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What causes dry, cracked hands?
Getty / Pakorn Kumruen / EyeEm; Designed by Morgan Johnson
The outer protective layer of your skin, thestratum corneum, helps seal hydration into the skin.
People who areprone to eczemamay even need prescription topical treatments to manage symptoms like these.
So, yes, its great that youre being diligent about washing your hands.
But if you dont also take some precautions, your hands will not be happy with you.
Use gentle hand soaps.
So, yes, that does mean that actuallywashing your hands correctlyand forat least 20 secondsis absolutely necessary.
Wash with lukewarm water.
Washing your hands with water thats excessively hot or cold is, simply, uncomfortable.
Thats why she recommends using a comfortable lukewarm water temperature.
Put hand cream on slightly damp hands.
After washing, dry your hands, but not fully.
(Personally, this writer prefers theseK-beauty hand creamsfor their portability, absorption, and lovely scents.)
The bigger priority, Tierno says, is keeping up your handwashing.
Thats why its super important to always wash your hands before touching your face or eating.
Dont let the fear of germs put you off from lotioning up.
Youre certainly not going to want to wash your hands if theyre cracked and dry.
So moisturizing your hands regularly after washing is partly a way to ensure that you continue to wash them.
Look for thicker hand creams with these key ingredients.
Use something even more occlusive at night.
During the day you probably dont want something too thick or greasy on your fingers.
Products like these areespecially good at sealing moisture in the skin.
Wear gloves when cleaning.
Always wear gloves when youre using products like this, Dr. Marchbein says.
Not only can they exacerbate dry skin, but they can also cause serious irritation and contact dermatitis.
Pay attention to your environment.
If youre eczema-prone, talk to your derm.
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