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One suggestion i have is that after washing your hands, rub lotion on while your hands are still wet, THEN dry them off. This helps a lot.
I'm fond of Vaseline's Water Resistant lotion for my hands. It works well, and i can still turn a doorknob after putting it on.
I would avoid the heavy scented lotions (i.e. Bath and Body Works). The perfumes can aggravate (and sting) dry cracked hands.
As far as soaps go, I have had the best results from ones without Lauryl or Laureth Sulfates. It can be somewhat tricky to locate these, but I've found a good selection of several brands and scents in health food stores. Also, more and more stores have "natural" or "organic" sections, where I've been able to locate soaps. In these same sections, there is usually a selection of lotions.
Some of these products are little more expensive, but I've found I need a lot less of the products, so I don't think in the long run cost is an issue. Besides, not having to worry about non-intact skin on my hands or having discomfort/ itchiness makes it worth it for me.
I'm very senitive to soaps....and detergents and fragrances..you name it...so my dermatologist told me to use Cetaphil cleansing bar and lotion....the lotion is not as thick....it moisturizes your skin and does not make you feel like it was vasaline you put on...but the bar is real good...it washes well and does not make my skin dry...it has no detergents in it....so I can usually wash all I want without gettting too cracked or dry.....so I've been using these so far and my skin looks great...actually it has not been this smooth in years.....I love it now. I'm sure that my mom will be happy to know when she analyze hands...as she always does b/c she's always concern for my allergic messed up skin reactions...and she's gonna say...oh,wow..what did you do?...I have not been able to clearly see my finger prints in a long time..but these products have made it possible...not too expensive also.
okay. i'm usually a bit hesitant to reccs this or that - but this is what i have found that works well for me.
soap:
* i use arbonne abc baby hair & body wash in a pump dispenser to wash my hands with - i dilute it by about a fourth with distilled water - i also keep it in a small squirt bottle for on the go cleansing.
* i also use cetaphil lotion cleanser on my hands, too.
lotion/moisture
* i also use the arbonne awaken sea salt scrub on my hands every day or two before bed or in the am before work, rub briskly and rinse. leaves a pleasant scent with lots of essential oils to soften. (kinda like preventing dry skin.)
i use the arbonne basic (green and tan tube) hand cream throughout the day. no greasy residue (really!). no scent. even the guys i work with love it - they will even ask if i have it with me :)! hands down: the best hand cream ever!
i also use the bobbi brown extra rinse off balm - not made just for hands, but works wonders on them! rub it in and rinse with cool water!
good luck!
mommy2boys
161 Posts
What is the best hand lotion for dry & cracked hands? And does any one have a good hand soap that doesn't dry out your hands?
With all the bugs out there and it starting to be cold and flu season, I can't help washing my hands all the time. (It could be a little OCD;) ). With all the classes I'm taking talking about all the bugs that could kill me and having 2 kids at home that seem to bring everything home, I'm a little crazy about washing my hands. SO if anyone has any suggestions on a great lotion please let me know.
TIA
ERin