Easy home remedies for dry hands

Those of you who have been following us for a while will know that I personally prefer not to overcomplicate formulas by adding lots of different ingredients, so as to avoid potential preparation errors or problems with contamination. However, I do sometimes opt to use an easy home remedy (which should never replace commercial preparations, of course!) that contains just a single household ingredient – Something that can be quite useful now that we’re spending so much time at home! Let’s have a look at some easy home remedies for dry hands using ingredients commonly found in your kitchen cupboards…

For chapped hands:

Milk: Every night before going to bed, soak your hands in a bowl of milk (cold or warm) for five minutes.

Cucumber: Liquefied cucumber juice is the ultimate remedy for even the most chapped hands!

After using a Hand Sanitiser:

Most of these formulas are made up of an acidic polymer (carbomer) that is then neutralized by a strong alkaline substance (triethanolamine or sodium hydroxide), forming a gel. As a result of this, the product has a higher pH value than that of our skin. (Problem!) However, diluting a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and rinsing your hands with it afterwards, counteracts the negative effects of the higher pH and at the same time protects your hands from dryness and cracking.

Soap + Friends:

Oatmeal: A great way to rejuvenate your hands is by using oatmeal or flakes after your soap.  I recommend having a bowl of oats near the sink and gently massage your wet hands with them. Oatmeal does not replace traditional soap nor does it contain antibacterial properties, but it does, however, make skin soft and supple, and help to prevent dryness.

Other tips

Other easy home remedies for dry hands include the following:

After applying your usual facial serum or oil, don’t waste what’s left in your hands or on your fingers. Just simply massage the remaining amount into your hands. Using cotton gloves to sleep in after applying a rich hand cream is another great way of rescuing damaged skin. Look for creams that contain key moisturising and repairing ingredients like jojoba oil, shea butter, sweet almond oil and allantoin.