The weather around here is changing and I am noticing that with the colder and drier air, my hands are suffering a little. It’s no mystery that dry, cold air robs the skin of essential moisture. To add insult to injury, most of us wash our hands numerous times a day. This leaves our skin even more vulnerable to dehydration. I experience the worst drying between my pinky and ring fingers and if I don’t moisturize properly, I experience irritation and itching.

So what can you do to keep your hands soft and hydrated during the dry season? For starters, avoid anti-bacterial soaps when you can. While clinical settings demand constant sanitation, most of us can do just fine with regular soap and water. Don’t fall prey to the notion that you need to kill every microbe on your skin for it to be healthy. On the contrary, balanced skin is the healthiest kind of all. A nice and gentle pump soap to try is L’Occitane Shea Butter Extra Gentle Wash For Hands & Body. This is a great choice for frequent hand-washers since the super mild formula actually softens and protects the skin rather than stripping out moisture. Wash your hands in warm but not hot water since hot water is very drying to the skin.

During the day, I keep Atopalm MLE Cream at my desk at all times and apply a small amount at the first sign of dry, cracked or irritated skin. I’m always amazed at how quickly this wonder cream reduces irritation and redness. It leaves my skin nice and soothed without any greasy feel whatsoever. That’s something I really appreciate since typing with greasy hands is just plain yucky, for lack of a better word. The MLE Cream is free of dyes and perfumes so it’s perfect for the most sensitive of skins.

Right before bed, after my last hand wash of the day, I like to apply L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream. The 20% Shea Butter formula is very rich and moisturizing and leaves my skin feeling incredibly soft and nourished. It does feel a little heavy at first which is why I use it before bed. However, it does absorb after a few minutes and doesn’t leave much of a residue. If you feel that it’s too rich for you, try the L’Occitane Shea Butter Extra Gentle Lotion For Hands & Body. The formula is much lighter with only 5% Shea Butter but it still moisturizes nicely. Both products have a light pleasant scent that lasts through several hand washings.

I’ve heard that our hands are the first place we show the signs of aging. That said, make sure you don’t neglect your hands this winter. They just might give your age away!