6 Hand Care Tips: How to Keep Your Hands Soft & Smooth This Fall & Winter

A decrease in temperature results in an increase in dry skin, specifically for your hands. Harsh fall and winter elements can wreak havoc on your skin, leaving hands feeling severely dry, itchy, or cracked. Don’t neglect your hands; give them the care they deserve. Check out these 6 expert tips to keep your hands soft, smooth, and healthy throughout the change of seasons. 

1. Wear Gloves

Once the temperature begins to drop, you should break out the gloves. Wearing wool gloves will keep your hands warm and protect them from harsh winds and freezing temperatures. 

To prevent hands from drying out, you should even wear rubber gloves indoors while doing household chores, such as washing the dishes or cleaning. Rubber gloves and wool gloves will certainly help keep your hands in good condition, but they’re nothing like our spa-like gloves that will work wonders for dry, cracked, overworked hands. If your hands are severely dry and in pain, you are in need of our restorative hand treatments; they’re just like a facial, but for your hands. 

With dual-layer technology and a blend of collagen, argan oil, and shea butter, our Collagen Gloves deeply nourish and repair dry, cracked skin to leave it feeling silky-smooth and hydrated. Slip them on whenever you need a mini pampering session or healing hand treatment. Are your hands showing signs of damage from the elements? Our Youth Therapy Elbow-High Gloves can help. Made with vegan collagen, shea butter, and niacinamide, these gloves brighten, revive, and moisturize your hands, arms, and elbows for visibly softer and more youthful skin. For a relaxing and comforting experience, try warming our gloves in hot water and your hands will feel nice and toasty. Wear them at home, in the salon, or anywhere in between!

2. Use a Humidifier 

During the colder months, you may notice the air outside and inside feels extra dry. Very dry air can cause a variety of issues, such as chapped or itchy skin. Humidifiers add moisture to the air to prevent dryness and irritation for various parts of the body. We recommend using a humidifier in your bedroom to protect your hands and lock in moisture overnight. 

3. Exfoliate Often

The key to soft, healthy skin is exfoliation! Moisturizing can only go so far when there is a build-up of dry, dead skin. Once you remove it, your lotions will be able to absorb better in your skin and hydrate deep down. Our Mani in a Box kits include a pre-packaged sugar scrub, mud masque, and massage butter for the ultimate hand care whenever you need it most. Another way to exfoliate your hands is with our multitasking Sugar Scrub + Bubble Wash, a scrub-to-bubble formula that is made with vegan probiotics, 100% pure sugar, and botanical oils. It starts off as a sugar scrub to slough away dead skin cells, and once you add more water and rub it in, it transforms into a foamy lather to cleanse your skin. Your hands will feel smooth, fresh, renewed, and nourished all at once! 

4. Moisturize All Day 

By this time of year, you should be switching out lightweight moisturizers and swapping them with thicker lotions as the cold weather approaches. Our non-greasy, ultra-hydrating Velvet Luxe Vegan Hand & Body Crème, which is made with organic virgin olive oil, avocado oil, and natural extracts, is a treat for the skin and the senses. It helps to calm and soothe irritated skin and restore moisture to keep your hands feeling happy and healthy. Massage it into your hands and cuticles throughout the day (2-4 times is ideal). We recommend keeping our regular and travel-sized lotions easily accessible or with you at all times–in your purse, gym bag, car, desk, bathroom, nightstand, and anywhere else you may need it. Apply before bed for overnight repair and hydration. 

5. Don’t Over-Wash Your Hands

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, excessive hand washing has become the norm, but it can take a major toll on your skin. 

Frequent hand washing with harsh soaps can strip natural oils from your skin, making it more prone to cracking. Be sure to use lukewarm water instead of hot water to prevent additional skin dryness. Don’t forget to apply hand cream immediately after washing your hands to keep them soft and nourished. 

Instead of washing with soap and water, you can also use a moisturizing hand sanitizer with skin-loving ingredients as an alternative. 

6. Avoid Hot-Air Dryers

Even though they dry your hands in seconds and are considered to be a more eco-friendly option, hot-air hand dryers suck away the moisture and natural oils from your skin, leaving your hands extra dry and tight. We recommend simply patting your hands with a towel to dry them off. 

We hope these tips will help you master your hand care routine and keep your skin healthy all year long!