Treating dry cracked hands

Over winter, hands can become dry and dehydrated, which can lead to cracking.

• Use warm, not hot water to wash your hands.
• Using gentle moisturising soaps. Ingredients such as glycerin or lanolin can soften skin. Avoid harsh bar soaps which can strip the natural oils from your skin.
• Apply moisturiser after every hand wash while hands are still damp.
• Use hand gel sanitisers that are less harsh and drying than soap and water.
• Pat dry hands instead of rubbing your skin.
• If you suspect you could be having an allergic reaction to your hand sanitiser, try a hypoallergenic one.
• Wear gloves when outside to protect from harsh weather conditions. Also wear gloves when completing household chores such as washing up and moping to avoid skin contact with harsh chemicals.
• At night time use a moisturiser, Vaseline or natural olive oil on your hands and cover them with cotton gloves. This allows your hands to heal and reduce the appearance of chapped skin.