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.
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