If you say autumn, do dry hands; cracks, rough skin, and torn cuticles sound familiar? With the right tools and our care tips, you can prevent sandpaper-dry skin this autumn and winter. Keep on reading! 

What Causes Dry Hands?

As soon as the temperature outside drops, our need for heat increases. There is nothing better than sitting inside by the fireplace or taking a nice hot bath. The disadvantage is that heat removes moisture from your skin. Normally, moisture is regulated by a protective layer of sebum and fat between the horn cells of your hand, but if the protective layer is damaged, you can lose a lot of moisture. Did you know that your hands naturally contain fewer sebaceous glands? This makes it more difficult to retain moisture than other parts of your body and why the skin on your hands feels so dry and rough in the autumn and winter. But there are several other causes that can make your hands very dry:

• You wash your hands too often.
• You work with your hands all day – in the soil, with building materials, cleaning agents or other (chemical) substances – and you do not use gloves.
• It’s extremely cold or hot outside and you have the heating or air conditioning on at home.
• Stress can also cause dry hands as your skin cells don’t develop as well and quickly or because of a medical condition, such as diabetes, eczema or psoriasis.
• Alcohol and smoking can increase skin ageing and dry out your hands.

What do you do about extremely dry hands?

The symptoms of dry hands differ, but the feeling of tight skin and cracks and tears are common. Symptoms of extremely dry hands can look like the following:

• Itchiness
• Scales
• Red spots
• Cracks
• Rough skin
• Torn cuticles
• Fissures

If your hands are extremely dry, your skin can loosen and start to peel. Not only is it unpleasant, but more importantly with a disturbed skin barrier, you run a greater risk of infections and harmful bacteria. That’s why it’s important to take good care of very dry hands to prevent chapping, cracks, torn cuticles, and itchiness.

What to do about dry hands?

The dry skin on your hands mainly benefits from hydration, which is why good hand care is key. The Cure for Chapped Skin is an intensive recovery treatment for your hands that promotes the healing process of wounds, torn skin and tackles dry and chapped spots. Other ways to combat dry hands:

• Drink water regularly to maintain your fluid balance.
• Do not turn the heating on high and turn the air conditioning down too.  
• Hydrate your hands regularly with a moisturising cream to maintain your moisture level. Hand Cream Daily Protection is a cream with moisture binders, which provides firmness and shine.
• Use lukewarm water and pH-neutral soap. This does not dissolve your natural sebum layer, so your skin remains well protected.
• If you use cleaning products, use gloves as much as possible.
• Dry your hands with a towel or paper tissues instead of an air dryer. Dry air dries out your hands.
• Use a humidifier in dry rooms, such as your bedroom, living room, or office.
• Maintain your cuticles with a nourishing cream to improve circulation in your fingers and hands. Cuticle Cream helps to prevent wounds and painful loose skin. It has an anti-inflammatory effect and keeps the cuticles soft and flexible.

Other hand creams for dry hands

• Organic Oil: also helps against stretch marks, scars, ageing spots, and fine wrinkles. The oil has a healing effect thanks to ingredients like Moringa and Almond oil.

• Hand Cream Sensitive: with cucumber and chamomile extracts which soothe and soften your skin. This cream is PH neutral, perfume-free, and free of parabens and colouring agents.

• 24 Hour Protective Hand Cream: a cream with SPF 15 that prevents skin ageing and prevents dehydration. The hand cream leaves an ultra-fine layer on the hands, which strengthens the skin.

• Organic Hand Cream: Swiss apple, almond oil, and shea butter, moisturise and take care of the skin. Organic Hand Cream absorbs quickly and gives a silky soft feeling. The cream protects and cares for the skin. One of our favourites! 

• Overnight Hand Mask: an intensive night treatment for people who aren’t able to take care of their hands during the day. It has a cell renewing effect and stimulates blood circulation. The added aloe vera and bisabolol have a calming effect and prevent the skin from chapping. A great bonus: The Overnight Hand Mask is also suitable for various types of eczema.

More tips and advice on hand care

Are you going on holiday soon? Read here how you can make sure you arrive with well-groomed hands! Check out all our blogs or head straight to our hand care products for silky soft hands. Don’t forget to take a look at our Youtube Channel, Instagram and Facebook for more tips and advice to give your hands the best care.