There is so much to love about winter but not if you have dry hands. It’s such a fun season and Christmas is coming! But you can’t clap your hands if they are dry and chapped so take care of those hands. It might seem hard to do as the air gets dryer and we are washing our hands more frequently. By following some tips preventing dry, chapped hands is a lot easier than dealing with them.
Your skin is an important barrier that protects your body from virus and infection. It deserves to be taken care of! You can have softer, healthier hands by making a few changes that are good for your overall health. Here’s 8 healthy tips to avoid dry hands.
8 Healthy Tips for Preventing Dry, Chapped Hands
1) Choose Nontoxic Soaps
Typical soaps and personal care products can contain harmful chemicals that might be carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, allergens or just plain irritating to the skin. Stay away from perfumes, fragrances, and other chemicals in your soaps. Don’t stop at just your hand soap but check out other products that touch your hands like household cleaners.
2) Wash with Warm Water NOT Hot
Washing your hands is important for hygiene and staying healthy. You do not need to burn the top layer of your skin off to do it. Sudsing up with warm water is all you need to do. Make sure you give your hands a good scrub and let the soap do the work.
3) Stay Hydrated
If you are dehydrated, then your skin will be dehydrated. Avoiding dry hands starts from within. Every cell in your body needs hydration including your skin cells. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water, getting your electrolytes, and not making hydration mistakes.
4) Try Some Aloe
Aloe is very hydrating internally and externally and has over 75 active components that support the body. It is also known for its healing properties and has been noted its relief for dermatitis along with chronic psoriasis, burns, and inflammation. Take a few shots of aloe to help hydrate you on the inside and apply externally to help your skin heal on the outside.
5) Choose Healthy Oils and Creams and Use Regularly
Like your soaps and other personal care products, skip moisturizers with toxic chemicals and find ones that list oils as one of the first ingredients. Oils and creams will be more hydrating than lotions. In fact, you don’t have to look much further than your pantry for the best moisturizing products. Pure, organic coconut oil or avocado oil is all you need. If you make your own with this body butter recipe then you can be sure all the ingredients are healthy ones. Moisturize those hands regularly after washing. And for extra moisture apply before you put on your mittens or go to bed.
6) Don’t Forget CBD Oil
CBD oil has its own category, so you won’t forget it. A quality CBD oil is a must for your medicine cabinet and your healthy skin arsenal. Endocannabinoids have been shown to resolve dermatitis, help skin heal and reduce inflammation. If you already have skin irritation, try applying a full spectrum CBD oil.
7) Eat Healthy, Fatty Foods and Avoid Inflammatory Ones
Good nutrients and healthy fats are critical for healthy skin and lowering inflammation. A varied diet of organic whole foods and healthy fats can help your skin be ready for the harsh winter. You can’t have healthy skin if you’re eating a diet of junk food. Inflammatory foods like sugar, gluten, hydrogenated oils, and highly processed foods don’t set your skin up for success. Food allergies are another inflammatory food to avoid and we talk about in our next tip.
8) Keep Your Gut Healthy
Your body can’t absorb the nutrients and healthy fats if your gut isn’t healthy. This can lead to numerous problems affecting all organ systems including your skin. The first steps for supporting your gut health are taking shots of apple cider vinegar, using probiotics, and getting your food allergies tested. An unhealthy gut can show signs in a variety of ways including irritated skin, eczema and psoriasis. Learn more about how your gut can impact eczema and psoriasis in the video below.
Use These Tips to Avoid Dry Hands
Keep your hands healthy and clapping for joy. It’s time to start decorating and watching Christmas movies, right? Who am I kidding? It’s always time for Christmas movies and decorations. Enjoy the season and take good care by using these healthy tips to prevent dry, chapped hands.
Written by Dr. Patrick Flynn
