While the handwashing and sanitization protocols can’t be avoided (thanks to the pandemic), you can ensure it doesn’t result in dry and calloused hands. DIY hand masks for dry skin should be your go-to this season. Prepare a quick and easy exfoliating hand scrub and use it before bed.
The newly found softness of your hands will speak for itself the next day.
Why is Hand Exfoliation Important?
Often, our hands are the most overlooked part of our body when it comes to skincare. So let this serve as a reminder of why exfoliation is so essential for your hand skin. All you need are some homemade hand mask treatments for dry skin.
Every 30 days, the skin tends to shed dead cells. If the cells don’t shed completely, the skin becomes flaky with additional clogged pores. This can lead to unnecessary breakouts. However, if you regularly use an exfoliating hand scrub, it can help the upper layer of the skin, the epidermis to regenerate. This further allows the absorption of moisturizing products and the replenishment of your skin.
You don’t need to worry about any uncomfortable, unappealing breakouts. In addition, exfoliation improves blood circulation in the respected area, causing the skin to relax and breathe.
The rough, dull look is replaced by the original skin tone. Moreover, our hands are one of the first areas that begin showing signs of aging.
The good news is that long-term exfoliation can produce collagen, a protein that stimulates elasticity. Hence, it can delay the onset of old-looking hands.
Wave goodbye to rough, wrinkly hands as the fine lines and sagging disappear.
How Often Should You Exfoliate Your Hands?
Once you start exfoliating, it’s extremely easy to get used to it. The relaxing, soothing effect it brings along is endearing. If you have oily skin, frequent exfoliation is allowed. You can exfoliate based on need.
Be it daily, every other day, or less than that.
However, for individuals with dry skin, frequent at-home exfoliation is strictly not advised. Your dry skin moisturizing treatment or exfoliating hand scrub should not be used more than once or twice a week.
The skin is a sensitive area, specifically of the hands. Even the best exfoliators for hands can cause the epidermal layer to be easily damaged in case of over-exfoliation or scrubbing. Sometimes, it can lead to redness and irritability. So, like all things good, exfoliation is also best suited when done in the appropriate amount.
The Best Time to Apply a Hand Mask
There is no set rule for the application of hand masks. It all depends on your feasibility and routine. However, the effectiveness of the mask increases if applied right before bed.
Your hands are constantly at work all day which makes it tougher to let them rest for extended periods of time during the day.
If you apply the DIY hand cream for dry hands or the mask before going to bed, your hands can soak in all the nutrients and relax. It will also help remove any debris.
The DIY hand mask for dry skin will have ample time during the night to do its magic. It is important to note that if you are prescribed a medicated product for a skin condition, it is essential to space out the use of the hand mask and the medicated product to avoid any adverse reactions.
Furthermore, avoid applying the hand masks over cuts or open bruises on your skin.
Dry Hand Treatment at Home
Whether it be due to washing dishes, frequent use of sanitiser or just the cold, dry weather, most people tend to have rough hands. The good news is that we’ve got some easy, DIY dry hand treatments for you to try right at home!
- Aloe vera is a popular natural skincare product because of its anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties. Apply it on your hands as a soothing, organic moisturizer, or add it to your DIY hand mask for dry skin.
- The UVA and UVB rays from the sun can cause the skin to become increasingly dry, burnt, or damaged. To avoid this, your body should be protected from prolonged sun exposure at all times. An effective sunblock of at least 30 SPF should be your best friend.
- Apply moisturizing lotions or petroleum-based moisturizers like Vaseline overnight. Natural oils such as coconut oil or olive oil for dry hands can also be used.
- Oats play an excellent role in skin rejuvenation. Simply add some raw or cooked oats to your bath time routine by mixing them with bath water or olive oil.
Note: Pin the image below to pinterest to come back later 🙂
DIY Hand Mask Ingredients and Their Benefits
The reason most people avoid taking care of their hands is because of the expensive products or the time-consuming regimens that entail. That is exactly why we have compiled a few of the most effective yet easy DIY dry skin hand mask recipes.
You no longer have to search long and hard for the unique ingredients because they are probably already available in your house.
With the benefits these ingredients sow, you will wonder why you’ve never used them on your hands before!
1. Lemon and sugar
Lemon is a rich source of Vitamin C which helps with reducing skin discolouration and lightening dark spots from prolonged sun exposure. Meanwhile, sugar is a natural exfoliator that does a great job at removing dead cells and debris off the skin.
2. Honey and almond
Honey is a natural moisturizer that relieves dry skin by making it smoother. Powdered almonds are great exfoliators and improve the skin texture.
3. Coconut oil and sugar
Coconut oil consists of fatty acids that not only soothe the skin but also prevent dryness. Traditionally, coconut oil for dry hands has been used for decades to alleviate different skin conditions.
