Dry and cracked hands can be very painful (Image: Getty)
An expert has urged people to start doing one thing when they climb into bed to help their hands stay soft and smooth. Because with autumn now here and winter creeping up on us, the colder seasons bring with it cold air that can dry out our skin, causing some seriously sore, dry, cracked and bleeding hands.
Dr Anil Sharma, a medical doctor at has revealed the exact reason why our skin is dry in winter – and what you need to do in bed before you get your much-needed shut-eye. He explains: “In winter, noticeable signs of dry skin include flakiness, roughness, tightness, itching, and even raw or chapped areas. Our hands are particularly prone to dryness due to their frequent use.
“Cold temperatures lower humidity, drawing moisture from the skin, while indoor heating systems like heaters, wood stoves, and fireplaces exacerbate the dryness by reducing moisture levels in the air. Hot showers can strip the skin of its natural oils, further contributing to dryness, especially when combined with harsh soaps that can irritate and dehydrate the skin. If you’re someone who’s prone to dry hands in the winter months, it’s essential to choose moisturisers that contain nourishing ingredients like glycerin, jojoba oil, shea butter, and aloe vera.”
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As well as picking the right moisturiser, Dr Sharma advises wearing gloves to bed – and it’s not to stay warm. “If your cuticles are still flaky, dry, or hardening, consider establishing a nighttime routine with oils rich in vitamins and moisturising properties. Oils like coconut, argan, and almond are high in vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that supports the formation of protective membranes for skin cells,” she said.
She added: “You might also try a multi-benefit oil like jojoba, which contains not only vitamin E but also vitamin A, promoting smooth and youthful skin, as well as vitamin B, which acts as an antioxidant and helps protect against free radicals and cell damage.”
After choosing your cuticle oil follow these three simple steps:
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Once you’ve chosen your oil, apply a few drops to each cuticle. You can either use a cotton ball or a brush to do this, depending on the product and what works best for you.
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Gently massage the oil into your cuticles for a few minutes. This helps stimulate blood circulation and ensures the oil is absorbed deeply into the skin, delivering maximum benefits.
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After massaging the oil in, slip on a pair of cotton gloves. These gloves help trap your body’s natural heat, allowing the oil to penetrate even more deeply and soften your cuticles overnight. Cotton gloves are ideal because they promote better absorption of moisturisers and leave your skin feeling soft by morning.
You should repeat this routine regularly to maintain healthy, hydrated cuticles. “For an added step, consider applying a hand cream enriched with vitamin E or a shea butter-based formula before putting on the cotton glove,” she suggested.
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As well as adding this glove step to your bedtime routine, you need to make sure that if you wash your hands, you should make sure that you use the right soap. The expert warns that some soaps can be drying” and if you suffer with dry skin, you should “opt for soaps with added moisturising ingredients that are gentler on the skin” which will help to prevent any dryness. “Common moisturising ingredients include glycerin, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid. For those who prefer natural options, soaps with avocado oil, shea butter, coconut oil, or jojoba oil offer effective moisturising benefits,” she said.
After washing your hands, the expert recommends patting your hands dry rather than rubbing them to prevent skin irritation as rubbing your hands can irritate your skin, especially if it’s already dry. Homemade products like sugar combined with coconut oil can help gently buff away dry skin”, the doctor advises.