Dry hands from washing are a common price of good hygiene. People who work in healthcare, childcare, food preparation, cleaning or hairdressing, and anyone caring for a baby or a sick relative, may wash their hands dozens of times a day. The answer is not to wash less. It is to change how you wash, and above all what you do in the minute afterwards.
Why washing dries the hands
Soap removes dirt and germs by lifting oils, and it lifts the skin's own protective oils as well. Water evaporating from the skin afterwards takes more moisture with it. Repeated many times, this weakens the skin barrier. Hands become tight, rough and red, then cracked and sore.
Step 1: Change how you wash
- Use lukewarm water. Hot water removes more oil.
- Choose a mild, fragrance-free soap. Avoid harsh, strongly scented or "antibacterial" soaps for routine washing at home.
- Wash for 20 seconds, covering all surfaces. Thoroughness matters more than scrubbing hard.
- Rinse well, including under rings, where soap collects.
- Pat dry with a clean towel. Leave the skin very slightly damp.
Step 2: Moisturize immediately
Apply hand cream or ointment straight after drying, every time. This is the most important step.
- Choose a cream or ointment, in a tube or tub, over a thin lotion in a pump bottle. Thicker products work better.
- Look for petrolatum, mineral oil, glycerin, dimethicone or shea butter.
- Choose fragrance-free and dye-free products. Irritated skin reacts easily.
- Work it into the fingertips, knuckles and the skin between the fingers.
Hand Cream Ingredients: What to Look For explains hand cream ingredients.
Step 3: Use sanitizer wisely
When your hands are not visibly dirty, an alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol is an alternative to another wash.
- Apply enough to cover both hands.
- Rub until completely dry.
- Then apply hand cream.
Sanitizer stings on cracked skin. That does not mean you are allergic to it, but it is a sign that your skin needs more moisturizer.
Step 4: Protect your hands
- Wear waterproof gloves for washing dishes, cleaning and hair washing. Use cotton liners if you wear them for long. See How to Protect Your Nails During Household Work.
- Wear warm gloves outdoors in cold weather.
- Take off rings when you wash, and dry underneath them.
- Avoid direct contact with detergents, solvents and raw citrus juice, where you can.
Step 5: Repair overnight
- Before bed, apply a thick layer of ointment, such as petroleum jelly, or a rich hand cream.
- Put on clean cotton gloves.
- Leave them on overnight.
Do this nightly until the skin has healed, then once or twice a week. See Evening Hand and Foot Care: A Simple Routine.
Caring for cracks
- Keep cracks covered with ointment.
- A liquid bandage or a bandage can protect a painful split on a fingertip.
- Avoid picking at dry skin.
- Do not use fragranced products or exfoliating creams on broken skin. They sting. See Why Does Moisturizer Sting? Causes and Next Steps.
A day of hand care for frequent washers
| Moment | What to do |
|---|---|
| Each wash | Lukewarm water, mild soap, pat dry, cream |
| Between washes, clean hands | Sanitizer, let it dry, cream |
| Wet tasks | Gloves |
| Breaks | Reapply cream |
| Bedtime | Ointment and cotton gloves |
At work
If hand hygiene is part of your job, keep a tube of fragrance-free cream in your pocket. Ask whether your workplace provides moisturizer, and gentler cleansers. In healthcare settings, follow your employer's rules about which products are allowed.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor or dermatologist if:
- Your hands stay red, cracked, itchy or painful after one to two weeks of this routine.
- You develop small blisters, weeping or crusting.
- Cracks bleed, or show signs of infection.
- The problem affects your work or sleep.
You may have hand dermatitis, which can be caused by irritation or by an allergy to something you touch. Prescription creams and patch testing can help. Do not stop washing your hands when hygiene requires it.
For everyday prevention, see Daily Hand Care: Washing, Moisturizing, and Sun Protection.
Related on ArniSun
- Daily Hand Care: Washing, Moisturizing, and Sun Protection
- Hand Cream Ingredients: What to Look For
- How to Protect Your Nails During Household Work
- Evening Hand and Foot Care: A Simple Routine
- Why Does Moisturizer Sting? Causes and Next Steps
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
How can I wash my hands often without drying them out?
Use lukewarm water and a mild soap, pat your hands dry and apply a thick, fragrance-free cream immediately after every wash.
Is hand sanitizer or soap better for dry hands?
Sanitizer with moisturizers can be less drying than repeated washing, but soap and water are needed when hands are dirty. Moisturize after either.
Why do my hands crack in winter when I wash them?
Cold, dry air has already weakened the skin barrier, and washing removes more of its oils. Gloves outdoors and ointment at night help.