4 Reasons Hands Become Dry

There's no need to beat around the bush here-- hands get dry sometimes. This usually happens in the colder months of the year. The real question is, "Why do hands get dry?" Below are some of the most common reasons why your hands may become dry, as well as solutions to relieve your dry skin.

1. Not Moisturizing Enough

While it doesn't sound very medical, sometimes your hands will get dry simply because you do not moisturize them often enough. While the skin can produce its own natural oils, which helps to keep skin on parts of the body from drying out, sometimes your skin will not produce enough oils to keep your skin from becoming dry. When this happens, the best way to relieve the problem is to use oil or cream-based moisturizers. This helps to naturally replenish lost moisture in your skin. If your hands are dry often, consider using a moisturizer with essential oils included. Using lavender hand cream can help to both keep skin from getting dry and to relieve the itchiness that can sometimes come along with dry skin.

2. Washing Hands Too Often

You might think that putting water on your hands would help them to become less dry, but that's not always the case. As already mentioned, the skin creates natural oils that can lubricate the skin. If you wash your hands too often, you can rinse away these natural oils faster than they can replenish themselves, which can lead to your skin becoming cracked and dry.

Does this mean you should stop washing your hands or wash your hands less often? Not at all. However, if you do notice that your hands are becoming dry because you are washing them too often, make sure to counteract it by making sure to use moisturizer. So, wash your hands with soap and water as you normally would, dry them off, and rub in moisturizer. Do this as often as you can to get the best results.

3. Cleaning with Harsh Chemicals

If you clean with harsh chemicals, or even just clean using extremely hot water, it can cause damage to the skin on your hands and cause them to dry out. One of the best ways to prevent this from happening is to simply wear rubber gloves when you are cleaning anything that might put your hands in contact with chemicals or extremely hot water.

If you don't like wearing rubber gloves for whatever reason, another way you can keep your hands from drying out is to use all-natural cleaners (cleaners that do not contain harsh chemicals. Many of these cleaners are made out of plants, vinegar, and natural soaps. If these soaps are too acidic, they may still cause some damage to your skin and may dry them out, but not as much as chemical-based cleaners will do.

4. Exposing Skin to the Cold

People who live in a cold climate are also at risk of getting dry skin when the temperature drops. Cold wind can cause the skin to lose its natural oils. One of the best ways to prevent this is to simply wear mittens or gloves when you know you are going to be out in the cold for an extended period of time.

Even if your hands are not exposed to cold wind, the cold itself can still cause problems if the temperature shift is dry enough. One common ailment that can affect the hands is chilblains. This happens when the hands are exposed to the cold and then moved somewhere warm quickly. The blood vessels expand and contract weirdly and can cause blisters and red and sore skin. So, don't put your hands in front of a heater right after coming in from the cold. Let them warm up naturally.

These are four of the most common reasons why hands become dry. To combat this, use moisturizers regularly and keep your hands warm. Good luck!