Your Winter Guide To Hand Care

Read on for some very handy tips and tricks.

For skincare, you double-cleanse, apply toner, and moisturize. It’s a routine you follow religiously—or at least try to—and take seriously. So then, why skip your hand care routine? 

As it’s getting colder and we’re diving into winter, the lack of moisture in the air will eventually leave us with dry skin and hands. And I’m also very sure that we’ve all been upping up our hand washing game in an attempt to fight against and help stop the spread of Covid-19. But with all that over-washing and applying hand sanitizer, our hands begin to suffer the consequences. We start to develop dry cracks in the skin—unfortunately defeating the point of staying safe from the virus as the dry cracks give bacteria an opportunity into our bodies. Not. Good. 

That’s why now is a good time more than ever to incorporate a hand care routine. It’s better to start now before things get really out of hand… 

Hand-washing technique

Would you believe that even the hand-washing technique is considered controversial? Some say 20 seconds while others say 15 seconds is more than enough. You might even hear people recommend that you sing the entire “happy birthday” song as a rough guideline when washing your hands. 

Of course, it’s no surprise to us that over-washing will lead to dry hands. So, the best thing to do in this situation? Wash your hands using a mild, fragrance-free soap, but sparingly without creating a thick lather. This will only wash away the natural oils. Water should be lukewarm (not hot!) and pat your hands dry with a clean towel. 

Hand Sanitizer

But of course. We may not always have quick access to soap and water. The best alternative would then be to use a hand sanitizer. Perfect for killing germs, not so great for dry skin. Hand sanitizers (especially ones with too much alcohol) can be very drying to chapped skin. 

Tepika Gel

That’s why a hand sanitizer with a moisturizing base, like the Tepika Gel, is your best bet. This hand sanitizer is popular for its fantastic sterilizing effect and only requires you to rub it into your hands. The gel formula is quickly absorbed into the skin and doesn’t leave that sticky feeling, no water or towels necessary!

Price: ¥1,100 (300ml)

Hand cream

Moving on. Hand cream is something everyone should be carrying around in their bag. It is said that creams are better than lotions, and it’s best to opt for fragrance-free hand creams to avoid further irritation. 

Locobase Repair Cream

When my hands are in a serious state and I’m desperate for something that will actually work (forget the scent, the cute packaging, and so on), the Locobase Repair Cream is my absolute go-to product. It’s preservative-free and hypoallergenic, perfect for sensitive skin. It should be mentioned that the consistency of the cream is pretty thick and can be difficult to rub into the skin. However, once applied, it’s almost waterproof meaning it’ll lock in the moisture for long hours. Trust me on this one. The cream does its job!

Price: ¥1,980 (30g)

Fiancée Hand Cream

If, however, you prefer a little fragrance and a cute packaging is important to you, I highly recommend the Fiancée hand cream by Ida Labo. The cream contains rich ceramide and shea butter—ingredients that will keep your hands soft. What I love about this hand cream in particular is the light, non-greasy texture. Available in Natural Savon, Pure Shampoo, and Natural Shampoo—all very clean and very fresh scents. 

Price: ¥550 (50g)

Hand Mask

Ebis Uruwoeet Moisture Hand Mask

Especially for all the beauty junkies out there, the next thing to consider is a moisturizing hand mask. I personally cannot get enough of the Ebis Uruwoeet Moisture Hand Mask. And it’s so simple to use! Put your hands in these Japan-made, glove-like masks for about 20 minutes. Remove and make sure to massage the excess essence on your hands. Done! This is great for that extra dose of hydration. 

Price: ¥2,200 (36 pieces)

Hand Gloves

Yuskin Handguard Gloves

If you want to take it even further, the last step would be to use hand gloves at nighttime. Before going to bed, apply a thick moisturizer. Then, put on gloves, like the Yuskin Handguard gloves, to ensure absorption. And now, your hand care routine is complete! 

Price: ¥349

And a final Savvy Tip!

Think about using a humidifier at night time. By increasing the humidity level in your room, this should help dry skin in general!