Self Care for Over Washed Hands
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
All this hand washing, sanitizing, rinsing, scrubbing, drying. UGH! Our hands aren’t meant to go through so much abuse.
It’s time to take care of the delicate skin on your hands and cuticles.
Normally I try to use as many natural products as possible but sometimes a purchased lotion or cream is needed.
First, we’ll start with natural solutions.
Massage olive oil into your hands twice a day for 10 minutes each. I prefer to do this immediately after I have washed and dried my hands because my hands are still warm and the olive oil spreads easier and absorbs into the skin faster.
When drying your hands, always pat them dry. Never rub your hands or cuticles harshly.
If you have any scrapes or cuts on your hands you can treat them with honey or aloe.
Honey and aloe can also be used as moisturizers like the olive oil above. They aren’t as moisturizing, but they do a nice job of repairing the damage below the skin if you have cracked hands. Follow up with the olive oil afterward.
Not quite as natural, but very effective…
If Olive oil, honey, or aloe doesn’t do the trick, it’s time to break out the big guns… Gold Bond Ultimate Foot Cream(yes, for your hands!) or Gold Bond Ultimate Diabetics Dry Skin Relief. Both Gold Bond products work miracles for my hands as well as my feet. That’s why I use foot cream for my hands, it works great for both.
Burt’s Bee’s also has a great trio of products that work almost as well as the Gold Bond. If you still insist on a more natural product, Burt’s Bee’s Hand Repair Kit.
Every night before you go to bed you’re going to apply the moisturizer, that works best from the choices above, and cotton gloves. Cotton gloves can be purchased for men (XL-size) and women (Medium size).
Another product to consider using between heavy washing, gardening, or getting your hands dirty is Gloves In A Bottle. Although not necessarily natural, the barrier this product creates can help protect your hands a bit between washings.