We focus a lot on our faces, yet hands have very unique care needs too… and never more so than in the winter months.
“The skin on our hands is far thinner than elsewhere on the body. It’s much more exposed to the elements and in almost constant use. This is why, in the coldest months of the year, reports of dryness, irritation, cracks and fissures rise sharply. A little daily diligence will stop all this.” — Dr Mazin, our Founder
Winter is hard on hands. Cold outdoor air, low humidity, indoor heat, seasonal viruses and itchy fabrics create the perfect storm for skin barrier damage and rapid moisture loss — so it’s no surprise hands quickly become rough, sore and inflamed.
Worry not — the right care will recover hand health and comfort, and fast. Here, Dr Mazin, our Dermatologist Founder, shares his four essential winter handcare habits for calm, comfortable, resilient skin all season.
1. Turn down the temperature
Hot water feels so good on chilly hands, yet it's one of the fastest ways to dry them out further. Too-hot water depletes protective lipids and oils in the stratum corneum (skin’s outermost layer), leaving hands tight, irritated and more vulnerable than before. If you’re prone to hand eczema or dermatitis, you may notice flare-ups worsening too. Lukewarm water is far kinder — a small switch with a big difference.
2. Go soap and SLS free
What you wash hands with matters just as much as the temperature you wash them in. Soaps and SLS-based cleansers are known to irritate compromised skin and weaken the barrier further. Choose a plant-based cleanser to preserve natural oils, protect the barrier and ensure your hand cream doesn’t have even more work to do.
If hands are especially reactive, keep your cleanser fragrance-free too. Pop a bottle of Soothing Bath & Shower Oil by the sink, or decant some into a hand wash dispenser for super-soothed, soft skin every time you clean.
3. Moisturise — immediately and intelligently
Apply hand cream as soon as hands are washed and dry… then reapply throughout the day. Because hands are so exposed, winter’s harsh conditions pull moisture from them rapidly, intensifying dryness, cracking, redness and itching. Regular moisturising keeps the skin barrier nourished and protected, preventing more moisture loss and inflammation.
Choosing the right hand cream makes all the difference:
Dry, tight skin | Rose Otto Hand Cream
Our rich, 99% natural and fast-absorbing blend of Bai He, Shea Butter and Rose Otto deeply nourishes, replenishes lost lipids, soothes redness and strengthens the skin barrier, leaving hands silky-soft, calm and supple.
Very dry, rough, callused hands | Nourishing Hand & Foot Cream
Our award-winning, 98% natural cream is magic for super-dry, callused hands. Its concentrated complex harnesses botanical Alpha Hydroxy Acids (from blueberries, sugarcane, oranges, lemons and sugar maple), Aloe Vera, Bisabolol, Liquorice Root and Urea to soothe sore, cracked areas and restore smoother, softer skin.
Cracks, fissures & hand eczema | Soothing Fingertip Ointment
Our 100% natural, ultra-concentrated ointment is a game-changer for severely compromised skin. Independent trials* of its blend of Beeswax, Shea Butter and Bai Ji showed that it:
- Instantly soothed skin for 88%
- Reduced cracks and fissures for 86%
- Left skin smoother, more nourished and comfortable
Tip: Occlude very sore areas to maximise absorption. Once absorbed, remove the wrap and apply Rose Otto Hand Cream as an extra calming layer. Both formulas appear in our Soothing Fingertip Set with a £7 saving.
4. Cover up
Cold wind causes significant stress to hands (windburn doesn't only affect faces), so gloves are essential — just be mindful of the material. Coarse wool and synthetic fibres can aggravate sensitive skin, increasing itching and irritation. Choose gloves with a cotton or satin lining to reduce friction and protect hands from the cold.
Need more help?
If winter has worsened skin stress elsewhere on your face or body, find more expert advice from Mazin in our dedicated blog. Or, if you’d like personalised guidance on caring for skin conditions on your hands, our Customer Services team is always happy to help.
* Independent Eczema trials 2025: Results based on a 51-person study using Soothing Fingertip Ointment 2–3 times daily or overnight for 12 weeks.
