It is that uncomfortable sensation that you have when you feel the extreme dryness in the palms of your hands that even twisting the cap of a bottle or fastening the zipper of a jacket is a nightmare.
Yeah, I’ve been there.
Hands are the truest servants because especially during winter or after washing hands multiple times they really go through a lot.
That’s where a good hand cream comes to the rescue.
However, with today’s hand creams flooding the market, what sets a good hand cream apart and more so one that is recommended for use by those with dry skin?
Well, let me explain it to you by its individual components and here are the things you should pay attention to the next time you are buying one.
Why Are My Hands So Dry?
Now let’s first discuss why our hands get so dry in the first place.
Our hands spend a lot more time exposed to the elements as they are easily one of the most used body parts by people of all ages.
Cold weather, washing hands too often or using an ungentle soap product leaves skin on hands dry very fast.
Our hands are a rather vulnerable area of skin, especially when it comes to its inherent inability to retain moisture.
They do not possess as many oil glands as our face does.
Thus, if you noticed that your hands are always dry, you should know that millions of people all over the world face this problem.
But don’t worry, that is why having the correct hand cream can completely change that.
What to Look for in a Hand Cream for Dry Skin
However in today’s world where we are in search of the right hand cream, all is not equal.
Some of them are likely to make your hands feel slippery while others are not likely to moisturize your hands thoroughly.
Therefore, when it comes to hand creams what should we look at the labels on the packaging?
So here is a list of the key ingredients that make a hand cream good for our skin.
Hydrating Ingredients: Humectants
First thing’s first.
What you require now is a hand cream that will capture your attention and at the same time retain moisture within your skin.
But that is where humectants come into the picture.
Humectants have the same effects and it attracts water from the surrounding environment and also the inner layers of the skin.
Look for humectants like:
- Glycerin: Glycerin is one of the best humectants, and that is why it is used in hand creams as it attracts water to the skin’s surface, thus moisturizing your hands for the entire day.
- Hyaluronic Acid: You have probably heard a lot about it but you did not know that this buzz-worthy ingredient is not just for the face. Hyaluronic acid is very effective in its ability to retain water, which is actually about 1000 times the acid’s weight.
- Aloe Vera: Aside from mending the skin, aloe helps in having the skin attract moisture, which is why this component is added in creams for the treatment of dry or scratchy palms.
This is the reason I always ensure to check for at least one of these ingredients in a hand cream.
It is a sign that the formula is going to keep my hands moisturized for longer periods of time.
Moisturizing Ingredients: Emollients
Next up is emollients.
Those are the ingredients which when incorporated they make the skin soft and smooth.
I often say that when your hands look cracked, then the outer layer of the skin is damaged as it has tiny cuts and is rough.
Emollients operate in such a manner that they cover up these gaps and you feel that your skin is not as flaky as it was.
Some fantastic emollients to look for include:
- Shea Butter: That’s one of my favorite products right there. It contains fatty acids and vitamins that are very beneficial to the skin mainly because it is overly moisturizing for the harsh skin patches.
- Jojoba Oil: This light oil has been designed to emulate our skin’s natural oils, meaning that unlike some others on the market, it absorbs quickly in order to avoid that disgusting slick feel. It is especially good for giving the skin a lasting moisturizing especially during the cold seasons.
- Cocoa Butter: Cocoa butter is an ideal choice if you crave a heavy and buttery cream as this ingredient makes it possible for the cream to penetrate the skin deeply all the while providing a rich moisturizing effect.
For a softer skin treatment, if your hands are severely dry and cracked, then go for a cream that has more of emollients as this would work on repairing the skin barrier or lap of the skin.
Protective Ingrédients: Occlusives
After your skin is adequately hydrated and moisturized you need to seal all those nutrients and moisture in place.
That is where occlusives come into play.
These are the ingredients which form a kind layer over the skin so that the moisture does not evaporate.
Here’s what you should look for:
- Petrolatum: Now this may sound a little on the ‘industrial’ side, but petrolatum – better known as petroleum jelly is one of the most effective occlusives out there. It forms a good shield on the outermost layer of skin avoiding loss of moisture and potentially destructive elements such as cold weather and wind.
- Beeswax: If you wish to use something more natural beeswax is also a great occlusive out there. It is normally incorporated in hand creams where it helps to hold moisture while at the same time providing a minor shield to the skin from harsh substances.
- Lanolin: Another natural product, lanolin which may be derived from sheep’s wool is one of the best when it comes to making the skin softer while retaining the moisture.
If your hands are frequently exposed to cold weather in winter or if you are frequently washing your hands you’ll need a cream that has good occlusiveness to form the barrier.
Soothing Ingredients: Anti-Inflammatories
When my hands are extremely dry it feels simply like I have sandpaper on my hands.
If your skin is tight, itching or red then your hand cream needs to have ingredients that will help calm the area down.
Some of the best calming ingredients include:
- Allantoin: A mild non-prescription inflammation alleviator that also has the ability to soothe the skin and aid in its healing and repairing process.
- Oat Extract: Oat extract is good for sore and sensitive hands and the polish has relaxing properties which are especially beneficial if the hands have been over washed.
- Chamomile: Apart from moisturizing the skin, this particular herbal addition is also effective in decreasing inflammation and skin rashes.
Depending on the presence of one or more of these ingredients, if your hands tend to get irritated the cream will be soothing.
Fast Absorbing and Non-Greasy
As inconvenient as high-quality hand creams are – people don’t want a product that makes them unable to handle anything for twenty minutes, waiting for the lotion to sink deep into the skin.
But I’ve discovered the hard way that greasy hand creams are not very convenient since they make your hands slippery and it may become difficult to open a door for instance.
An effective hand cream for dry skin should preferably have a non-greasy nature as it dries on the skin leaving it soft.
This is especially so, if you are applying the hand cream in the middle of the day and you need to resume doing something right after the application.
Fragrance-Free vs. Scented Hand Creams
I love a good smelling cream or lotion, however if you are sensitive skinned or if you suffer from severely dry skin, you may want to go for the non-scented ones.
Some smells can cause inflammation on the skin and hence if you have a problem with your hands becoming red or itchy.
With that in mind, if you are not the most sensitive of skin types, a lightly scented hand cream can turn this to be more of a welcomed pleasure instead of a chore.
Conclusion: Finding Your Perfect Hand Cream
It is always easy to pinpoint the best hand cream to soothe the dry skin problem since such a product will be one that offers an excellent balance between all the beneficial ingredients.
You need a product that would nourish, lock in the moisture and provide your skin with the much-needed relief without the price of leaving your palms feeling oily.
Therefore, to get the best out of your hand cream look for ingredients such as glycerin, shea butter, petrolatum, and allantoin among others.
And remember: This is all down to how you apply your hand cream.
Of course, even the most outstanding formula is not going to help you if the product remains in your bag all day.
Don’t forget about it and your hands will always be soft and good looking!
