Alcohol-based hand sanitiser, frequent handwashing, cold weather… Several factors influence the hydration and condition of the hands. In winter, but not only then, it is not uncommon to end up with dry or severely damaged hands. What can be done in this situation? Discover a few tips to regain soft, supple hands.
How to treat very dry and damaged hands?
Summary
Published on November 5, 2021, updated on February 10, 2026, by Stéphanie, PhD, Doctorate in Life and Health Sciences — 6 min of reading
Themes:
How to recognise dry-to-damaged hands?
Very dry hands indicate a disruption of the skin barrier, which limits water loss and protects the skin from external aggressors.
When the skin barrier is weakened, particularly when the hands have been damaged by frequent washing, exposure to cold or repeated use of detergents, the skin becomes more vulnerable and progressively loses its suppleness and comfort. Clinically, several signs can identify hands ranging from dry to damaged. Some redness may appear after prolonged contact with hot water or irritating substances, indicating superficial inflammation. The skin may also exhibit scales, corresponding to the visible shedding of fine flakes from the stratum corneum due to established dryness. These signs are often accompanied by itching and a tight, pulling sensation. In more severe forms, the skin of the fingers that split can reveal a crevasse at the finger level, sometimes painful and sensitive. If the hands are not restored, pronounced fissures and chapping may then develop. At this stage, it is essential to treat chapped hands and adopt a regimen specifically for severely damaged hands.
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How can damage to the hands be prevented?
Damaged hands result from a combination of factors, which it is helpful to understand in order to know how to manage dry hands on a daily basis. The first measure is to limit avoidable irritants. The use of water that is too hot intensifies skin dehydration by dissolving the protective lipids of the stratum corneum. Opting for lukewarm water and gentle cleansers, such as a superfatted soap or a dermatological cleansing bar, helps preserve the hydrolipidic film and reduce the risk of damaged hands caused by frequent washing. After each wash, careful drying without excessive rubbing also contributes to maintaining the integrity of the skin barrier.
The mechanical protection also plays an essential role. Wearing gloves in winter limits the drying effect of cold and wind, while using them for household chores, gardening or DIY reduces contact with irritant substances. These simple actions help to prevent the appearance of chapped hands and are the first step before even seeking a remedy for chapped hands or considering using a cream against hand cracks.
Recommendations for repairing damaged or severely dry hands.
When the skin barrier is impaired, treating very dry hands relies primarily on a twofold approach: to hydrate in order to increase the water content of the stratum corneum and to nourish to restore the protective lipids. Simple measures can already help to limit further deterioration: donning gloves during household chores to prevent redness caused by irritants, applying a nourishing balm after each wash and opting for a richer moisturiser in the evening, an ideal time for skin regeneration. This routine provides an essential foundation for repairing damaged hands and is often the first remedy against everyday chapped hands.
Additionally, the regular use of emollients containing, for example, urea or dexpanthenol has demonstrated a significant improvement in hydration and barrier function, with a reduction in fissuring. A randomised study in 40 adults with very dry, sensitive hands assessed a dexpanthenol-containing cream applied over four weeks. Instrumental measures revealed a significant increase in stratum corneum hydration (by nearly 81%) as well as a decrease in transepidermal water loss, indicative of barrier restoration. Dryness symptoms concurrently decreased, and both tolerability and user satisfaction were high. The images below also confirm the efficacy of this protocol.
Before and after treatment, or lack thereof, of dry hands with a dexpanthenol-based cream.
Source: TRAPP S. & al. Performance and acceptability of a new dexpanthenol-containing hand cream in subjects with sensitive and very dry skin: A randomized controlled study. Cosmetics (2022).
Tip: In situations where a deep crack appears, applying a dressing to the finger crevasse can help protect the lesion and promote skin repair by maintaining a moist environment conducive to healing.
Note : If dryness is accompanied by persistent redness, itching or oozing lesions, it may be a hand eczema rather than simple xerosis. In this case, seeking medical advice is recommended: a general practitioner or a dermatologist can confirm the diagnosis and, if necessary, prescribe topical corticosteroids in addition to moisturising care to control inflammation and promote skin repair.
Sources
GIP L. & al. Urea creams in the treatment of dry skin and hand dermatitis. International Journal of Dermatology (1975).
AGNER T. & al. Hand eczema: Treatment. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (2019).
TRAPP S. & al. Performance and acceptability of a new dexpanthenol-containing hand cream in subjects with sensitive and very dry skin: A randomized controlled study. Cosmetics (2022).
MOLIN S. & al. A review of existing and new treatments for the management of hand eczema. Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery (2023).
