Hand eczema affects 14.5% of the worldwide population, and this condition can seriously affect your quality of life. Even if you don’t have hand eczema, dry hands can really put a damper on everyday activities.
The good news is that we have plenty of lotions and creams on the market, and there’s bound to be an effective solution.
So when you’re on the hunt for hand moisturizer, what should you look for? Read on for the top ingredients found in the best hand cream for dry hands so you find amazing products.
Humectants
These hand cream ingredients have hygroscopic properties, which means they attract moisture from the environment and help retain it in the skin. As a result, they help you maintain hydration levels to fight dry and cracked hands.
Common humectants include glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and urea. What’s great is if you suffer from dry skin all over your body, various beauty products have humectants as well, such as serums and masks.
Emollients
Emollients are ingredients that form a protective barrier on the skin’s surface and have lubricating properties that soften and smooth the skin’s surface. Its main purpose is to moisturize and soften your skin, and this is done by filling in the gaps between skin cells. The barrier formed helps seal in moisture and prevents water loss, which is excellent for dry and dehydrated skin.
Some examples of emollients are shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil, and jojoba oil.
Occlusives
Occlusives are another type of ingredient that forms a protective barrier on the skin’s surface. More specifically, they prevent transepidermal water loss (TEWL). So in addition to improving dry and dehydrated skin, occlusives can help damaged skin too.
Occlusives include petrolatum (petroleum jelly), mineral oil, beeswax, and lanolin. These ingredients are great for use in harsh or dry climates.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)
Part of dry skin is the presence of dead skin cells, which can give you a dulled look. To improve your overall skin texture, turn to AHAs.
AHAs can exfoliate dead skin cells, allowing other moisturizing ingredients to penetrate deeper into the skin. As a result, AHAs will reveal smoother, brighter, and more even-toned skin underneath.
What’s interesting is that AHAs are naturally occurring, meaning you can get them from fruits, milk, and sugar cane. But in hand creams, look for glycolic, lactic, mandelic, and citric acids.
Get the Best Hand Cream for Dry Hands
If your hands are so dry that you can’t get work done, then it’s time to get the best hand cream for dry hands. Some products can be pricy though, so it’s best to know what to look for before spending any money.
By knowing what skin type you have and which ingredients promote skin hydration, you’ll be better able to find a product that works for you. It may take a little experimenting, but you’re sure to have better skin in no time.
To take better care of your health, keep reading our blog page for more helpful information.
