Do you have rough, cracked, dry hands? Think you can’t do anything about it? Think again!
Even if you’re working construction every day, or have your hands constantly in water, you can take steps to help protect and soothe your hands, so that you can feel more comfortable. We'll show you what causes these issues and the best natural remedies for dry hands.
What Causes Dry Hands to Crack and Bleed?
We all know that our hands suffer when we expose them to bad weather, lots of water, dirt, chemicals, and the sun, but why is this, exactly?
The most common cause of dry, cracked skin is a compromised outer layer. Skin is made to hold onto moisture and to naturally rejuvenate itself, but exposure to the sun, cold air, wind, dirt, chemicals, and more, can gradually damage this layer, so that skin can no longer hold onto moisture.
Damaged skin is also more vulnerable to environmental pollutants and UV radiation, which can accelerate dryness and aging.
The following factors can all contribute to a damaged, compromised outer layer in skin:
Dry Air Environment
Air such as that which occurs in dry climates and during the cold, winter months, saps moisture out of the skin.
Washing Your Hands Too Often
People who constantly have to wash their hands or immerse their hands in water experience a loss of moisture, as the water steals the skin’s natural moisturizing oils away.
Prolong Periods of Chemicals Exposure
People who work with chemicals on a daily basis, or who regularly use chemical-based household cleaners, often have severely chapped hands. These chemicals rob the skin of its own moisture, and damage the outer layer, leaving skin vulnerable to all kinds of problems.
I have same problem, im ashamed of shake hand others because of my rough palm,pls any solution?
my hands are realy so hard and dry mainly during day time but when i wake up i find that they are ok. can also cooking oil or the local jerries be used for the same purpose?
Where and what kind of gloves do you use for washing dishes and are they hard to find? I only see vinyl ones. I wash my hands a lot because I have pets.
When you talk about moisturizing hands and putting on gloves, would latex or latex free rubber gloves be advisable? When you say “put on some cotton gloves or wool socks and go to bed. You can also try placing Ziploc bags around your hands with rubber bands around your wrists to lock in the moisture” do you mean in addition to the cotton (over it) it instead of? Thank you for all the great info!
Hi Sandra! Rubber gloves would probably not be the best option because they do not allow the skin to breathe. By using cotton gloves/wool socks the skin can still breathe 🙂 Try putting the Ziploc bags over the gloves or socks to seal moisture in.
Good luck!
Thanks for the great tips for better hand care. The skin on my hands is always rough and dry, so I want to improve that before winter really hits and makes them bleed. I like the idea of using a pumice stone after a shower, to exfoliate my hands.
Ground coffee scrub is great too!
My hands and feet got dry all the months. I couldn’t find the reason also Dr. couldn’t find it. I need permanent solution. I use lotion but it keep my hand skin moisturize upto few minutes only.
I am in wheelchair and my hand crack and bleed . They also have calluses. I have tried a lot of hand cremes. I also wash my hand a lot and need to because of bacteria I also use a 99% hand wash that don’t need water and my hand scream with pain. It is very painful. I all don’t wear gloves when doing just a little bit of house hold duties.I forget as I just need to do the chores quickly. I have to invest on a pair of gloves.
Hi so im a hairstylist and for many years maybe like 7 years ever since i started as an assistance my hands have been super dry they get cracked maybe bleed in the winter. Lotiok, Vaseline, ointments dont work. But ill def try the other recommendations and see how it works for my hands.
So for # 5 when I’m done rubing my hands on sugar and oil do I wash it or use a towel to clean it off
Hi Alan,
Whichever works better for you!
Hi I’m Ali. I’ve read the given information and i want to ask if these tricks also work for the fingers whose fingerprints are worn off? I’m not using any type of chemical and no apparent reason seems to be there.. Please help me, I will be greatful….
Thanks for a good information about dry hands. I am a son of farmer also
I am a student But I do some work in the farm with my father then my hands are very dry and rusty .so I will try coconut oil and I feel better
Thanks!!!
Thanks !!!
I’m a musician and live in Alberta Canada. This year my hands are getting drier then usual. But I don’t want to have hands that are too soft and lose hard earned callouses for playing guitar. Any advice?
