Help my hands! (Please - pic included)

[Whereareallthejellyfish]

I have incredibly dry hands, to the point where they split/crack over the knuckles and I feel like I have tried everything!

I always make sure I dry them properly, they are in and out of water a lot at home as all Mum's hands tend to be, but I always give them a proper dry.

I've tried so many creams/lotions/gloves at night and nothing seems to help

Does anyone have any tried and tested ideas?

Seconding all the recommendations for O'Keefes.

Also, hand cream is apparently designed to "lock in" existing moisture and should be applied as soon as possible after washing your hands. In other words, you may be doing yourself a disservice drying your hands thoroughly first. Try applying lotion when they're still a bit moist. Google this for further details ...

Good luck. Dry hands suck.

@Whereareallthejellyfish

my DD’s hands get like this. For prevention, avoid washing hands more than be necessary, dry thoroughly but gently, and apply a little Aveeno or similar after each wash. Look for a moisturising soap (the stuff they use at DD’s school is awful and her hands are always better after a week off school).

To give them a healing boost try lanolin (usually found with nipple cream in the baby aisle - Lasinoh is the most widely available brand). It is very thick and feels like hard grease when cold but softens as it warms up. Smear some onto the driest parts just before going to bed and pop cotton gloves (or socks) over the top to stop it spreading all over your bedding.

There’s no one-time fix though, you’ll have to build regular moisturising into your normal routine, or it will just con back as soon as you stop.

When mine are bad, for an instant boost, I put about a teaspoon or dessert spoon of olive oil in the palm of one hand then about a teaspoon of sugar. Rub all over gently and the sugar gently exfoliates. Rinse under the tap and shake off the excess water. Pat dry and add hand cream.

This is really good. It fixes my skin on my hands and knuckles really quickly, but not the tips of my fingers for some reason!

Neutrogena Norwegian hand cream. I’d agree with Pp about wearing gloves. I’d try disposable ones for a bit. Moisturiser on before hand just a tiny bit.

I have contact dermatitis (diagnosed by Dermatology). Only two things have really helped - Derm prescribed me Dermol 500. It’s a moisturiser that can also be used as a hand wash. I don’t use soap now, I have dual dispensers with that one side at time. Even have some in the loo at work. Also Omega 3 supplements. Only Omega 3. +6 and 9 doesn’t help!
I have to avoid Lanolin, it makes mine worse. I just use moisturiser like Cetraban at bedtime.

Try Epimax

It is brilliant- it has fabulously restored my poor mums hand and face .

Neutrogena Norwegian at night
Gloves in a bottle during the day

I discovered I have a real sensitivity to some antibacterial liquid soaps. Carex is the worst. My hands go exactly like that after a few washes. Drove me mad for years trying to work out why and thinking it was washing up liquid. They are just too harsh. I use just normal liquid hand soap now and have been through a few to trial to see what is best for me. Cheap and cheerful Bayliss and Harding seems to be fine for me.

every night in bed I slather on Norwegian Formula into every nook and cranny of my hands (and feet!). It feels too thick and gunky when you put too much on like that but if you’re only going to sleep I don’t see the issue. After a few days the cracks are gone.

stay hydrated too.

I think it may be whatever cleaning products/hand wash/shampoo/soap you use.
Mr Sheen gives me hands like that. So does anything other than Fairy for washing up.

Have you tried Vaseline Intensive Care?
It really works.
You can buy bottles in boots / supermarket- but link here (for 6 bottles!) just so you know what you are looking for:

Vaseline Intensive Care Fragrance Free Advance Repair Lotion, 400 ml, Pack of 6 amzn.eu/d/gI5PI0d

LIDL do a concentrated hand cream (more of a balm than a cream) in their Cien range (I can't remember the exact name but it's the red and white tube). It was very inexpensive and a little goes a long way. Excellent for parched skin.

I can't see if anyone has mentioned it but Eucerin skin care is also excellent (contains urea) and has a wide range of products. You can get it from the larger Boots and also Superdrug I think in the specialist skincare range for facial as well as body, especially foot/hand care. When I've bought this range it's usually online at Boots during their promotions. 🌹