If you’re worried about your hands being greasy, look for a hand cream that’s designed to be fast-absorbing. It will sink into your skin quickly without leaving any residue behind that might may your hands feel slippery. Thick emollient creams can help you avoid dryness or roughness on your hands. [2] X Expert Source Lydia Shedlofsky, DODermatologist Expert Interview. 30 September 2020. The skin on men’s hands tends to be thicker, oilier, and hairier, so you may want to purchase a cream designed specifically for male skin. It usually has a richer texture, and doesn’t contain any fragrance.

You can also purchase a cream specifically for the cuticles that can help moisturize and protect the area. Both men and women should take the time to moisturize their nails and cuticles. Whether or not you get regular manicures, neglecting your cuticles can lead to painful hangnails.

If you don’t have a specific ointment for your hands, petroleum jelly works just as well.

You can purchase hand masks at drugstores, beauty supply stores, and other stores that specialize in skincare products. You can also make a moisturizing hand mask at home with leftover avocado. Mix ½ an avocado with 1 egg white, and apply it to your hands. Allow it to sit on your skin for 20 minutes before rinsing it off.

When you wash your hands, avoid using hot water, which can also dry out your skin. Wash with lukewarm water instead. Fragrance-free soaps are gentler on your skin. [6] X Expert Source Lydia Shedlofsky, DODermatologist Expert Interview. 30 September 2020. It’s important to wash your hands regularly to prevent the spread of contagious disease. You should at least wash your hands before you eat and after you use the bathroom. However, too much hand washing can irritate your skin. [7] X Expert Source Lydia Shedlofsky, DODermatologist Expert Interview. 30 September 2020. [8] X Research source

When you use the brush, hold it in a downward direction so it’s perpendicular to your nails. Move it along the entire nail, scrubbing back and forth to remove the dirt and debris. After scrubbing your nails, rinse away the soap, water, and dirt as you normally would.

It’s also a good idea to use a cuticle remover and cuticle pusher to keep your cuticles neat. The cuticle is the thin hand of skin around your nail. The remover softens the skin, so you can easily push it back with a metal cuticle pusher or a wooden orange stick. Never cut your cuticles – the skin may get infected.

Wash your hands with the moisturizing soap before exfoliating. You can purchase hand scrubs at the drugstore, beauty supply store, and other stores that sell bath products. If you prefer, you can mix up your own all-natural hand scrub with ingredients from your kitchen. Combine equal parts of sugar and olive oil, and use it to scrub the dead skin from your hands.

Be sure to reapply your sunscreen throughout the day, particularly after you’ve washed your hands. If you want to streamline your skin care routine, use a hand cream that has SPF of 30 or higher built into it.

For chores that require submerging your hands in water, plastic or rubber gloves are the best option. For light yard work and gardening, cloth gloves are usually effective in protecting your hands from dirty and grime. For difficult manual labor, such as working with heavy tools, suede or leather work gloves usually offer the most protection for your hands. You should also wear gloves to protect your hands from cold weather, which can dry out your hands too. Knit and leather gloves can both work well, but look for a pair with an insulated lining in material such as fleece to provide the most warmth.

Retinol products make your skin more vulnerable to irritation from the sun, so be sure to use sunscreen in conjunction with your retinol cream and apply the cream only at night.