Hand and Nail Care for Outdoor Enthusiasts: Protecting Your Skin and Nails in Nature

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That has always been one of my favorite things, going out for a hike on some mountain, rowing a kayak on some river, or even just going for a nature walk on some forest trail. 

There is something about being surrounded by a natural environment, it gets me alive. 

And let me tell you, no matter how much I enjoy hiking, camping and similar endeavors, my hands and nails are not a fan of the great outside at all. 

Wind, sun, water, and dirt are not friends of the skin and if you are like me – you enjoy using your hands, for creating a campfire or fishing, for instance, these receive some harsh treatment.

That’s why any gestures aimed at the hands and nails’ care in such cases are simply mandatory. 

Stay tuned as in this article I’ll take you through all the tips and tricks that I’ve discovered about how to maintain soft hands, moist skin, and strong nails – all while exploring the world. 

Let’s dive in!

Why Hand and Nail Care Matters for Outdoor Lovers

There is no doubt that no matter how serious an outdoor enthusiast you are, whether you come out only on the weekends or seven days a week, your hands are the ones that seem to get the most of whatever you are doing. 

Trekking poles, cold climates, moisture and even just the passing of water, they can quickly become rough, dry, and even painful to touch.

Indeed, for hiking enthusiasts or someone who enjoys climbing or even camping, it’s imperative to pay attention to your hands and nails. 

Of course, your hands can look less than pretty if you don’t take care of them—but letting your hands get rough and scaly is inadvisable because then you get cuts and scratches, which are inconvenient to heal when there are no nearby pharmacies and when moving around is difficult. 

Taking care of your hands and nails simply enables you to continue with your outdoor activities without worrying about the signals that your hands and nails will be sending out next! 

The Importance of Hydration

The first and probably the most apparent reason why your hands require additional care is moisture. 

It takes very little time out in the sun, wind, and even dirt to deprive your skin of its natural moisture. 

It is clearly seen that lack of water can spoil your hands making them look rough and scaly. 

I assure you, believe me, that the last thing you will want is to be mid-way up the mountains side with cracked knuckles or hangnails!

Because of this I make it a point to lock moisture in my skin by applying lotion before leaving the house and then applying more of it at some point during the day. 

It’s very similar to how you need to hydrate yourself, both before, during and after exercising—which definitely applies to your skin as well. 

As for the tips I use, one of which is, applying a good layer of cream the night before a heavy outdoor trip. 

In the morning, your skin regenerates, so it would be wise to seal the moisture in.

Prepping Your Nails for Adventure

But let me discuss one thing with you – nails. 

Regardless of what outdoor activity you are participating in, your nails will end up getting messy. 

That’s just a fact. 

But that’s not all it’s about; it is closer to the virtue of dirt. 

Nails are also brittle, and they can easily break and split especially if they are long nails or nails that had some issues to begin with.

Keep Nails Trimmed and Filed

My first piece of advice: keep your nails trimmed. 

It doesn’t mean chopping but very long nails are known to catch on something (branches, rocks etc) only to snap. 

I also always ensure I smooth out any rough/pointed surfaces to avoid any untoward incidents later on. 

Besides that it prevents snags, it enhances the nail strength, thereby reducing chances of formation of cracks on the nail.

Strengthen Your Nails Before Your Trip

Another great piece of advice for everyone who is planning to go on an outdoor trip is to build up your nails before you go hiking. 

This can be done by putting a coat of nail strengthener or taking your meals rightly in the weeks leading to the tour. 

Consume biotin, zinc, and vitamin E source foods to give your nails the boost it needs to grow healthy and strong. 

For myself, I, for instance, notice that, usually, after about two weeks of including these nutrients, my nails become hard and less brittle.

Don’t Forget Your Cuticles!

They should be trimmed, but most people ignore this fact, although cuticles are vital for proper nails’ health

It is even worse when you roam outside, and you can barely contest with the dry and harsh weathering conditions characteristic of cuticles.

One thing I have never skipped is keeping my cuticles moisturized—more so if I am planning to go hiking. 

Any cuticle oil will work for this, and if you don’t have any, then some regular hand cream will suffice. 

Besides enriching your nails with moisture, applying it to your cuticles will also help to increase circulation, thus encouraging nail growth. 

Plus, it feels really good!

Protection is Key: Gloves Are Your Best Friend

I was once the kind of person who never wore gloves, not even during complex workouts that require the use of gloves. 

In my case, I thought, “I’ll just manage it.” 

However, after a few cuts, blisters, and splinters, I got my lesson under my belt.

