Given that they are frequently subjected to extreme weather conditions, cleaning chemicals, and normal wear and tear, our hands are among the most resilient parts of our bodies. As a result, many people frequently suffer from dry, rough hands. You may get soft, smooth hands without spending a fortune on cosmetics. You can restore suppleness and nourish your skin with easy, natural home remedies.
Here's how to use everyday household items to create moisturized, smooth hands.
Why Do Hands Get Rough and Dry?
It's critical to comprehend the causes of dry and rough hands before diving into remedies. Typical reasons include:
- Frequent Washing: Hand washing often, especially with harsh soaps, depletes the skin's natural oils, causing dryness.
- Weather Exposure: Excessive sun exposure in the summer or cold, dry air in the winter can cause skin dehydration.
- Household Cleaners: The chemicals in dishwashing detergents and cleaning solutions can be very irritating to the skin, leaving hands feeling rough and inflamed.
- Lack of Moisturization: Over time, your hands may grow rough and lose their natural moisture if you don't moisturize them frequently.
Now that we understand the causes of dry hands, let's look at some practical at-home solutions to hydrate and soften them.
1. Olive Oil and Sugar Scrub
Exfoliating rough hands is one of the easiest and most efficient ways to soften them. By removing dead skin cells, exfoliation improves your skin's ability to absorb moisture.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
How to Use:
- To make a thick paste, combine the sugar and olive oil.
- For two to three minutes, gently rub the mixture into your palms in circular motions.
- After rinsing your hands with warm water, wipe them dry.
- After that, apply a moisturizer or hand cream.
While the sugar is a natural exfoliator to remove dead skin cells and leave your hands feeling clean and soft, the olive oil hydrates the skin.
2. Honey and Glycerin Mask
Being a natural humectant, honey aids in the skin's ability to retain moisture. In contrast, glycerin is a well-known skin softener, which makes this combination an effective remedy for dry hands.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 1 teaspoon of glycerin
How to Use:
- Create a smooth paste by combining the glycerin and honey.
- Using your hands, generously apply the mixture and massage it into your skin.
- After letting it sit for 15 to 20 minutes, rinse with warm water.
- For optimal effects, repeat this two to three times each week.
This is a great way to deeply hydrate your hands and repair rough, damaged skin.
3. Coconut Oil Overnight Treatment
Coconut oil's high fatty acid content makes it a very efficient moisturizer. It thoroughly enters the skin to help restore damaged skin barriers and provide long-lasting moisture.
What You’ll Need:
- 2 tablespoons of coconut oil
- A pair of cotton gloves or socks
How to Use:
- Apply a generous amount of coconut oil on your hands before sleeping.
- To keep your hands wet, put on cotton gloves or socks.
- You'll wake up with moisturized, velvety hands if you leave it on overnight.
For those with excessively dry and cracked hands, this overnight treatment is perfect. Coconut oil promotes healing and softens the skin.
4. Oatmeal Hand Soak
Because of its well-known relaxing and anti-inflammatory qualities, oatmeal is ideal for relieving dry, irritated hands. Additionally, it moisturizes and gently exfoliates the skin.
What You’ll Need:
- 2 tablespoons of ground oatmeal
- Warm water
How to Use:
- Put the ground oatmeal into a dish with warm water.
- Spend ten to fifteen minutes soaking your hands in the mixture.
- After washing with fresh water, pat dry.
- After that, apply a hand cream or moisturizer.
In addition to softening your hands, this therapy relieves itching or discomfort brought on by dry skin.
5. Aloe Vera and Vitamin E Moisturizer
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that aids in repairing skin damage and enhancing skin texture, while aloe vera is well known for its restorative and moisturizing qualities.
What You’ll Need:
1 tablespoon of fresh aloe vera gel
1 vitamin E capsule
How to Use:
- Squeeze the contents of a vitamin E pill into the gel that has been extracted from an aloe vera leaf.
- Apply the mixture to your hands after thoroughly mixing.
- Before rinsing, massage it into your skin and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Keep your hands moisturized and silky by using this cure every day.
Aloe vera is particularly helpful for sensitive skin since it helps seal in moisture and relieve irritation.
6. Shea Butter Hand Balm
Softening dry, rough hands is made possible by shea butter, a naturally occurring lipid that is extremely nutritious and hydrates the skin.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 tablespoon of shea butter
- 1 teaspoon of coconut oil or olive oil
How to Use:
- Melt the coconut or olive oil and shea butter until they are well blended.
- Allow it to cool until it becomes somewhat firm.
- Apply the balm to your hands, paying special attention to dry spots like your knuckles.
- To keep your hands clean and supple, use this balm every day.
Shea butter is great for hydrating and repairing the skin while creating a layer of protection against harsh environmental influences.
Additional Tips for Maintaining Soft Hands
Along with these treatments, you may keep your hands supple and healthy by forming the following routines:
- Moisturize Regularly: Regularly moisturize your hands by using a lotion or cream before bed and after each wash. Glycerin, shea butter, and natural oils are examples of moisturizing substances to look for in products.
- Wear Gloves: To protect your hands from strong chemicals and detergents that can cause skin irritation, put on protective gloves when performing household tasks or cleaning dishes.
- Stay Hydrated: To keep your skin moisturized from the inside out, drink a lot of water.
- Use Gentle Soaps: Choose hand soaps that are hydrating and gentle enough to not deplete your skin's natural oils.
- Avoid Hot Water: Using hot water to wash your hands might cause your skin to become even more dry. Use a mild cleaner and lukewarm water instead.