4. Epsom salt
Epsom salt can help ease pain, irritation, and inflammation in addition to exfoliating the skin and making it softer
Recommended DIY skin care recipes
How to tighten under eyes with eye masks
7 homemade DIY almond face packs
4 best cucumber face mask for pigmentation
Now, let’s look at some hand scrub recipes for dry skin hands.
DIY Hand Mask Recipes for Dry Skin
Here are some easy hand masks that you can make easily with all natural ingredients. I suggest trying 1 mask for one time. Give some time to see some results before you move on to next one.
You don’t want to make your hands too rough by using too many dry hand remedies.
Let’s find out.
#1. Lemon & Sugar Hand Scrub
Ingredients
- 85g of sugar
- 1 lemon
- 32g of olive oil or coconut oil
Method
- Gradually add the oil of your choice to the sugar.
- Squeeze the lemon juice into the container and mix it well.
- Apply the mixture to hands and rub them together for 1 minute.
- Rinse it off your hands with lukewarm water.
- Apply a moisturizer or hand cream.
How often to apply:
Twice or thrice a week
#2. Almond and Honey Scrub
Ingredients
- A few almonds
- 1/2 teaspoon of honey
- Milk as required
Method
- Turn the almonds into powder by grinding them.
- Add in the ½ teaspoon honey and the amount of milk required to make a smooth paste.
- Apply this paste to your hands and massage it for 2 minutes.
- Rinse it off with warm water.
How often to apply:
Thrice a week
#3. Sugar and Coconut Oil Scrub
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
- 1/4 cup of sugar
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 1/4 cup of salt
- Lime juice
Method
- Mix a tablespoon each of honey and coconut oil.
- Mix the sugar and salt into it.
- Add some lime juice to it and blend it for 30 seconds.
- Apply the mixture to your hands and gently massage it for 1 minute.
- Rinse off with water.
Note: You can store the mix in an airtight container and re-use it within a week.
How often to apply:
3 times a week
#4. Epsom Salt Hand Scrub
Ingredients
- 1 cup of Epsom salt
- 1 cup olive oil
Method
- Mix the Epsom salt and olive oil well in a bowl until it becomes a smooth paste.
- Gently massage the paste on your hands for 1-2 minutes.
- Rinse it off with a warm waiter.
Note: Grapeseed oil can also be used. It has the same effect as olive oil for cracked hands.
How often to apply:
Thrice a week
How to Moisturize your Dry Hands with a Homemade Hand Mask?
Once you have prepared a DIY dry skin hand mask for yourself, there are a few helpful tips that will make your experience even more rewarding.
It is important to wash your hands before applying the hand mask. This will allow the nutrients in the mask to work their magic on your clean skin.
Moreover, one must never forget that moisturizer works best while the skin is still damp. Hence, after washing your hands, pat them with a towel so that just enough moisture remains on the skin. It will help entrap the water in your skin, keeping it well hydrated.
Don’t forget to apply moisturizer after every hand wash.
Since the hands are the part of the body most exposed to irritants, the more you moisturize, the better it is. Furthermore, it is necessary to gently exfoliate your skin using an exfoliating hand scrub occasionally (depending on your skin type) before applying the mask.
This allows the moisturizing nutrients to penetrate into your skin better by removing the upper layer of dead cells and preventing their gradual accumulation.
In addition, you can find comfortable cotton gloves or mittens to keep the DIY hand mask for dry skin from getting on surfaces other than your hands. Lastly, ensure that you apply the hand mask in regular, circular movements. Your tired hands deserve a good old moisturizing massage after a long, stressful day.
The cotton gloves below are most comfortable. These are specific for dry hand personal care. Made with 100% premium cotton and are proven to absorb creams and ointments.
Tips for an Overnight Hand Mask Treatment
While your hands are busy all day, the sleeping hours are the only time they get to fully rest for an extended period. Hence, this is the best time to pamper your hands and let them heal while you slumber!
One of the best remedies for dry, cracked hands is to generously lather your dry skin moisturizing treatment all over your hands right before bed. Massage it soothingly until it appears to have been sufficiently absorbed. Then wear comfortable, cotton gloves or mittens.
This ensures that the mask is kept from getting on surfaces other than your hands. Moreover, it traps the moisturizing nutrients of the hand mask, enabling it to be adequately absorbed by the skin.
Hand Care Is Important
The key takeaway is that despite being the most used, our hands are our least cared for the body part. That is exactly why we need to take some time off our busy schedules and treat our hard-working hands the right way.
And what better way to do that than by using a good exfoliating hand scrub or a DIY hand mask for dry skin. Alas, prepare to say hello to softer, smoother hands than you’ve ever had before.