Hi I’m Ella! I’m 13 and go to an art school as a visual major. Considering I paint a lot, I’ve noticed my hands are becoming really hard and stiff. Anything you suggest?
hi! im John from kenya im frequentry getting into contact with cement. And im not getting solution to prevent my hands from cracking
I’ve so rough hands….does these tips really work.??
My husband is a carpenter and during the cold weather months his fingers and thumbs are cracked pretty bad, plus they are sore. Everything that he has tried has some kind of alcohol in the ingredients. Alcohol is drying, is there anything out there that can help with the soreness. Thank You
My hand are dry and dirty since few months it’s not getting clean no matter how many times I wash can you please suggest me any cream or soap that will be great full
I’m 24, and for the last few years have suffered with my hands being so dry and chapped. I have been to the doctors and they have told me not to use harsh soaps and to use Diprobase gel. I followed every instruction.
I don’t take hot showers and use gloves when doing the dishes and cleaning.
I use diprobase, i have tried wearing gloves over night over a thick layer of coconut oil/moisturiser.
They seem to be getting worse this year and nothing is helping, they hurt and fllaky. My nails/cuticles are also suffering quite badly.
I work in an office 9-5, and help out at a restaurant in evenings – my hands are starting to bother me, i even try not to hold my boyfriends hand in case he feels how rough they are.
If you have any other ideas that could help me i’d be forever grateful.
Please email me with any information.
Kind Regards,
Jackie
I’ve been suffering with dry cracked palms over 20 years, I tried all kind of creams, ointments and nothing really helped. A year ago I found online solution(somebody shared). I started to take 1000mg fish oil and 1000mg flaxseed oil. Week after week it was getting better and better and after about 4 month palms got completely normal and now I even don’t need any cream.
hi my name is jade and i have heaps of lines on my hands and i am only 14 and really want to make them go away and have smoother hands
Hi Jade,
Check out this body scrub article! I would suggest using a scrub and then working with something like the Coconut Honey Mask on your hands once or twice a week:
https://www.annmariegianni.com/5-diy-body-scrub-recipes/
hi my name is Lili and I’m just 13, I clean a lot and help my mom in other things and my hands r so dry , and do u recommend something that we can find at home cause I have economic problems and I just ask my mom to buy me oils .
Hi Lili,
Try a sugar scrub and then moisturizing with oil! Coconut oil or olive oil could be super helpful. If you’re doing a lot of cleaning, try wearing gloves so that it doesn’t effect your hands so much.
I’d just like to add that while gloves may help, they can also be a problem. My hands sweat while wearing gloves all day at work, and they’ve dried out quite a bit (probably from sitting in their own sweat). Although, I imagine that they would be just about as bad (plus some scratches) if I didn’t wear them.
Can u plz add how to repair roughness to soft
Hi, I turned 12 On 16-3-16 I’ve began to get very wrinkled hands….Very I hate it I’ve been Using dove silky Skin lotion cream, Baby Johnsons lotion, Still wrinkley, Less soap like people said I’ve tried steaming My hands an dlotioning, HELP
I work in food service & I wash dishes everyday. My hands are very dry. I don’t know how I can resolve this problem. I’m really desperate.
I highly recommend an investment in a box of disposable gloves, the kind you see in the food industry or home health care. Load up with lotion, and hold glove on with a rubber band. (You can easily function with the gloves on if you need to pick up something or do whatever in the middle of the night, rather than using a Ziploc bag as mentioned in one of the posts.) Plastic gloves retain all moisture and will heal quicker than anything suggested here. I’ve been trying to find a cure my whole life and this is THE best solution.
I have the worst dry hands because I live in a cold climate – and it got worse when I turned 40. I dont like GREASY lotions – so I recommend the Valencia Orange All Purpose Lotion from Made from Earth. . .I use this as my hand lotion and it works great – NO MORE CRACKS AND WRINKLES. They looked gross. Plus it smells like FRESH oranges and I can carry it in my purse. PLEASE protect your hands, because you dont want wrinkled hands when you get older !!!
