How do you keep your hands in good shape?

[LilyBlue]

The soap and waterless hand sanitizer they provide at my workplace is not getting along so great with my hands. They are usually rough and sometimes even red from washing so much. I've never tried a soap that didn't do this, by the way.

I use Gold Bond Ultimate Healing lotion, and that seems to help a little. Moreso than anything else I've tried. But I'm interested in what others do. I hate the thought of there being lots of cracks (portals of entry for infection) in my hands. I keep short nails, etc, but my cuticles get really dry, too.

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

I also swear by bag balm / udder cream (the real stuff, from the feed store).

As an aside, If you want really strong nails get a product called Hoofmaker cream that is made for horse's hooves. I have horses and when I used this I always applied it with my bare left hand, as I am a lefty. I quickly noticed a HUGE difference between the nails on my left hand and those on my right, both in length and strength. It softens cuticles too. It comes in a plastic jar that will last you forever if you are using it for yourself - you could easily share it with several friends.