I don’t think hand washing has ever been this popular! Video tutorials, songs, even dances all about hand washing. In the current crisis, washing our hands truly is important, so keep doing it (for at least 20 seconds)! However, with all this extra hand washing, my poor hands have been wrecked, and I’m sure I’m not alone. Here are some tips on how to heal dry hands:

How to Heal Dry Hands

Pick the Right Soap

Washing your hands cleans them, but soap and water strip the skin of its natural oils. Many soaps contain harsh ingredients and lots of fragrance that strip oils even more, so pick up a hand soap that’s moisturizing and free of sulfates and synthetic fragrances.

Wash, Moisturize, Repeat

If your hands are feeling extra dry, always apply moisturizer after you wash. Every single time. Yep! You’ll definitely need to stock up on a lot of good hand cream right now. For best results, moisturize your hands while they are still damp to lock in the moisture. Look for ingredients like ceramides, phytolipids, Glycerin, Aloe and Hyaluronic Acid.

Extra Care At Night

For extra moisturizing at night, put a thick cream or ointment on your hands and cover with cotton gloves. You can either sleep with them on or wear them for 20 to 30 minutes while watching TV at night. The gloves help you skin absorb more of the ingredients. Ointments have more oil, which means they’re greasier, but they’re more effective in trapping moisture and healing hands.

Other Tips

If you don’t need get your hands wet, keep them covered. Use rubber gloves when washing dishes and cleaning.

Also consider using a humidifier by your bed at night. A humidifier can make a big impact on protecting the skin from drying out.

What are your favorite products and tips on how to heal dry hands? Let me know in the comments!