Choose the Right Gloves

The best way to protect your hands when out in nature is to decide what kind of gloves will come in handy in a certain outing. 

No matter if you’re gardening, climbing, or just camping, there’s going to be a glove made for you. 

For hiking I need comfortable, light gloves that allow me to have a fine grasp and free movements, but the skin on my hands should be protected from the sun and wind at the same time. 

If you’re into more rugged activities such as chopping woods or climbing then go for something with additional palm and fingers pad for that extra protection.

Waterproof Gloves for Wet Conditions

In case you will be exposed to such wet activities, as for example, kayaking, rafting, or fishing, a pair of waterproof gloves is a must. 

The last thing you would want is to have your hands looking shriveled and wet after a day on the boat. 

Not only is it uncomfortable but with time it makes the nails soft and prone to even simple breaks. 

An ideal pair of rain gear will ensure that your hands remain dry and cheerful regardless of the weather outside.

Daily Hand and Nail Care While on the Go

Okay, you see, you’ve got your hands and nails ready before going out, and your gloves are with you whenever it’s cold (pun intended), but what if you really go out in the wild? 

Do not worry!

I’ve got you covered. Here are my top tips for keeping your hands in tip-top shape while adventuring.

Clean Hands Are Happy Hands

In any case, let’s start with the basics—all your dice must be clean, washed if they are to come in contact with any consumables. 

I know, easier said than done, especially when you are covered in dirt and grime, you know!? 

But it’s really important for halting bacterias from entering your body in the first place, especially if you’ve even gotten a small cut on your skin. 

As for me, I always have a bottle of hand sanitizer with me in my pocket. 

It is particularly very useful during a wash down when water and soap are not easily accessible. 

Moisturize Throughout the Day

Do you recall what I said about hydration before? 

Well, it’s just as important when you are actually outside. 

The air where you hike in the mountains or in the desert is less humid than you expect it to be and with the constant wind and sun exposure your skin dries out quickly. 

I also have a miniature hand cream which I use after washing my hands or when they start to chap. 

It isn’t very big and doesn’t weigh much so it’s a light luxury that makes quite a difference in the end result.

Repair Damage Before It Gets Worse

As would be expected, despite a lot of planning, things do not always go as expected. 

For instance perhaps you cut your finger on the thorn plant or you have been working with ropes all day and your hands feel coarse. 

When that happens, the key is to address it on the spot. 

In other words, to manage it is to fix it immediately. 

If I find my skin roughened or cracked, for instance, I will quit exercising and use some balm or ointment on the skin. 

Just as is the case with other basic injuries, the quicker the extent of damage is addressed, the worse it cannot become.

Keep Nails Clean and Trimmed on the Go

As is common knowledge, there is hardly any outdoor activity that doesn’t leave you with dirt lodged beneath your fingernails. 

Not very stylish (or comfortable!) image! 

A small foldable nail file and clippers are always part of my pack, in one way for trimming my nails or in the other, to file sharp edges. 

It is so small it barely occupies any space and it is handy, for instance if you have a hangnail in the middle of a hike.

Post-Adventure Hand and Nail Recovery

After spending some time in nature, your hands are probably not feeling and looking their best? 

Here’s how I look after my hands and nails after a tiring adventure trip.

Soak and Scrub

A post-trip beauty essential that I love is a nice hand soak. 

A basic bath with warm water with little addition of salts or oil will help you ease and also smoothen your skin. 

Then I massage the skin in circular movement in order to erase dead skin and dirt.

Deep Moisturizing Treatment

When you have been out there all day (or week), your hands should be given a lot of attention. 

I like to apply a thick layer of moisturizer or hand mask on for a while. 

Even more effective, I will smear the chosen cream on my hands and put cotton gloves on. 

Literally your hands will feel like new ones after you are done!

Conclusion: Love Your Hands, and They’ll Love You Back

Said simply, while outdoor activities are refreshing for the spirit, they check with your hands and nails if you do not learn to protect them and take the necessary precautions. 

But if you know how to take proper care of them or be a bit proactive, you can keep them looking and feeling great. 

It may be putting on cream before going to bed, having short nails, or wearing gloves every time you are outside working, among others. 

Therefore, the next time you go on an outing, it is about time that you pamper your hands

When you think about it, they really do a lot, don’t they?

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Author
Lindsey is a professional nail and make up artist, specializing in special occasion nails and make up. She is based in Utah, US and owns a small beauty salon with her business partner. She loves writing about the art and craft of nail artistry and is excited about discovering new nail trends.

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