11 Ways To Moisturize Dry Hands

Winter is still raging on, which can mean constantly irritated and dry hands. To help your skin stay as hydrated as possible until spring eventually shows, I’ve scouted out all the best ways to moisturize hands. Even incorporating just one of the tips below consistently will make a huge difference in how your skin feels this season.

I’m generally good about trying to take care of my skin during the winter, but learned this year just how much extra love my hands needed. My iPhone headphones with a mic recently broke (#thestruggleisreal), which means now I can’t tuck my hands in the warm safety of my pockets while walking down the street if I’m on the phone. And worse, I don’t have those cool touchscreen-friendly gloves, so my hands are totally exposed if I want to use my phone at all outside.

Weirdly enough, being lazy about getting new headphones and gloves has meant I’ve had to be extra cognizant about what I’m putting on my hands before heading out the door into freezing weather. Nothing zaps moisture from skin like whipping wind and chilly temps, so I’ve come to find out the hard way how to keep my hands soft.

Below are all the best strategies I’ve encountered so far for ways to keep hands moisturized.

1. Use Gentle Soaps

Glycerin Hand Soap, $20, Amazon

Harsh soaps can strip your skin of its natural oils. Opt for a mild glycerin bar in the winter to keep hands clean and soft.

2. Gently Exfoliate

Pumpkin Oatmeal Glow Gift Set, $37, Amazon

Similar to the rest of your body, hands need to be exfoliated to swipe away dead skin cells and produce healthy oils. Above is my favorite soft and gentle exfoliator.

3. Apply Olive Oil

Extra Virgin Olive Oil (2 Pack), $40, Amazon

Crunchy Betty swears by rubbing a little bit of olive oil over hands daily to keep things smooth and hydrated.

4. Take Omega 3 Capsules

Omega 3 Capsules, $28, Amazon

Another Crunchy Betty tip: take omega 3 capsules. "Absolutely without a doubt the thing that makes my skin glow and look terrific is taking an omega-3 supplement."

5. Wash Hands With Lukewarm Water

Even though it can feel so good, hot water leaches good oils from your skin. Aim to use warm to lukewarm water when washing your hands instead.

6. Try Body Butter

"Forever Young" Body Butter, $34, Amazon

Thicker than your standard moisturizer, body butter creates a barrier between you and the elements to keep your hands soft.

7. Invest In A Good Hand Cream

Lemon & Coconut Hand Cream, $26, Amazon

Spending a little extra money is well worth it for a product that will really sink into cracks and heal dried out skin. Get a cream, like this non-greasy, super nourishing formula from The Jojoba Company, that will keep you hydrated all day long. It's also small enough to take with you everywhere!

8. Try Petroleum Jelly

Petroleum Jelly, $18, Amazon

If your knuckles are seriously raw and cracked, consider swiping Vaseline over them so that no more moisture can sneak away from your hands.

9. Opt For Coconut Oil

Kirkland Organic Coconut Oil, $18, Amazon

If petroleum jelly isn't your thing, you can get similar protection from swiping on good old coconut oil.

10. Get A Humidifier

Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier, $33, Amazon

A humidifier will not only help keep your hands soft in dry air, but can make your entire body less itchy and chapped.

11. Wear Quality Gloves

Women's Touchscreen Gloves, $20, Dahlia

A rule I obviously need to start following more consistently: Nothing can protect your hands against the elements like a warm pair of gloves.

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Images: Courtesy of Brands; Getty Images