Seasonal Hand Care Tips

During the winter months, it's important to take extra care of our skin, especially our hands. The cold weather can leave hands feeling dry, chapped and rough. One way to counter this is by using hand butter. Regular use will leave your hands feeling soft, smooth and healthy.

Make sure the product you’re using consists of only natural ingredients like Shea butter. This is a great moisturiser: the fatty acids help to restore the skin’s natural oils and retain moisture, leaving your hands soft and supple again. Shea butter is safe for all skin types, including sensitive skin and has antibacterial properties that can prevent infections and promote healing of the nicks and splits that are common for dry skin in winter.

Another great natural product for the hand, is Aloe Vera. It is widely used in cosmetics, skincare and herbal medicine. Due to its moisturising properties, Aloe vera can also help to soothe skin dry and cracked hands. It has certain antibacterial properties to promote healing and prevent infection. It is rich in antioxidants protecting the skin from free radicals that can cause premature aging. Aloe vera is safe for all skin types.

Mango butter is another popular ingredient. It’s an excellent moisturiser with fatty acids to revive the skin’s natural oils and lock in moisture. Anti-inflammatory properties help to soothe irritated and inflamed skin and the high vitamin A and C content act as antioxidants to protect the skin from free radicals and counter dull looking skin/premature aging. Mango butter is safe for all skin types.

Here are a few tips to help you with hand care – particularly through the winter months:

Moisturise regularly: Use a hand butter regularly to keep your hands hydrated and soft. Look for products that contain natural ingredients like Shea butter, Aloe vera or Mango butter.

Wear gloves: Use gloves when washing dishes or cleaning to protect your hands from harsh chemicals and detergents.

 Avoid over hot water: Hot water can draw natural oils from the skin and cause dryness and irritation.

 Use mild soaps: Avoid soaps with chemical ingredients. Use fragrance-free soaps to avoid irritating your skin.

Exfoliate: Exfoliate your hands once a week to remove dead skin cells and promote healthy skin growth. Use a gentle scrub with natural ingredients like sugar, fine sea salt or coffee grounds.