DRY HAND RELIEF: The Ultimate Guide to Healthy Hands

Dry, cracked, or peeling hands aren’t just uncomfortable they can also be frustrating and even painful if left untreated. Whether it’s winter weather, constant handwashing, or simply not using the right moisturizer, dry hands are a common issue.

In this ultimate guide, we’ll explore the best dry hand treatment tips, what to look for in a hand moisturizer for dry skin, and some simple home remedies for dry hands that actually work.

What Causes Dry Hands?

Before diving into solutions, it’s important to understand why your hands are dry in the first place:

• Environmental exposure: Cold air, dry wind, and low humidity levels can strip your hands of their natural oils.
  

• Frequent washing and sanitizing: Constant use of soaps and alcohol-based sanitizers dries out your skin, leading to dry hands and peeling skin.
  

• Lack of moisturizing: Not applying a hand moisturizer for dry skin—especially after washing leaves your hands unprotected and more prone to dryness.
  

• Skin conditions: Conditions like eczema or psoriasis can make your hands especially prone to cracks and irritation.
  

• Aging: As we age, our skin produces less collagen and oil, which can result in extremely cracked hands.
  

Identifying the root cause helps in finding the most effective dry hand relief tailored to your needs.

How to Prevent Dry Hands in Winter

Prevention is the first step to avoiding severely dry hands. Here are a few simple changes you can make during colder months:

• Wear gloves: Always use gloves when going outside in the cold or when handling cleaning products.
  

• Switch to hydrating hand soaps: Avoid harsh soaps with sulfates or artificial fragrances.
  

• Use a humidifier indoors: Heating systems can dry out the air—and your skin. A humidifier helps maintain moisture levels.
  

• Drink plenty of water: Staying hydrated keeps your skin soft from the inside out.
  
  

These daily habits can go a long way in reducing your need for intensive dry hand treatment later on.

The Best Dry Hand Treatment Routine

Hydration From Within

Drinking enough water is key to maintaining soft, supple skin. Aim for at least eight glasses a day, and include water-rich foods like cucumbers, watermelon, and oranges in your diet.

Boost Antioxidants

Due to the thin nature of the skin on our hands, along with a lack of natural oil production, providing protection from environmental stressors is essential to maintain healthy skin and providing age defence for our hands. Enter antioxidants. Protecting the skin is kind of their speciality! Enrich your diet with berries, leafy green vegetables and nuts, to increase antioxidants from within every day.

Up your Omegas

With the ability to restore the integrity of a compromised lipid barrier while counteracting dryness and dehydration, Omega 3 Fatty Acids are must eat ingredient to include in your diet for smooth, plump hands. The best source of Omega 3 is a balanced diet rich in raw nuts, fish and plant oils.

Diet Tips for Dry Hand Relief

What you eat matters for skin health. Include these in your meals for natural dry hand treatment:

• Fatty fish (like salmon or sardines) for omega-3s
  

• Nuts and seeds for Vitamin E to support skin repair
  

• Avocados for natural skin-loving oils
  

• Leafy greens for antioxidants

Protecting your Hands Environmentally

Keep a hand moisturizer for dry skin with you at all times—your purse, car, or desk are great spots. Reapply after each wash. Don’t forget SPF either! Hands are often neglected when it comes to sun protection.

Gloves

Wearing gloves while doing household chores, gardening, or engaging in any activity that may expose your hands to harsh chemicals or excessive friction can help prevent dryness and irritation. And if you live in a cold climate, you can also protect your hands from the harsh effects of dry, cool air by wearing breathable gloves that will keep the moisture in and dry air out.

 SPF

Did you know that sun damage is the number one cause of premature ageing? Cue SPF, a daily essential to complete your morning hand care routine to fight sun damage, pigmentation and signs of ageing.

Gentle Hand Washing

Regularly exposing the skin on your hands to hot water and harsh soaps will quickly lead to dry, irritated skin. When washing your hands opt for warm water to avoid drying or burning the skin, and choose a hydrating hand wash will help with dry hand relief and prevent further damage.

Must-Have Ingredients in a Dry Hand Cream

With how hard they work and how often they are exposed to environmental stressors, it’s no wonder our hands are often one of the first areas of our bodies to show signs of ageing. You can repair and protect the skin on your hands from further damage, whilst diminishing signs of ageing by looking for hand wash and hand cream that contain the following bio-actives:

Hyaluronic Acid

A well-known hydration hero for good reason, Hyaluronic Acid has the impressive ability to hold up to 1000 times its weight in water, making it an ideal ingredient for dry, damaged hands. It provides an intense burst of moisture to cells, combating the ageing effects of dehydration while plumping the skin.

Vitamin C

This potent antioxidant fights oxidative stress and protects against sun damage, which makes this ingredient particular beneficial for the exposed skin on our hands. As we are unable to biosynthesise our own Vitamin C it is also essential for healthy skin function including the production of collagen.

