Today washing hands for at least 30 seconds has become a real constant in our daily lives.
The use of warm water and soap causes our skin to dehydrate, depriving it of its hydrolipidic layer so we have chapped hands, dry and even cracked hands.
Our skin is designed to retain moisture and regenerate. Frequent exposure to external factors such as UV rays, low temperatures, wind and chemicals can gradually damage its external layer, making it unable to retain moisture.
What are the different causes that make your hands dry?
- Winter chapped hands
Cold, for example, can cause dry and chapped hands going to compromise the outermost layer of the epidermis so dry, scaly skin becomes a common condition.
- Hands and air
Air, especially dry air that blows during the coldest months of the year, has the ability to absorb the precious moisture from our hands.
If you spend a lot of time outdoors, be sure to protect them with a quality moisturizing product before and after going out and also remember to wear gloves.
- Hands and water
By constantly washing your hands, there is a loss of moisture, as water reduces the hydrolipidic layer of the skin.
Keeping your hands sanitized is essential, but be sure to always use a soap specifically formulated with soothing moisturizing components.
Especially remember to hydrate after each wash, to keep your hands soft and young-looking.
- A long warm bath
Taking very long, very hot showers or baths is a wonderful treat, but it can dry out your skin a lot. The use of "extra" hot water reduces the hydrolipidic layer of the skin and can favor the onset of eczema and dermatitis.
- Chemical substances
If you deal with chemicals on a daily basis or use household cleaners regularly, it is easy to see how your hands are damaged.
This is because chemicals damaging the outermost layer make them vulnerable.
- Soap
Many of the soaps and hand cleaners on the market compromise the integrity of our skin. In fact, some products can give dryness and cracking.
- Dehydration and natural remedies for chapped hands
There are many remedies to deal with this annoying problem! The easiest natural remedy for chapped hands is also the most common: drink at least eight glasses of water a day to ensure proper hydration for your body ... inside & out!
- Medicines ingredients
Check the label of any medication you are using, both orally and topically. Look for ingredients like retinol, glycolic acid and benzoyl peroxide. These are all chemicals that can severely dry out the skin, especially on the hands.
- Genetic
Dehydration of the hands can be an inherited trait. This is because a certain genes strand is responsible for controlling the production of proteins used to hydrate the skin barrier. If a modification of this hereditary gene occurs, it can cause several conditions that will irritate the skin, such as eczema and dermatitis.
What are the unequivocal symptoms of chapped hands?
Having dry skin is often a temporary condition but it also has the potential to become permanent.
Chronic signs and symptoms of dry skin depend on your age, your health, where you live, how long you spend outdoors and the cause of the problem.
However, dry skin typically causes one or more of the following symptoms, regardless of the factors mentioned above.
- A feeling of "pulling skin", especially after showering, bathing or swimming
- Chronic itching
- Cuts that can bleed creating "cracked hands"
- Redness
Not just hand cream to take care of dryness
If you are also experiencing a period in which your hands seem particularly dry and dehydrated, this is what you can do to help them heal.
Moisturize
The use of a good moisturizer after each wash could be obvious, but instead it is important to help restore the natural moisture of the skin.
There are also several oils, such as coconut oil, which you can use for good results.
Exfoliate
It is very common especially for women to exfoliate their face, while very often the hands exfoliation is neglected. Let's try to dispel some myths like the one that sees the skin of our face as the most sensitive and fragile. The truth is that the backs of our hands are the most subtle, sensitive and exposed to external agents of our body.
An excellent remedy can be the use of exfoliants that are easily homemade prepared to create a natural hand scrub.
Put about 1-2 tablespoons of sugar, add in some olive oil and rub both backs of the hands to eliminate dry and dull skin, but don't forget to apply a moisturizing lotion immediately after!
Apply Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a real panacea for our body since it produces a miraculous effect when it comes to hydrating. Apply aloe to increase and improve the moisture and texture of your hands.
Dry hands can become an extremely frustrating condition, being what we use to get in touch with the world every day, this is why it is essential to take care of them!
