this every night until the peeling is remedied. You may push your cuticles down with a proper tool but refrain from trimming or picking. Keeping up a routine of nourishing your cuticles at least 3 nights a week will ensure they stay in good condition.
The Problem: Dry/Cracked Hands - Hands are always rough, dry, and irritated. Sometimes skin is so dry it cracks, making hand movements and hand washing painful. Lotion does not always help.
The Solution: First, identify if you have any sensitivities or allergies to certain ingredients. Moisturizing after hand washing and showering is a must. Many soaps and hand washes strip oils and dry out the skin.
scrub me secret: Your hand soap or sanitizer could be the root of your dry hand issues. These products can dry out and throw off the balance of skin. This means your skin cannot properly retain moisture or produce enough natural oils to stay healthy.
For those with more sensitive skin daily moisturizing is not enough to keep hands soft. Using a hand soap that helps you retain moisture and balance is important in curing excessively dry hands. You'll probably want a travel soap if you're at work for long hours or are washing your hands a lot while you're out of the house. If you prefer a liquid soap over a bar soap we suggest a natural castile soap.
Our wellness energy scrub is best for dry hands.
Exfoliation is also needed to remove dead skin and stimulate live cells. Using a scrub with oils and healing ingredients is best. For a quick fix you can make an at-home scrub using granulated sugar and olive, coconut, or castor oil. You'll want to scrub gently as to not tear or irritate the skin. We suggest hydrating skin after exfoliation to lock in moisture.
The Problem: Callused Palms - Palms have small rough calluses, typically underneath the knuckles.
The Solution: To break down the tough skin there are a couple different exfoliation methods. A fruit enzyme, glycolic acid, or lactic acid will soften the skin and break down the thick layers. A physical exfoliation like a body scrub can be done once or twice daily to have the same effect. Enzymes or acids can be used less often and typically will have better results .
scrub me secret: treat your hands to a professional spa treatment! options like microdermabrasion, masking, body peels, and enzyme treatments are available for you.
Massaging a nourishing cream or oil onto palms can soften skin and create circulation and oxygen flow to promote cell turnover. Massage your palms once a day to soften calluses more quickly.
The Problem: Aging hands - Hands are wrinkled and have developed uneven color or sun spots.
The Solution: SPF should be the first thing on your list if aging hands is an issue for you. Sun damage is often the cause of a lot of dark spotting and wrinkles. Like we stated earlier, spa treatments for hands are available at many places. Anti-aging peels and retinol treatments help to tighten, firm, and brighten skin. You can also use anti-aging facial products like antioxidants, collagen creams, etc. on your hands. Having a routine for your hands, just like your face, will show optimal results.
Don't settle for anything less than healthy, soft, beautiful hands!
A note from the owner, Katherine: "My skin is very dry and slightly sensitive. As I have started to get older my hands have begun to react more to hand soaps, sanitizers, and rubbing alcohol. My hands were becoming dry, cracked, and red. I made a conscious effort to cleanse only with soaps I make myself. Yes, I carry a bar soap in a little bag around in my purse. This change along with my usual daily moisturizing with whipped shea butter has restored my hands completely.
This information should not be relied upon to determine or make a medical diagnosis, or determine treatment for a medical condition. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.