How to stop hands from drying out after washing

What to do at the sink

1. 1Remove rings before washing so soap and water do not get trapped underneath.
2. 2Wet your hands with clean, running lukewarm water and apply soap. Scrub for at least 20 seconds, including the backs, between your fingers and under your nails.
3. 3Rinse thoroughly. Gently dab with a clean towel rather than rubbing. For ordinary dry skin, leave your hands slightly damp; if you have hand dermatitis, dry carefully between your fingers and under rings.
4. 4Apply cream or ointment immediately, working it over your hands, fingertips and nails.

Why do my hands get dry after washing?

Soap removes oils as well as dirt, and hot water strips away protective skin oils. Repeated exposure to water and detergents damages the skin barrier, the outer layer that helps keep moisture in. Frequent washing without moisturizing adds to that damage. People doing wet work, including healthcare, cleaning and catering, are particularly prone to hand dermatitis, also called hand eczema.46

What hand soap is good for dry hands?

Choose a mild, fragrance free soap or moisturizing hand wash, and rinse it off well. Moisturizing ingredients to look for include shea butter, jojoba, ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Some soaps are more drying than others, so finding a gentler one can take a few tries, despite the bottle's apparent confidence. If you have dyshidrotic eczema, a form of eczema with itchy blisters, avoid antibacterial and deodorant soaps because they can trigger flares.1456

Should you moisturize after washing your hands?

Yes, after every wash and whenever your hands feel dry. For chapped hands, choose a thick cream or ointment containing mineral oil or petrolatum, with fragrance free and dye free on the label. These options tend to feel less irritating. If lotion is not helping, switch to cream or ointment. For dyshidrotic eczema, use cream or ointment rather than lotion.157

Keep a small tube at work and a supply at home so moisturizing is practical throughout the day. Apply again before bed. A cream can be less greasy than an ointment during the day, which is useful when your next task involves paper rather than polishing it. Cotton gloves over moisturizer at night can keep bedclothes from getting greasy. Use a clean spoon to remove moisturizer from a tub, and do not share the pot.2

How do you protect hands from frequent washing?

Reduce unnecessary soaking between necessary washes. Wear waterproof gloves for dishes and cleaning, with cotton liners if your skin is irritated. Gloves should be clean, dry and free of holes; replace them if they become wet inside. Take them off when the task is finished because sweating can worsen dermatitis. Wear warm fabric gloves in cold weather. In a dry home, a humidifier can help.24567

When soap and water are unavailable, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol. Let it dry, then apply moisturizer. Wash visibly dirty hands with soap and water. Healthcare workers should follow their workplace's infection control rules rather than changing hand hygiene on their own.1234

When do dry hands need medical help?

Contact a healthcare professional if dryness persists despite these changes, or if severe dryness causes cracking or pain. Eczema can need prescription treatment as well as moisturizer. Moisturizers can sting on cracked skin; stinging alone does not mean an allergy. If a product repeatedly worsens irritation, avoid it and ask about an alternative. Keep protecting your hands after they look better because irritated skin can remain vulnerable for several months.12457