I keep a bottle of Made from Earth’ Holistic Honey Lotion at my desk. Not only does it heal my dry hands, but the smell, which is great, actually wakes me up during that afternoon lull. Instead of grabbing a candy bar or coffee I put on some lotion and the smell wakes me up, while taking care of my skin. Love it!
Hi I’m zoha from KSA, I need your help please! Can you suggest for me something Home remedies To get rid of Rough and Patchy hands! :'( Please.. I need Soft and smooth hands and palms!
Lanolin is pretty good for cracked hands. I use this hand balm,which contains lanolin and many more things and it has been working fine for me. https://www.sunnyqnyc.com
Hi I am karthik from Singapore
I’m working from fish farm so chemical use hand skin dry ready Moisturiser also use ready never clear very pain and itch how to solve???
Hi Karthik,
Thanks for your email! If you’re working with chemicals, we definitely suggest wearing gloves if you can. We would also suggest seeing your doctor since you’re having such pain and irritation.
If you’re working with a moisturizer already, try the Coconut Honey Mask as a treatment a couple of times a week on your hands.
Hi, I’m a 19 year old male. I’ve had a very hard time with my skin overall sense 2010. Peeling all around my skin, bad calluses etc.. The Dr.s took a skin biopsy on me, and figured out that I have “Chronic inflammatory dermatitis”. My hands started drying out really bad around December of 2014. So last winter.. My Dr. Told me to try “aquaphor” hand ointment, and I’ve been using it every day all day for over a year now. I literally can’t go without it, because if I do my hands will dry out immediately. I’ve been told that it takes out natural oils from my hands, which concerns me a lot, because I feel like at this point it’s token out like every single bit of natural oil left in my hands…. Idk what I should use or do. Even my finger nails have been dieing on me. I’d appreciate your guy’s opinion on what I should try.
Hey Greysen!
We’re going to write to the email that you provided to chat about what could be going on 🙂
Hi I’m Dhulqarnain from Ghana. I’m a mechanic my hands are becoming dry,crack and hard Especially my palm. please what should I do to make it sotf and good looking .Thanks
What are you washing with? Cleansers meant to remove motor oil are harsh and expensive. Try scrubbing with a mixture of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and your choice of oil. Regular vegetable cooking oil is fine. Follow with a gentle hand soap. This method also works great for painters. For cracked skin you could follow that with lanolin ointment. Wear gloves at work when you can.
It very helpful to me
hy iam kiza my hands r very dry .my skin colour truns darker in winters
Hi Kizza,
I’m sorry to hear that! We would suggest working with our Radiant Skin Silk daily for rough hands! A great treatment for the hands every couple of days is the Coconut Honey Mask. It might seem strange to use a face mask on your hands, but it feels wonderful 🙂
I hope that helps!
aubrey
Hi! Im jemma from kuwait. My hands very dry also bcoz i always wash dishes even if i put cream & olive oil but still very rough & always crack. I will try all of these i hope these can help me. Thank you very much.
I handled cement while in construction work for just one day,now my hand is hard and stiff.what do I do?
Hi Joseph,
Try exfoliating using salt or sugar mixed with olive or coconut oil. Rinse off, then apply a natural lotion like our Radiant Skin Silk. 🙂
Hi it’s stephanie
At school there is this boy that says that I have wrinkly hands and now I don’t like showing my hands to anyone
Please help????
Hi Stephanie, Don’t let this boy make you feel bad about your hands! No one should make you feel bad about yourself. Sometimes our hands just get dry from being outside. It’s an easy fix! Before you go to bed, put lots of coconut oil on your hands and cover them with gloves. You’ll wake up to super soft hands!
My face is not grow up after makeup …..what I do
Hi my names chelsea in 18 my hands are horrible they are peeling and its making my confidence really bad please help me.
The skin around my fingers peel like it is dead. I use cloves to do dishes and use aquaphor ointment on hands all day. Ive tried band aids but as soon as they come off I’m back to peeling my skin. I now have ridges in my nails. Is there any hope?
