Dry Hands: A Simple Routine to Soften Rough Skin
Shop the brands in this guide: Round Lab Australia · All brands A to Z
The fastest way to fix dry hands is to wash with lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser, pat them dry, and apply a hand cream straight away, every time. Add an overnight treatment a couple of times a week and sunscreen on the backs of your hands during the day, and most people notice softer, more comfortable skin within a week or two.
Below we explain why hands dry out so easily, a simple routine you can stick to, and the Korean hand care we keep by the sink.
Why do hands get so dry?
The skin on the backs of your hands is thin and has fewer oil glands than your face, so it loses moisture quickly. On top of that, hands face more daily wear than almost any other part of the body.
Common causes include:
- Frequent handwashing and sanitiser, which strip natural oils
- Hot water, especially when washing dishes
- Cleaning products and detergents
- Air-conditioning and dry inland air, which pull moisture from skin
- Sun exposure, a big one in Australia, as the backs of hands get UV every time you drive or walk
- Swimming in chlorinated pools or the sea over summer
If your hands are cracked and bleeding, very itchy, have a rash or blisters, or aren't improving with regular moisturising, see your GP or a dermatologist, as this can be a sign of dermatitis or another skin condition.
A simple daily hand care routine
1. Wash gently
Use lukewarm water rather than hot, and a mild hand wash. Wash well, but there's no need to scrub. Wear gloves for dishes and cleaning if your hands are particularly dry.
2. Pat dry, then moisturise straight away
Pat, don't rub, with a clean towel and apply hand cream while skin is still very slightly damp. This is the single habit that makes the biggest difference. Keep a tube by every sink, in your bag and in the car so it's always within reach.
The Round Lab Birch Juice Hand Cream is made for dry or frequently washed hands. It combines birch sap juice for hydration with a triple hyaluronic acid and triple ceramide complex to help build a resilient moisture barrier. Keratin supports nail and cuticle strength, and shea butter adds richness. The butter-cream texture melts into skin and absorbs fairly quickly, leaving hands soft without a sticky or greasy feel, so you can use it at your desk without leaving marks on everything you touch.
3. Protect the backs of your hands from the sun
Hands are one of the most-missed spots when applying sunscreen, yet they get sun almost every day, especially on the steering wheel. Apply sunscreen to the backs of your hands in the morning and reapply after washing them when you're outdoors.
If you'd like to keep both steps simple, the Round Lab Birch Juice Moisture Care Duo pairs the Birch Juice Hand Cream (30ml) with the Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen (50ml), a lightweight, hydrating sunscreen that shields skin from UV while keeping it moisturised. It's a tidy pair for your handbag or car console.
Our guide to sunscreen spots you miss covers hands, ears and the other places that often get forgotten.
4. Give hands an intensive treatment once or twice a week
When hands are very rough or tight, a weekly treatment gives them a bigger dose of moisture than daily cream alone.
The Petitfee Dry Essence Hand Pack is a glove-type hand mask infused with a solid dry essence that melts with body heat. It contains shea butter, urea and olive oil to restore softness, improve elasticity and strengthen the skin barrier, and it's designed for dry, rough, chapped or tired hands. Because it's a glove, it's mess-free: slip it on, relax, then massage in any leftover essence.
No hand mask on hand? A thick layer of hand cream at bedtime under a pair of cotton gloves is a simple alternative.
What to look for in a hand cream
- Ceramides to support the skin's moisture barrier
- Humectants such as hyaluronic acid or glycerin to draw in water
- Emollients such as shea butter or plant oils to soften and seal in moisture
- Urea for very rough patches, as it helps soften skin
- A texture you'll actually reapply. A cream that absorbs quickly gets used far more often than one that leaves you greasy.
If your hands sting when you apply a product, rinse it off and switch to something simpler.
Don't forget your nails and cuticles
Dry hands often come with ragged cuticles and peeling nails. Massage hand cream into your cuticles and around your nails each time you apply it, avoid picking at hangnails, and give nails a break from polish and remover now and then.
A sample week
- Every hand wash: lukewarm water, gentle wash, pat dry, hand cream.
- Every morning: sunscreen on the backs of hands.
- Before bed: a generous layer of hand cream, massaged into cuticles.
- Once or twice a week: a hand mask or cream under cotton gloves overnight.
Browse more in our body care collection and the full Round Lab range. If your face is feeling dry too, our guide to the best Korean ceramide creams for barrier repair is a good place to start.
FAQ
How often should I apply hand cream?
After every hand wash is ideal, plus once before bed. If your hands are very dry, more often is fine; keep a tube nearby so it becomes a habit.
Why are my hands still dry even though I use hand cream?
Common reasons are hot water, harsh soaps, not reapplying after washing, or using a product that's too light. Try a richer cream, apply it on slightly damp skin, and add an overnight treatment. If nothing helps, see your GP or a dermatologist.
Do I really need sunscreen on my hands?
Yes. The backs of your hands get regular sun, especially when driving, and they're easy to miss. Apply sunscreen each morning and reapply after washing your hands when you're outdoors.
How long should I leave a hand mask on?
Follow the directions on the pack. Afterwards, massage any remaining essence into your hands and cuticles rather than rinsing it off.