Dry hands in winter: which hand cream helps?
Goed Gevoel, 21 December 2022
Why do hands dry out in winter and which hand cream should you choose? Dr Griet Voet on causes, useful ingredients and perfume as a pitfall.
In Goed Gevoel, Dr Griet Voet and skincare expert Ciska Dings discuss why our hands dry out so quickly in winter. According to Dr Voet, cold, windy weather makes the problem worse, but frequent contact with water, soap, disinfectant and cleaning products is the main cause. Hairdressers, cleaning staff and healthcare workers are more at risk, as are menopausal women and people taking acne medication. In people prone to eczema, stress can also play a role.
As for ingredients, the dermatologist points to urea, which moisturises the skin but can sting in cracks, and petroleum jelly, which forms a protective layer. Perfumed creams are best avoided. For contact with irritating substances, she recommends plastic gloves with a cotton inner glove, and warm gloves in the cold.
Key advice
Wear warm gloves in cold, windy weather.
When cleaning or doing dirty work, use plastic gloves with a cotton pair inside.
Choose a fragrance-free hand cream with urea or petroleum jelly.
“Perfumed hand creams are best avoided, because those substances can cause additional irritation.” — Dr Griet Voet
Want to know more? Read about Allergies and eczema at Clinique Dermatologie Gent.