Cracks, scales, roughness … no, I’m not talking about a reptile. I’m talking about the painfully moisture-deprived hands that come with cold weather. And no matter how many times you apply hand cream, sometimes it’s just never enough. An easy solution? Buy better lotion! Rich, conditioning, natural ingredients will boost the delicate skin that bears the brunt of winter.
fields of lavender
One of the nourishing lotion’s featured ingredients is lavender essential oil from Haute-Provence, known for its soothing and purifying properties. Also enriched with shea butter and grape seed oil, it’s a lightweight lotion that softens the skin.
L’Occitane Lavender Hand Cream, $24
loccitane.com
natural love
The small family business just a stone’s throw from Glacier National Park focuses on natural, good-for-you ingredients like wild herbs, Montana hot springs water and hemp seed oil, which reverses free radical damage, protects against the sun and soothes.
The Good Stuff Botanicals Gypsy Cream, $29.99
thegoodstuffbotanicals.com, amazon.com
silky smooth
The face and neck are mainly where we think to reverse aging, but the hands should not be forgotten. This lotion not only moisturizes, but it’s packed with active vegan collagen to brighten and even tone and reduce dark spots.
Algenist GENIUS Liquid Collagen Hand Cream, $38
sephora.com, algenist.com
all-purpose balm
I always love a product that can multitask. This looks like a large tub of lip balm—and while it can be used as that, it’s also great for dry skin, nails and hair. Yes, nails and cuticles need moisture, too, and this is a quick and easy way to do that. Or rub it in on spots that always seem to stay dry on your hands (like knuckles!).
Earth Love Cosmetics Flower Balm, $20
earthlovecosmetics.com
preventative measures
The best prevention for dry, scaly skin is to start moisturizing before there is a noticeable problem. How well your hands fare in the winter weather has a lot to do with genetics; the strength of your skin barrier (a mix of proteins, lipids and oils) determines how well your skin retains moisture.
treatment
Putting hand lotion on just once a day is only enough protection for about 5 minutes. Instead, apply five or six times a day to make the effects last longer. It’s all about around-the-clock care.
Source: webmd.com
Photo: Cydney Moore