Even a few minutes without gloves in the cold can result in dry and irritated hands – often so severe it's painful. Winter weather is a real challenge for our hands, and regular cream care is definitely not enough to restore their smoothness. When the temperature drops below zero, hands need increased protection and a strong boost of hydration – for example, in the form of a comforting mask and a nourishing oil bath. Here are homemade remedies for dry hands in winter that will regenerate and soothe them in half an hour.
What makes hands dry and cracked in winter? The main reason is low temperatures and frosty wind, which weaken the skin's hydrolipid barrier. On the back of our hands, we have very few sebaceous glands, which naturally moisturize the epidermis. That's why any contact with harsh winter weather causes hands to dry out. But even at home or in the office, the situation is no better – here, we have to contend with heated, dry air that sucks all water reserves from the skin. Your complexion suffers, but so do your hands. If you also wash them frequently, you accelerate the degradation of natural lipids present in the protective layer of the epidermis. Hands, stripped of their protective mantle, become so dry that they start to crack and develop small wounds. What to do to heal them? Decisive action is needed here. Set aside 30 minutes during the day and try one of the methods below.
Homemade remedies for dry hands in winter: a nourishing bath in warm olive oil
Do you have a free evening? Treat your chapped, dry hands to a homemade, warming SPA treatment. All you need for this is olive oil – preferably extra virgin, as it retains the highest concentration of valuable vitamins, antioxidants, and unsaturated fatty acids needed to rebuild a damaged hydrolipid barrier. Gently heat the olive oil and pour it into a bowl. Submerge your hands and nails in it for at least several minutes – the warmth will help beneficial ingredients penetrate the epidermis better. After the treatment, pat your hands dry with a paper towel and massage in the remaining oil. To make the treatment even more regenerating for your hands, you can add the contents of 1-2 capsules of vitamin A and E to the oil. These compounds accelerate the healing of cracks and cuts and have anti-wrinkle properties.
Homemade remedies for dry hands in winter: a regenerating mask
If an olive oil bath is too much work for you, or if you've just returned to the hotel after a day of fun on the slopes and don't have the conditions to do it – we have a more convenient solution. Reach for a ready-to-use, handy hand mask, Handy Lab Extreme Hyaluron. This is a mask in the form of gloves for cracked and dry hands, which you can use wherever you want – even while traveling or at work. The inside of the moisturizing gloves is filled with a cocktail of softening and smoothing ingredients: hyaluronic acid, shea butter, jojoba oil, macadamia oil. It's enriched with a complex of vitamins A, E, and C, which support the reconstruction of damaged epidermis. In less than 30 minutes, they will restore velvety softness to your hands, and also strengthen brittle, fragile nails.
Homemade remedies for dry hands in winter: a renewing sugar scrub
Did you know that sugar is a natural humectant that effectively binds water? A scrub made with it will not only help you smooth rough hands but also deeply moisturize them. To make it, combine a few tablespoons of oil (e.g., argan oil – it will have anti-aging properties) with 1-2 tablespoons of granulated sugar. The homemade cosmetic will regenerate your hands even better if you add natural honey to the mixture – it promotes the healing of irritations. Massage the ready scrub into your skin. It will become silky smooth to the touch and renewed.