Revive your winter-ravaged hands with this 4-step routine

Our hands face daily trials — constant exposure to harsh chemicals, drying alcohols, and fragrances found in soaps, sanitisers, and detergents, not to mention endless dunking in water. On top of that, they soak up the potent skincare heroes we smooth over our faces, like acids and retinol.

And then there’s winter itself: the cruel, icy winds and glaring sun that rob our hands of essential lipids and let moisture escape through micro-cracks in the skin barrier.

Hands are also an aging red flag. While we dutifully pamper our faces, necks, and décolletages, our hands often get the short end of the skincare stick. Over time, they lose fat and elasticity, leading to wrinkles and sunspots that love to make themselves at home. Neglect moisturizing, and you’ll spot a crisscross of crepey skin, scaly knuckles, and nails starting to peel.

Below, we dive into how to revive cracked, dry winter hands, shield them from the elements, and bring back that silky-smooth touch. 

As flu season sets in, frequent and vigorous hand washing becomes second nature, along with the constant reach for hand sanitiser after touching public surfaces. Unfortunately, these habits can severely dry out your hands. To mitigate the damage, opt for hand washes enriched with skin-friendly botanical oils whenever possible. We highly recommend Dr Barbara Sturm’s Hand Wash, which leaves hands impeccably clean without stripping away natural oils and moisture. This fragrance- and colour-free formula features plant-based foaming agents derived from coconut oil, while aloe vera and glycerine boost hydration, and purslane adds a touch of antioxidant protection.

When selecting a hand sanitiser, seek out formulas that balance purifying and hydrating ingredients, as the alcohol content can be notoriously drying. Tromborh Deluxe Purification Hand Gel tackles germs with its potent 80 per cent alcohol base, while calendula steps in to nourish the skin. Another favourite is Aesop’s Geranium Leaf Rinse-Free Hand Wash, which boasts an invigorating blend of geranium leaf, mandarin, and bergamot rind. Unlike typical clinical-smelling, moisture-sapping sanitisers, this one is infused with hydrating glycerine, ensuring your hands stay refreshed and soft.

Many don’t realise that the skin on your hands isn’t uniform; different areas have unique needs. The skin on the tops of your hands is thinner and more prone to showing signs of aging, becoming almost transparent over time. In contrast, the skin on your palms is one of the thickest layers on the body, built for protection and resilience.

Because of this, targeted care is essential. To ensure your hand cream penetrates effectively and delivers moisture where it’s needed most, start by exfoliating your hands. Using a gentle alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) can remove dead skin cells on the thinner top layer, creating a smoother surface that absorbs moisture better. However, if you’re already using a retinol serum on your face, you’re likely providing an incidental dose of exfoliation to your hands as well, so additional exfoliation might not be necessary.

Even with the best broad-spectrum sunscreen, the backs of our hands are often left overlooked as sunscreen is typically seen as a face-only step, especially in winter. Yet, this area stays exposed daily to sunlight and persistent UVA rays that can penetrate clouds and even car windows, leading to pigmentation over time. To keep your hands protected, make reapplying SPF after washing your hands and before driving a non-negotiable part of your routine. Your future self will thank you.

Repeated exposure to harsh soaps and alcohol-based hand sanitisers can strip the skin of essential lipids, leading to moisture loss and parched hands. The simple fix? Keep a non-fragranced hand cream close and make moisturising after every wash a non-negotiable.

For the ultimate hand cream, look for powerhouse ingredients: ceramides for barrier repair, humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid to draw in moisture, and petrolatum as an occlusive to lock it all in. And ,If you’re ready to take things up a notch, try ‘hand slugging’ before bed. Layer a hyaluronic acid serum, follow with your favourite hand cream, and seal it all with a topcoat of Vaseline or Aquaphor. Slip on cotton gloves, and wake up to hands that feel hydrated – so soft they've practically been reborn.

One easy way to keep your hands hydrated is to wash them with warm water instead of hot. Hot water can trigger inflammation and compromise the skin barrier, turning dryness into a bigger issue.

For an extra boost of moisture, apply your hand cream while your hands are still slightly damp, but not dripping wet. This helps lock in the water and ensures your skin drinks up every bit of hydration your cream has to offer.

If you enjoy getting gel nails or any type of polish that has to be cured under a UV light, consider investing in some UV gloves. Repeated exposure to UV rays can exacerbate ageing in your hands and these gloves will reduce the ray's impact.