Licorice Root Extract

Dry, damaged hands can often become sensitive and inflamed, particularly if regularly exposed to harsh elements or over-washing. If this sounds like your hands, Licorice Root Extract is a must have ingredient when it comes to caring for your hands. This potent anti-inflammatory contains high levels of antioxidants to enhance skin healing and brighten the skin.

CoEnzyme Q10

Speaking of antioxidants, Co-Enzyme Q10 is a powerful one which works to scavenge free radicals, preventing and reducing environmental damage. This multi-tasking ingredient will assist with combating signs of ageing including wrinkles and pigmentation, while contributing to dry hand relief.

The Best Hand Cream for Healthy Hands, Skin and Nails

A natural, nourishing, anti-ageing hand cream is essential for healthy hands and skin. It’s also vital if you want to avoid the signs of premature ageing. 

LAMAV’s Vitamin C Hand Cream contains all of the above bio-active goodness, with the addition of our exclusive Ayurvedic Wellness blend. Ashwagandha, Amla and Holy Basil work to fight external stressors and inflammation whilst firming the skin.

Our Vitamin C Hand Cream smells delicious, is fast absorbing and provides a powerful antioxidant shield, making this a must have for your bathroom, kitchen, bedside table and handbag. Apply morning and night as part of your daily skincare ritual and don’t forget to top up after washing your hands throughout the day to replenish moisture and provide further protection from damage and stress. You can also use our Vitamin C Hand Cream to soften your cuticles and nourish other rough areas of the body, such as elbows, knees and feet.

Step-by-Step Hand Care Routine

A consistent routine is the best way to transform your hands:

1. Exfoliate Twice a Week

Use a sugar scrub or enzyme peel to remove dead skin cells and make your hand cream more effective.

2. Nourish Daily

Massage a rich hand moisturizer for dry skin into your hands, ideally one that includes hyaluronic acid and nourishing oils like jojoba or rosehip.

3. Nighttime Hand Massage

Before bed, apply a thick dry hand treatment such as coconut oil or shea butter. Put on cotton gloves to lock in moisture overnight.

Pro tip: Add a few drops of lavender or chamomile oil for added relaxation.

Home Remedies for Dry Hands

Sometimes the best solution is already in your kitchen. Here are a few effective home remedies for dry hands:

• Coconut oil: Deeply hydrates and has antibacterial benefits
  

• Honey and olive oil mix: Makes a great DIY hand mask
  

• Aloe vera gel: Soothes irritated or peeling hands
  

• Oatmeal soak: Reduces itchiness and flakiness—great for sensitive skin
  
  

Used regularly, these cracked hands remedy ideas can work just as well as commercial creams.

Hand Rituals for Self-Care and Skin Health

If you really want to show your hands the TLC they deserve, why not incorporate a hand care routine as part of your weekly self-care ritual? 

Start with Clean Hands

As with any face or body care routine, it’s important to start with clean hands and nails. Wash hands and nails thoroughly with lukewarm water and a gentle hand wash. Take the time to clean under your nails, around your cuticles and in-between your fingers.

Gentle Exfoliation

If you have a regular skincare routine, it’s likely you have an exfoliant product in your skincare drawer at home. Just as with the skin on our face and larger areas of our bodies, our hands also need a little assistance with exfoliation, particularly as we age. Exfoliation complements your natural shedding process by assisting your skin to remove dead skin cells and dirt that your skin would otherwise buildup without a little help. Exfoliation creates a smoother, brighter complexion, allowing our skincare products to absorb more effectively and their active ingredients to do their job. 

LAMAV’s Exfoliating Mitt isn’t just an essential accessory for tanning prep, it gently buffs away dry patches and promotes circulation to reveal glowing skin on all areas of the body, including hands. Use dry prior to showering or wet in the shower with your favourite nourishing body wash for a softer exfoliation experience.

Inspired by ancient Ayurvedic healing traditions, Garshana dry body brushing is a nourishing ritual that stimulates lymphatic drainage, improves the body’s natural detoxification channels and boosts circulation to revitalise and rejuvenate skin. Incorporate LAMAV’s Garshana Dry Body Brush by gently sweeping the bristles from fingertip to forearm prior to your daily shower and enjoy brighter, smoother skin.

Nourish

Elevate your self-care ritual with LAMAV’s nourishing Hand Cream and Ayurvedic Body Oil post washing and exfoliation. At LAMAV we promote wellbeing practices that de-stress and holistically balance your mind and body, which is why we suggest a nightly hand massage before you hit the pillow. Ayurvedic self-massage can be performed daily at home and its benefits go beyond skin deep. Tired, dry and dull hands will benefit from lymphatic drainage, increased circulation, reduced inflammation and muscle aches, along with boosting hydration and strengthening the skin’s barrier.

Consistency is Key

Dealing with dry hands and peeling skin doesn’t have to be a lifelong battle. With the right mix of hydration, care, and protection, your hands can feel soft and healthy again. From choosing the best ingredients to sticking with your dry hand treatment routine, it’s all about consistency.

Try adding LAMAV’s Vitamin C Hand Cream to your daily regimen your hands will thank you!