Dry skin is a common problem. Whether it’s the middle of a dry winter or you’re in peak summer heat, dry skin can affect anyone at any time of year. When there’s a lack of moisture, the skin on your hands can become dehydrated, which can lead to cracking, cuts and some discomfort. Even less painful symptoms like itchiness and rough skin are equally frustrating. So, what can you do to avoid dry hands? And if you can’t prevent dry hands, how do you help them?
In this article, we’ll dive into some of the main causes of dry hands and introduce you to our Dial® liquid and foaming hand soaps . All of our antibacterial liquid and foaming hand soaps contain moisturizers and cleanse deep while being gentle on skin.
It’s important to understand what causes dry hands to help prevent them. First, we’ll take a look at some of the possible reasons your hands may be dry, cracked and itchy according to Mayo Clinic.
To begin, the environment is a major factor that plays a part in skin dryness. Those living in areas that are extremely cold or low-humidity are prone to dry skin on the hands. This includes indoor factors such as electric and space heaters as well.
There are also a number of behaviors that can contribute to dry hands. Taking showers or baths that are too long or too hot might lead to dehydrated skin. Scrubbing excessively while washing your hands is also a potential culprit.
Medical conditions or treatments for those conditions could also be the cause of your dry hands. Skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis can lead to dry, itchy or painful skin. On the other hand, some medications have side effects that can dry out the skin in several locations across the body including the hands.
The products you use on your skin can truly make the difference between dry skin and smooth, hydrated skin. Hand soap and body wash products containing moisturizing ingredients are must-have in your handwashing and body care routines to combat dry skin.
Now that you understand the potential causes of your dry hands, you can choose the right methods for taking care of their symptoms. Here are four different ways to help your dry hands no matter the cause.
It's critical to follow proper hand washing procedures to eliminate any dirt your hands may have accumulated during your daily tasks. The CDC recommends wetting your hands with clean water and lathering the entire surface area of your hands, including in between your fingers, the backs of your hands and under your fingernails. Then, rinse and dry them with a clean paper towel or by air drying to prevent contamination. You can also use hand sanitizer if proper hand washing is not accessible, but be sure to moisturize afterward, as hand sanitizers can dry out the hands due to their composition of alcohol.
Washing your hands properly can not only help keep your hands clean, but it can help hydrate your skin well. A hand soap like Dial® Spring Water liquid hand soap has a gentle formula that kills 99.9% of bacteria encountered in household settings while still being gentle on your skin. This liquid hand soap along with all other Dial® hand soaps have a pH balanced and vegan formula that leave your skin feeling soft.
In addition to using gloves for hydration, they are also beneficial when it comes to helping protect your skin from some of the harsh chemicals that you may expose your hands to during everyday activities. Whether you’re cleaning your countertops with a surface cleaner or washing the dishes with a harsh dish detergent or hot water, your hands can become dry and irritated if you come in direct contact with these chemicals. Gloves can help to prevent exposure to materials that will exacerbate hand dryness.
While sometimes dry hands are inevitable, there are plenty of ways to both help prevent and treat dry hands if they start to affect your everyday life. If you’re interested in learning more about healthy hand washing or looking for tips to use your favorite Dial® products to their fullest potential, check out our latest tips and news. For moisturizing body products, discover Dial® body washes and bar soaps. Dial® healthy hydration body washes deeply hydrate the top layers of the skin and help skin feel refreshed and soft in just one shower.