Skincare expert shares tips to keep your hands hydrated and protected this winter

How to care for your hands

Ukrainian cosmetologist Olha Pozdnyakova offers four tips for hand skin protection:

• Moisturizing is key: Apply hand cream after every wash, choosing products with natural oils and glycerin.
• Gloves are your best friend: Always wear gloves when going outdoors in cold weather or even when washing dishes.
• Nourishment: Treat your hands with a weekly homemade mask or consider paraffin therapy with a specialist.
• Gentle cleansing: Use mild cleansers without harsh ingredients to avoid drying out your skin.

Additionally, the expert recommends including hand massage into your routine at least once a week. This ritual not only helps maintain perfect skin but also improves blood circulation and provides relaxation after a long day.

Avoid hot water, as it strips the skin of its natural oils. Instead, opt for lukewarm water.

Drinking enough water is crucial for overall skin health, including your hands. Aim for at least eight glasses of water daily to keep your skin hydrated from within.

For extra hydration, consider adding nighttime care to your routine. Before bed, apply a layer of rich moisturizing cream to your hands and wear cotton gloves to lock in moisture overnight. This intensive care helps repair and restore dry, cracked skin while you sleep.

What causes dry hands

Indoor heating, including heaters, wood stoves, and fireplaces, dries out both the air and your skin. Other factors contributing to dryness include:

• Age: Skin becomes drier as we age.
• Skin conditions: Eczema, psoriasis, or other skin diseases often worsen during winter.
• Sun damage: UV exposure can impair the skin barrier, leading to dryness.
• Work: Jobs requiring constant wet hands can result in persistently dry skin.
• Harsh products: Cleansers with drying ingredients can disrupt the skin's pH and cause dryness.
• Smoking: Reduces blood flow to the skin and increases transepidermal water loss.

Earlier, we discussed ways to prevent skin aging without expensive procedures.

Sources: cosmetologist Olha Pozdnyakova's Instagram page and Blue Daily website.

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.