Antonia's Tips for Dry, Sensitive Hands in the Winter
As a nurse, hands are something I’ve always paid close attention to. I’ve seen first-hand how constant washing, harsh products and cold weather can leave skin dry, sore and looking older far sooner than it should.
Winter is especially tough on our hands. Cold air outside, heating indoors and frequent hand washing all strip the skin of its natural oils. Over time, this can lead to dryness, sensitivity and fine lines that are hard to shift without the right care.
These are the simple, effective habits I recommend (and use myself) to help protect and repair hands, whatever your age.
1. Protect your hands whenever you can
When washing up or cleaning, I always recommend wearing rubber gloves. Hot water and detergents are incredibly harsh on skin and can undo all your hard work in seconds.
It sounds obvious, but this one small change can make a huge difference over time.
2. Apply hand cream little and often
One of the most common mistakes I see is saving hand cream for “when hands feel really bad”. By that point, the skin barrier is already compromised.
I suggest applying hand cream around five times a day. Think of it like brushing your teeth, regular, small habits work better than occasional rescue treatments.
3. Avoid harsh ingredients
Not all hand creams are created equal. Ingredients like alcohol can dry the skin further, and if your hands are very sensitive, fragrance can sometimes cause irritation.
If your hands are prone to soreness or eczema, simpler formulations are often best.
4. Intensify repair with hand slugging
This is one of my favourite overnight tricks, especially in winter.
Hand slugging simply means layering a thicker balm over your hand cream to seal everything in. After applying your usual hand cream, add a generous layer of a richer balm, such as Caring Skin Fix, over the top.
For best results, pop on cotton gloves and leave it on overnight. This gives your skin uninterrupted time to repair and rehydrate while you sleep.
A final thought
Our hands work hard for us every single day, and they’re often the first place to show signs of damage and ageing. A few small changes to your routine can make a real difference, not just to how your hands look, but how comfortable they feel too.
With Love,
Antonia
Nurse + Co-Founder of Nursem
