How to soften and protect your hands in cold weather: Glove method
How to moisturize your hands in winter (photo: Freepik)
In cold weather, hands often become dry, and the skin cracks. The culprit is the dry air in heated rooms. A doctor shared a method that can help soften the skin on your hands, according to Express.
Why skin gets irritated in winter
Doctor of Medical Sciences Anil Sharma explained the exact reason why skin becomes dry in winter.
In winter, noticeable signs of dry skin include flaking, stiffness, tightness, itching, and even rough or cracked areas. Our hands are particularly prone to dryness due to frequent washing.
"Cold temperatures lower humidity, drawing moisture from the skin, while indoor heating systems like heaters, wood stoves, and fireplaces exacerbate the dryness by reducing moisture levels in the air. Hot showers can strip the skin of its natural oils, further contributing to dryness, especially when combined with harsh soaps that can irritate and dehydrate the skin," the expert noted.
In addition to choosing the right moisturizer, Dr. Sharma recommends a glove method. If your cuticles are still peeling, dry, or hardening, it's worth doing an evening treatment with oils rich in vitamins and moisturizing properties.
Oils such as coconut, argan, and almond are high in vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant supporting protective skin cell formation.
You can also try a multipurpose oil like jojoba, which contains not only vitamin E but also vitamin A, promoting smoothness and youthful skin.
How to moisturize your hands
After selecting a cuticle oil, follow these three simple steps:
- Apply a few drops of oil to each cuticle. Depending on the product and what works best for you, you can use a brush for this.
- Gently massage the oil into the cuticle for a few minutes. This helps stimulate blood circulation and ensures deep absorption of the oil into the skin, providing maximum benefit.
- After massaging the oil, put on a pair of cotton gloves. These gloves help retain your body’s natural warmth, allowing the oil to penetrate even deeper and soften the cuticle overnight.
It’s worth repeating this procedure regularly to keep your skin healthy. For an extra step, consider using a hand cream enriched with vitamin E or a shea butter-based formula.
It's important to note that some types of soap can dry out your skin. Choose soap with moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid.
After washing your hands, make sure to pat them dry instead of rubbing to avoid irritation.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