I have been using grapeseed oil on my cuticles at night with great results! I work in healthcare (frequent washing and hand cleaning) and live in a very dry climate. Grapeseed oil has a smaller molecule so it can absorb better than olive oil. I just keep it in a dropper beside my bed. Highly recommed!
my hands were getting drier by the day since I turned 40 and no lotion or cream seemed to work. what I found to work great is a balm from sunnyqnyc.com it has pretty much restored and saved my hands.its has many ingredients including mink oil, emu oil and lots more.
hi nisha.. I think we have same problems. I’m too from india.. I also go through depression
Hi I use coconut oil but it is out if date since 2009 do you think I shall still use it, my hands are really scaly in been my fingers and they sting really bad, I avoid using hot water, fairy washing up liquid and other liquids, I rarely using hand wash only after I’ve cut onions or chillies. What else can I use??? Please help me!!
I have really bad dry hands I find that corn huskers oil works best you can find it at Walmart or a local store.
Thanx am going to start with coconut oil hope mi hands will get bettet.
Tnx..I hope these things myt work…..
Hi
im Valentino ive got rough hands and people even laugh at them,please help me how can i make them softer?
Hi Valentino! Do you use anything on your hands currently? Organic oils and lotions can help restore moisture to your hands. Our Radiant Skin Silk Body Lotion works perfectly to keep hands soft . Simple apply to you hands in the morning and at night, or whenever you feel like they are dry.
You could also try an overnight treatment. We have a Coconut Honey Mask that is designed for the face but also works for dry hands and feet. You can apply to your hands, put gloves on and leave them on overnight. The honey helps the coconut oil bind to the skin, and over night, your skin will have lots of time to soak it up. Wash off the mask in the morning when you wake up.
I hope this helps! You might also try aloe if your hands are suffering from sun damage/dryness from the wind. Aloe is very healing!
Hello am patrick from ghana am suffering from hard and a rough palm I feel very shy to go to crowd and in fact is really limiting me please help me get smooth and a soft palm to fulfill my call on earth.
Hi Patrick,
We would suggest working with our Coconut Honey Mask as a treatment for your hands every couple of days along with a great moisturizer like the Radiant Skin Silk several times a day. I would also suggest looking into the hand soap that you’re using. Chemical hand soap can certainly cause roughness and irritation in the hands.
Please I bath with rexona soap and wash with kleesoft to wash the hand and body lotion I use is razac.
A&D ointment is a skin protectant. I often find that a dab of that plus lotion (can be ANY if you’re desperate, but coconut oil, argan oil, olive oil lotions etc work best) mixed together helps it spread evenly and makes my hands feel instantly better, even for the first time washing them after using it. I have problems with eczema and my finger skin becoming rough and painfully splitting open often, aside from prescribed medicine, this is the only other way I’ve found relief .
Hello I am Nisha from India . Actually I find my whole body so rough and sometimes wrinkled. it gets worse in winter. I am just 20 I suffer from depression . I need a suggestion as early as possible . its a humble request
Try using glycerin without adding anything to it as a body moisturizer. you will see the fast results
Two of the top side effects of hypothyroidism are depression and fatigue.
Dry skin is another. A thorough thyroid panel may be in order. Ths, t3, t4, reverse t3…..
So be depeessed
You should have a doctor check out your skin. You may have a more difficult skin condition. My son suffers from ichthyosis, which is an extremely dry skin problem. His skin forms scales and if not kept supple, it itches or cracks and bleeds. Taking care of yourself may help with the depression.
Hi There.
I fish in very windy,cold and wet conditions in Canada and I find that using lipbalm on cracks in my hands before moisturizing helps to quickly rejuvenate my hands.
Thank you
KEVIN
Hi…I’m Sufia from Malaysia..I’m just 12 and my hands is so rough..I just read all the tips..Is there anything else that I can REALLY use??
Hi Sufia! Use a natural lotion or oil everyday to help make your hands softer. Our http://shop.annmariegianni.com/Radiant-Skin-Silk-Body-Lotion-200ml_p_153.html is a pretty amazing hand moisturizer. You could also try coconut oil from your grocery store or market! I hope that helps.
thanks for the good info about dry hands ,i work in aged care in food services ,and find it hard to keep my hands soft I have tried so many products ,so i will tyr coconut oil and see how that goes