Dry Hands: Why They are Dry and How to Get Relief

Chronically dry hands can be caused by a variety of factors. Here are a few of the most common causes of dry hands.

Your hands may be tough, but your skin is still a delicate organ that’s easily damaged. In summertime, the hot, harsh rays of the sun can suck the moisture right out of your skin, leaving those hands feeling tight, dry and itchy. And in the wintertime, cold, windy air or hot, dry indoor heat can also strip your skin of its natural hydrators.

COVID-19 dry hands are a real thing. Most of us are probably washing and sanitizing our hands way more than normal to ward off sickness. Unfortunately, repeated handwashing can dry out your skin. Hot water, soaps and the alcohol in hand sanitizers all damage your skin’s natural moisture barrier. The result? Dry, cracked, itchy hands.

Washing dishes, cleaning the house and even doing laundry can expose your hands to chemicals and other irritants that dry out your skin and damage its protective barrier. And if you handle chemicals or harsh cleaning agents in your place of work — such as in a factory or hair salon — you may also be prone to dry hands.

If you suffer from a skin condition like eczema or psoriasis, you almost certainly battle dry, itchy hands. These conditions often affect the hands, causing very dry patches of red, itchy skin. And because flare-ups damage your skin’s moisture barrier, it can be difficult to get relief from dry hands when you’re living with a skin condition.

Now that you know what environmental factors and other conditions can lead to dry hands, how do you get relief? Here are a few ways to soothe dry, itchy hands.

Dry hands need intense moisture. Curél Extreme Dry Hand Relief lotion is formulated with nourishing ingredients like Vitamin E, Monoi Oil and Eucalyptus Extract. These ingredients soothe dryness and create a protective barrier for the skin.

Gentle, lightweight and long-lasting, Curél Extreme Dry Hand Relief lotion absorbs into the skin quickly and delivers deep hydration through multiple hand washes. Massage it into your extra dry hands as often as needed to reveal softer, smoother skin.

Washing your hands thoroughly and often can help prevent illness, but hot water and harsh soap can dry out your skin. Use a mild cleanser with moisturizing ingredients like shea butter and aloe vera, and skip the hand sanitizer whenever possible.

Wash your hands in lukewarm water to protect your skin’s natural moisture barrier, and apply lotion immediately after to help lock in hydration and ward off dryness.

Give your skin an extra layer of protection when washing dishes or handling chemicals with a pair of latex or rubber gloves. Similarly, a thick pair of gloves can protect your skin from the dry, icy air in the wintertime.

Your skin is a delicate organ that’s easily damaged by the harsh rays of the sun. Don’t forget to protect the skin on your hands with a good sunscreen of at least SPF 15 or higher.

Sometimes moisturizing and home care doesn’t completely relieve dry, itchy hands. If you suffer from very dry, cracked or bleeding skin due to a skin condition like eczema or psoriasis, it might be time to see your doctor.