Caring for dry, cracked hands

Causes of cracked skin on fingers and hands

If you’re experiencing cracks or fissures in your skin, it’s because something is causing your skin to dry out. There are loads of potential causes associated with this type of skincare  setback, including:

• Cold, windy weather – When the weather turns colder, humidity decreases and the air dries out. Your body may find it more difficult to retain moisture, leading to dry, cracked hands.
• Genetic predisposition – For some people, it’s all in the genes. There are a broad range of inherited skin conditions that may cause your hands to dry out more easily.
• Underlying medical conditions – It’s also important to remember that in certain cases, your dry hands could be caused by a medical condition. If you’re suffering from psoriasis, diabetes, or an underactive thyroid gland, for example, there’s a chance that your dry hands are being caused by your condition.
• Certain medications – Some medications, such as diuretics or cholesterol medication, can cause dryness in your hands and fingers as a side-effect.
• Household irritants – When you’re handling household cleaning products, it’s super important to use protective gear, such as rubber gloves, as the chemicals found in these types of products can irritate your skin and cause it to dry out.

The effect of handwash and hand sanitizer

There are a couple of other—perhaps surprising—reasons why you may find yourself dealing with cracked fingertips. Although alcohol-based hand sanitizers are an effective way to curb the spread of germs, they can also cause dryness if you use them too regularly by depleting your skin’s natural protective barrier. It’s also important to note that, when used too often, regular soap and water can also strip away your skin’s natural protective oils, leading to cracks and fissures.

So, does this mean that you should cut back on washing your hands? No. Although you certainly shouldn’t overuse hand sanitizer, washing your hands regularly is an important aspect of personal hygiene that you shouldn’t neglect just because of the potential for dry, sore, and irritated skin. Instead, wash your hands in lukewarm water (water that’s too hot or cold can aggravate your skin, leading to dryness).

Now that we’ve got a solid understanding of what causes cracked skin on your fingers and hands, let’s take a look at some of Garnier’s best hand cream for dry hands.

Our guide to the best hand cream for dry hands

There are plenty of ways to care for cracked fingertips and hands, from avoiding harsh cleansing products to wearing protective gloves. However, aside from these sorts of preventative measures, there are also a wide range of moisturisers and hand creams for dry skin that you should explore.

Let’s take the example of Body Repair Hand. Enriched with Maple Sap, renowned for its soothing properties, our Hand Repair Hand Cream intensely nourishes dry skin with moisture and instantly soothes, even after washing. Or our Intensive 7 Days Aloe Vera Hand Cream, which is enriched with naturally derived ingredients like Aloe Vera. Known for its ultra-hydrating properties, this product ensures that your hands are left feeling nourished.

There are a few other Garnier hand creams that may be worth exploring; Intensive 7 Days Shea Butter Hand Cream provides ultra-effective hydration for chapped, dry hands or featuring honey and royal jelly.