Cold, dry weather can wreak havoc on the skin during the wintertime. From low humidity to more frequent hand washing, various factors can contribute to cold weather’s harsh effect on the skin. To prevent dry, cracked skin during the colder months, it is important to follow proper hand care tips, such as adequately hydrating your hands.
Why Is Hand Care Important During Cold Weather?
There are a variety of reasons why cold weather may negatively impact the skin. Low humidity during cold weather is one culprit. This is because air during the winter tends to be dry, which can worsen with indoor heating systems that reduce humidity even further. This type of environment can cause moisture to evaporate more quickly, leaving the skin dry and susceptible to cracking.
Another reason cold weather can lead to damaged skin is the loss of natural oils, which serve as a barrier that locks in moisture and keeps irritants out. Being exposed to chilly weather and harsh winds can cause the skin to be stripped of its natural oils, which, once depleted, compromise the skin’s capability to retain moisture, which can lead to deep lines. Hot showers can also cause dry, cracked skin, as hot water breaks down the skin’s natural barrier, leading to dryness and loss of moisture. When practicing good hand care, it is extremely important to hydrate your hands.
One of the biggest contributors to dryness is frequent hand washing. With low temperatures coinciding with flu and cold season, people tend to wash their hands much more frequently to prevent illness. However, when washed frequently with hot water, hands are further stripped of their natural oils.
Other contributors to damaged hands in the winter include insufficient hydration, a lack of sunscreen, and even impaired blood circulation due to constricted blood vessels during cold weather. It is crucial to moisturize hands often during the winter to avoid discomfort when dealing with dry, creased hands.
4 Hand Care Tips for Dry Weather
There are a number of hand care tips for winter to follow in order to hydrate hands during low temperatures. Some of these hand care tips for dry weather include the following.
1. Moisturize
Regularly applying moisturizer before bed can help lock in moisture overnight. Opt for a rich shea butter cream like our Undaria Algae™ Body Butter or a more lightweight option such as our Undaria Collagen™ Body Lotion. Choose products with ingredients such as ceramides and hyaluronic acid, as these ingredients moisturize hands year-round for a more comfortable experience.
2. Wear Gloves
The best way to prevent dry, cracked hands during the colder months is to protect your hands from the elements. One of the best hand care tips for winter is to use gloves when spending time outdoors, especially during frigid weather. Look for gloves that are made out of cotton, fleece, or wool, as these fabrics help retain heat. This hand care tip alone can prevent moisture loss and keep hands comfortable.
3. Avoid Harsh Soaps
Harsh, fragrance-heavy soaps can strip the skin of natural oils, contributing to dryness. Sulfate-free hand soaps and those with moisturizing ingredients, such as aloe, can help hydrate hands during cold temperatures. Our OSEA for Parachute Purifying Hand Soap cleanses and moisturizes hands with ingredients like shea butter.
Remember to apply a layer of lotion to your hands after washing them to help replenish lost oils. Our OSEA for Parachute Hydrating Hand Cream contains coconut oil and hyaluronic acid for a boost of hydration.
4. Exfoliate
Exfoliation doesn’t only apply to the face. Exfoliating your body, including your hands, helps remove dead skin cell buildup. Excessive buildup can prevent the skin from absorbing necessary nutrients, including hydrating and softening elements found in hand lotions. Our Undaria Cleansing Body Polish gently buffs away dead skin cells to reveal silky smooth skin underneath. Apply this exfoliator two to three times a week — or to your desired liking — for the best results.
Those hoping to replenish their hands can take preventative measures, such as practicing good hand care, to ensure plunging temperatures need not be a cause for concern come wintertime. Maintaining a consistent routine during the winter and following hand care tips to the letter can help your hands stay healthy all year long.