Dry Hands

 Woman applying Body Butter to her dry hands

What causes dry hands?

We spend a lot of time looking at our phones and typing away on our keyboards. As a result, we tend to neglect the fact that our hands are constantly in contact with things that damage the skin. Excessive dryness is one of the most common hand skin problems and it can lead to more serious conditions if not treated. Here are some causes and signs to look out for:

Age

The most obvious culprit is age. Older people are more likely to have dry skin than their younger counterparts due to a decline in oil production. While this doesn't necessarily cause wrinkles—that's another story—it can make your palms and fingers feel itchy and tight. You may also notice that your skin begins to look flaky and rough. As we age, our skin naturally becomes thinner and more fragile. Cuticles, the thin, clear membranes at the base of our nails, become dry and brittle. The layers of skin that protect our hands from water and bacteria become thinner as well, which makes it easier to dry out.

 WHOOP ASH Body Butter relieves dry skin

Cold weather

In the winter, cold weather can cause chapped hands. The skin dries out from being exposed to wind, causing it to become numb and more sensitive to the elements. Cold weather can dry out your skin in a number of ways—from the low humidity in cold air to the high winds that can blow through chapped hands. 

Frequent hand washing

This can be a good thing when it comes to staying healthy, but it can also end up drying you out. The soap you use may be too harsh for your hands and strip them of their natural oils. Hot water also dries out your hands by stripping away the protective oils on your skin's surface. This is especially true for people with eczema or other skin conditions who may be susceptible to irritants like dermal irritant contact dermatitis (a reaction caused by exposure to allergens or irritants). Antibacterial soaps or sanitizers may be too harsh or contain ingredients that can actually dry out your skin over time. 

Eczema

A general term for a group of skin conditions, including atopic dermatitis. Eczema is a chronic condition that causes severe itching in response to irritated or damaged skin. Most people associate eczema with dry and red skin, but there are many other symptoms that can accompany it. It's estimated that 10% of children and 2% of adults have suffered from eczema at some point in their lives. While some people may be born with a predisposition to eczema, there are also many things that can trigger the condition, including dryness, stress, smoking, and contact dermatitis. The best way to prevent eczema and control flare-ups is by keeping your hands clean and moisturized. The primary cause of dry hands is dehydration; applying lotion can help counteract this problem by supplying your skin with much-needed moisture. If you find that your hands tend to get very dry even after moisturizing them, try using a moisturizing soap (most soaps are drying) or switch to an unscented liquid soap (many scented products contain irritating chemicals).

What vitamins are good for dry hands?

The skin of your hands is a very thin barrier between you and the outside world. It's constantly exposed to sun, wind, and water, all of which can damage its health. To battle this damage and keep your hands healthy and strong, you need to feed them the right vitamins and minerals. The most important are:

Vitamin E

An essential nutrient for skin health. It can also help reduce the symptoms of dermatitis and eczema. Vitamin E is the most common ingredient in hand creams, not to mention a host of other cosmetics. This powerful antioxidant helps protect skin from free radical damage, which can cause skin to dry out and wrinkles to become more apparent. It's also a source of selenium, which is needed for the production of elastin and collagen. In addition, consuming vitamin E through food sources is an easy way to improve the texture of your skin. Other good sources include almonds (about 24% of your daily value), sunflower seeds (about 18%), hazelnuts (about 15%), spinach (8%), and sweet potatoes (5%).

Fish oil

Omega-3 fatty acids, which are abundant in fish oil, help keep skin soft and healthy by maintaining the skin's barrier function, which prevents water loss. Fish oil is packed with omega-3 fatty acids that can help your skin retain moisture and reduce inflammation. It also helps with healing wounds on your hands, as well as preventing arthritis. 

Lutein and Zeaxanthin

These two nutrients support skin elasticity and moisture levels. Lutein and Zeaxanthin are carotenoids that give dull skin a healthy glow, and are antioxidants present in leafy green vegetables like spinach. They help protect against harmful UV rays that could lead to cancer. They also boost collagen production in the skin, which keeps it supple and youthful looking.

Vitamin D

promotes the production of natural moisturizers in the skin, helping to prevent dryness. It helps increase the rate at which new tissue grows - this means faster healing for those dealing with cracked, sore hands (and it could have an added benefit of making your hands look younger). It is an essential vitamin for strong bones, but it can also help to prevent eczema and other inflammatory skin conditions. As an antioxidant it keeps your immune system strong against harmful invaders from the environment or from inside the body.

Zinc

Studies have shown that zinc may improve dry skin conditions like eczema by restoring damaged skin cell membranes. Zinc has antibacterial properties that help prevent breakouts on your skin.

Apply any combination of these supplements and enjoy softer hands! 

How to heal dry hands over night?

The skin on our hands is a complex organ. It's full of blood and lymphatic vessels, sweat glands, hair follicles, and even touch and pressure receptors. The skin on your hands—and the rest of your body—is constantly working to keep you safe, clean and comfortable. It is more sensitive than other parts of your body, and it's more prone to dehydration. It's also more susceptible to sun damage and chemical irritants. Because of this, you have to be extra careful with your hands—and that includes making sure you're treating them right after every time they've been wet or exposed to harsh chemicals or weather conditions.

When your skin is dry, it's easy to feel a little hopeless. Every time you touch something, every time you go outside, you're reminded of how uncomfortable your hands are. You might find yourself reaching for the same moisturizer over and over again in an attempt to provide some sort of relief. Unfortunately, this may only be making things worse.

Endless moisturizers can clog pores and make it more difficult for your skin to breathe, especially if you have dry skin in the first place. The best way to heal dry hands is by using body butters, which are thick enough to really soak into your skin but not so thick that they clog up pores. You can take this step further by wearing gloves or socks at night after a hot shower or bath.