You love getting that fresh coat of paint on your nails! It’s so polished and clean and smooth, it gives you a serious confidence boost! But, what’s going on around the nail? Dry winter hands and cracked knuckles that feel like sandpaper can draw all the attention away from your beautiful nails. We’ve got some great tips here today to keep your hands soft and beautiful this winter!
Maintain Moisture
One culprit for dry hands that affects almost every single person is winter. When the air turns cold, it dries out, making it difficult for our hands to stay moisturized. We want to make sure we are applying lotion, cream, or oil regularly to either soothe our dry hands, or preferably, prevent them from getting that way. Since creams tend to lay on thicker, they would be a better option in colder months for those of you with extra dry skin.
A lot of people also prefer using oils as they can better control the ingredients that are being used on their bodies. Some good oils you can use for moisturizing include Jojoba Oil that is similar to sebum naturally produced by our bodies already, Rosehip Seed Oil which contains fatty acids and vitamins for replenishing moisture and preventing wrinkles, and Avocado Oil that is high in Vitamin E. Others include Coconut Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Olive Oil, and Carrot Seed Oil.
Night Treatment
Most of us already have a nighttime self-care routine that we follow. Why not add a simple hand treatment to that regimen for the winter time? Start by exfoliating with a simple sugar scrub. Combine 1 tablespoon of sugar with 1 tablespoon of coconut oil and gently rub it into your hands, concentrating on the driest points such as your knuckles, then rinse with warm water. After, apply your favorite hand cream or some warm olive oil and wear gloves while you sleep for intense moisturization and healing.
At Home Treatments
There are many DIY remedies you can use that involve products you likely already have at home, such as the night treatment mentioned before. There are countless recipes for hand treatments on Pinterest that contain one or many of these ingredients. They may include an overripe banana, aloe vera, oatmeal, honey, yogurt, olive oil, coconut oil, or apple cider vinegar.
Something else you may already have in your home is hydrocortisone ointment. Even if you don’t already have this, it’s easy to get. Just go to a local pharmacy and pick up a small tube of either plain hydrocortisone ointment, or a tube that also contains aloe vera for additional healing. If your hands are cracked, inflamed, and irritated, this will help calm them down to put you on the fast track to smooth, soft hands!
Cuticle Health
We want to take care of our hands because we don’t want to waste our time and money on a manicure just to see it ruined by dry and cracked hands. There’s another small detail we want to make sure we don’t forget, though, and that’s the barrier between our hands and nails: the cuticle. The best and easiest way to keep our cuticles in good health is by using a cuticle oil. The Almond & Ginseng Cuticle Oil is beneficial for both the cuticles, and helps to give your nails an extra boost as well!
Almond Oil is another one of those that is high in fatty acids and proteins whereas Ginseng Oil is known for its rejuvenating properties. You can apply and massage this oil into the nail and cuticle areas before applying your favorite nail polish, making sure to rinse and wash with warm water before doing so. You can also apply the oil as often as needed to keep your cuticles and nails looking fresh, healthy, and moisturized!
Conclusion
It’s time to say goodbye to dry winter hands! Just remember to stay diligent with using your hand creams, DIY remedies, and keeping those cuticles in check. By doing so, you will be well on your way to the soft and supple wintertime hands you have always dreamed of!
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