You ask, we answer! Today’s Featured Question was sent to us via Facebook; if you have a question regarding skin care, beauty, dry skin, or skin care conditions, please leave us a comment here or Like us and ask on our Facebook page!

Today’s question is one I’m sure we can all relate to at one time or another. Jennifer N. contacted us on Facebook to ask, “My hands are stupid. Every time I wash my hands, I immediately have to apply lotion or get they dry enough I can’t move them without pain. As a mom this is just insane as I wash my hands so much!! Any solutions?”

I feel your pain, Jennifer! I’m also a mom, and sometimes the dry skin on my hands is distracting enough that I have trouble falling asleep or accomplishing simple tasks. Thankfully, we can combat dry hands with just a few simple steps!

First off, let’s look at why hand washing can cause dry hands. When washing their hands, most people opt to use a soap and warm or even hot water. This is a terrible combination! You see, soaps and hot water can both strip the skin of its lipid layer, which is responsible for keeping the skin moisturized.

Harsh soaps like sodium lauryl/laureth sulfated (often referred to as SLS) strip away the skin’s protective oils, leaving the skin vulnerable to dryness, cracking and discomfort. Even if you purchase a hand soap that claims to be gentle or “made with natural ingredients”, it may still contain SLS. Next time you’re at the store, take a look at your hand soap options; you’ll find that most, if not all, contain this harsh ingredient.

In addition to strong cleansing agents, many soaps also contain anti-bacterial actions. While an anti-bacterial hand soap can go a long way toward preventing illness, it can also do a number on your skin, especially when combined with hot water and stripping cleansers.

Hot water likewise strips away the protective lipid layer while simultaneously causing the blood vessels below the skin’s surface to dilate, which encourages blood flow and fluid loss. You can see how this worsens the problem! The combo of hot water and soap leaves the hands feeling completely stripped.

This issue is worse in winter when harsh weather contributes to the problem, but it can be experienced year-round, especially by those who already suffer from dry, sensitive skin. But, fear not! There is an answer.

The first step is obvious; wash hands only in cold water, or tepid at its warmest. This will prevent the stripping of your lipid layer while also preventing fluid loss. Secondly, choose a natural hand soap that’s free of SLS and other harsh cleansers. There are great hand soaps out there that use coconut cleansers, castile soap, and similar alternatives to SLS!

If you’re still feeling dry after washing your hands, turn to our Moisturizing Hand Treatment. Luxurious yet lightweight, this excellent hand moisturizer contains our patented MLE, an ingredient which actually restores the lipid layer! That means that if your lipid layer is compromised by hand washing, our hand cream will actually replenish and support it, restoring comfort and balance to the hands.

If you’ve never tried our hand lotion, you’re really missing out. It is by far and away the best hand lotion around; plus, it provides exceptional anti-aging skin care actions!

Even if you don’t suffer from dry skin or sensitive skin, our Moisturizing Hand Treatment is the perfect choice for keeping your hands looking and feeling their best.