Chapped hands are really annoying and often painful because, with dry skin , cuts and cracks can appear.
In this article I will tell you about the causes of chapped hands and I will give you some advice on natural remedies to always have soft and nourished hands.
Causes of Dry and Chapped Hands
There are several causes of chapped hands: physical factors, chemical aggressions but also, simply external temperatures .
Our skin has a protective layer, called the hydrolipidic film , which is made up of 95% lipids (sebum) and 5% water (sweat). This layer helps the skin stay hydrated and protects it from viruses, bacteria and dirt.
Small daily gestures, such as washing your hands, can alter the structure of this hydrolipidic film, making the skin more fragile and prone to cracking.
Causes of chapped hands include:
- use of aggressive hand soaps : products that are too degreasing, with an inadequate pH can dry out the skin and make it lose elasticity. Also pay attention to the water temperature: water that is too hot removes too much sebum from the skin and causes dryness. Always remember to dry your hands well!
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household chores : household and laundry detergents are often too aggressive for our skin. Spending a lot of time with your hands in water also makes the skin more fragile and sensitive. Remember to always use gloves when cleaning, preferably with cotton lining.
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cold and temperature changes : the cold lowers the skin's defenses and alters its lipid balance. Remember to always use gloves when temperatures drop.
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chlorine, salt, UV rays : even in summer, the skin is put to the test by the sea, swimming pool and sun rays. Always remember to rinse your skin with fresh water after swimming in the sea or pool and to use sunscreen, which will also help prevent spots and premature skin aging.
How to recognize chapped hands
Dry and chapped hands can be recognized because the skin is rough to the touch and not very elastic .
You may notice the appearance of small wrinkles , but also flaking and the color is generally duller.
In more severe cases, dryness can lead to redness , irritation , itching and small cuts called cracks .
Natural Remedies
As we have seen, to have soft and hydrated hands, we must take care of the hydro-lipidic film .
Let's start by drinking the right amount of water every day and remembering to include seasonal fruits and vegetables in our diet, which help us recharge with water and essential nutrients.
If you have chapped hands, you can try one of these natural SOS remedies .
Hand cream pack
Hand cream is always present in the house and this pack is really simple to make!
Apply a generous amount of hand cream and put on cotton gloves.
Keep this pack on for at least an hour, but better yet if you can keep it on all night. I do it using a repairing hand cream; the butters and oils contained within nourish the skin, counteracting dryness and maintaining elasticity .
Repairing ingredients, such as niacinamide, provitamin B5 and urea, deeply hydrate, regenerate the skin and help combat redness and irritation .
Oil pack
Don't have any hand cream right now? Surely you have some vegetable oil at home!
Almond, coconut, jojoba or even simple olive oil are perfect for restoring elasticity to the skin.
The procedure is the same as the hand cream pack, you just need to remember to apply the oil to slightly damp hands before putting on your cotton gloves/socks!
Compress with ointment
If you are looking for a super nourishing product, you can use an ointment, perhaps enriched with soothing active ingredients such as calendula.
My favorite is the 30% soothing and regenerating first skin ointment , perfect for dry and reddened skin.
Just a small amount of product is enough, apply it on slightly damp skin to help it absorb. You can massage until the ointment is completely absorbed or you can proceed wearing your cotton gloves and leave it on for at least an hour.
Hand routine
After discovering the treatments to remedy dry hands, it's time to talk about the beauty routine to prevent them.
- Use a gentle soap , especially if you wash your hands very often, use warm water and remember to always dry your hands very well.
- If the skin is intact and not irritated, you can gently exfoliate it, to avoid hardening, remove dead cells and improve the skin's microcirculation.
Use a gentle scrub , with round grains, to avoid irritating the skin.
- After cleansing, always apply a thin layer of hand cream to protect your skin from dryness. Choose a cream that is quickly absorbed so that it doesn't leave your skin greasy.
- If you need to use hand sanitizer , make sure you choose one that is skin-friendly, with hydrating and protective ingredients that won't dry out your skin.
If you want to avoid dryness and flaking on your legs too, discover our guide to organic leg scrubs !
Want to continue discovering useful tips and cosmetics for your body routine? Keep reading our body care guides !
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