3 Tips for Fast Relief From Dry, Cracked Hands

Winter can wreak havoc on our poor, dry cracked hands, but luckily, we know a few genius tips that will go a long way toward outsmarting the most common offenders of parched, winter-worn paws.

1. Moisturize While Washing

Washing dishes with scorching water exacerbates dryness, but not if you apply hand cream, then slip on rubber gloves ($8.99, Amazon) before sudsing up. The heat helps the lotion’s moisturizing ingredients penetrate skin, and the gloves create a protective barrier.

2. Swap Your Soap

Detergent-based soaps and hot water deplete already-dry skin of any natural oils. Instead, “wash” with liquified coconut oil ($10.19, Amazon) — no water needed! It has antimicrobial properties that will remove impurities while depositing nourishing lipids back into the skin.

3. Sanitize With Aloe

The harsh, bacteria-nixing alcohol found in many hand sanitizers can cause skin to crack. The fix? Find one that’s infused with aloe, which counteracts drying effects by hydrating skin while killing germs: We like Touchland’s Power Mist Aloe Vera ($15.95, Amazon).

This story originally appeared in our print magazine.