6 Easy Steps to Take to Heal Painfully Dry Hands this Winter

Nothing says winter like…well, dry skin. Even the most youthful look can be squelched by the appearance of dehydrated, scaly, cracked, dry hands in winter. Reverse the process—and maybe even catch it before it starts—with these tips that will keep your hands baby-soft all season long. These are 6 steps I follow religiously every winter to keep my hands in perfect shape:

More Skin Care Tips for Winter:

Finally! The Once and for All Solutions for Dry Hands this Winter

Step 1: Hydrate while washing

Winter is synonymous with excess---and sometimes excessive---hand washing. While it’s worth it to invest in moisturizing soaps that deliver hydrating agents to your skin, it’s even more beneficial to use a product like C.O. Bigelow Chapped Hands Cleanser ($12). The soap-free formula indulges hands without exposing them to detergents. Though it doesn’t foam up like traditional soap, it leaves skin especially soft thanks to its blend of jojoba and aloe vera oils.
Step 2: Prevent hangnails

With routine hand washing also comes the potential for dreaded hangnails. Loose skin around the fingernails can be annoying at best and painful at worst. Soothe the delicate skin in this area with Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream ($6). The nourishing emollient drenches skin with cocoa seed butter, sweet almond oil, and vitamin E, leaving it smooth and supple. (In a pinch, use it on dry knuckles and between fingers for a little boost of moisture.)
Step 3: Find a heavy-duty hand cream

Naturally, a heavy-duty hand cream is a must at this time of year. You might rely on a lightweight lotion most days, but something more potent, like Tatcha Indigo Soothing Hand Cream ($38), treats skin to the extra TLC it sorely demands in cold weather. Enriched with indigo plant extracts, this moisturizer stands out amongst its peers---and not just because of its blue color. It helps calm the most sensitive skin (think hands that are chapped to the point of discomfort), and is safe to use even on eczema and dermatitis.
Step 4: Protect nails from wear and tear

Straight from the simple-but-effective school of beauty comes this manicure trick: opt for light, neutral nail polish shades that give off a ladylike, timeless appearance. Your nails are at greater risk for wear and tear during this brutal season, so an airy hue, like Essie Spaghetti Strap ($8.50), is especially appropriate. It’s versatile, goes from day to evening with ease, and won’t show those pesky chips that inevitably occur.
Step 5: Fortify & strengthen your nails

If your nails aren’t in great shape, though, no polish in the world will reverse the brittleness. Apply a treatment, like Formula X Nail Hydrator ($14), to reveal healthier nails that grow stronger with regular use. And because frequent washing can dry out nails, this treatment is perfect for winter use. It’s enriched with aloe vera and naturally hydrating pentavitin, which is sourced from plants.
Step 6: Sleep with hand cream

Make the most of your beauty sleep with a hand cream that works overtime, like Bliss High Intensity ($18). The combination of grape seed extract and macadamia nut oil is a near immediate antidote to thirsty skin. The cream lasts and lasts, so even a dab will do a phenomenal job of healing painfully dry hands.