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1Choosing Your Products
2Moisturizing Your Hands
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Article Summary
Co-authored byR. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPH
Last Updated: July 22, 2024Approved
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Not only are dry, flaky hands uncomfortable, they don't look good and aren't comfortable for holding or shaking. Beat your dead skin with the no-fail overnight moisturizing method, using an exfoliant, moisturizer, and gloves. Read on at Step One for instructions on getting super soft skin overnight.
Part 1
Part 1 of 2:
Choosing Your Products
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1
Select a moisturizer. Super soft hands don’t come without the right products; any old moisturizer won’t do, if you want the silkiest skin. Find a moisturizing cream that is specifically advertised for use on hands. Hand creams are typically much thicker than a regular lotion, and have more nutrients needed for softening rough hands (which tend to be the driest part of your body). If your moisturizer is runny or thin, it probably won’t do the job you need to get super soft hands.[1]
2
Choose a good exfoliant. Exfoliants are used to scrub off the dead skin on your hands, both before and after moisturizing. The reason your hands feel rough to begin with, is because of the dead skin that is present. You can scrub this off, and then the fresh skin underneath is exposed. Exfoliants can be store-bought, or you can create your own. Try one of the following homemade recipes:[2]
- Sugar and olive oil, mixed into a paste
- Ground oatmeal and milk, mixed into a paste
- Coffee grounds and coconut oil, mixed into a paste
- Baking soda and water, mixed into a paste[3]
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3
Find a pair of cotton gloves. Using the overnight method for soft hands involves a set of gloves or mittens to seal in moisture.[4] There are some specialty spa gloves available for getting soft hands overnight; these have a permanent gel that lines the gloves, that helps to lock moisture into your hands. Otherwise, any pair of knit or cotton gloves or mittens will work.
- If you don’t have any gloves, you can always use a clean pair of socks.
- If you have exfoliator gloves, made from a rough loofah-like material, you can wear those as well.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 2:
Moisturizing Your Hands
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1
Exfoliate your hands. Go to the sink and run warm water; wet your hands completely, washing them if necessary.Take your exfoliant, and scoop about 1 tablespoon (15ml) of it out into your hands. Rub this thoroughly over each of your hands for 3-5 minutes. When you’re finished scrubbing, turn the water back on and rinse your hands off. Dry your hands completely.[5]
2
Add your moisturizer. Put a dab of cream about the size of a quarter onto each hand; it may seem like a lot, but it will soak into your skin overnight. Massage the cream into each of your hands, spending time on the palms, between your fingers, and around your cuticles. Feel free to carry the moisturizer up your arms slightly, to soften the skin around your wrists as well. Don’t worry if your hands feel greasy or you think you have too much.[6]
3
Put on your gloves. The concept behind the gloves (or mittens, or socks) is that they will trap the moisture inside, forcing the cream to soak into your skin. This will prevent it from rubbing off in your sleep, onto your bedding or clothes.[7]
4
Go to bed. Leave your gloves on overnight while you sleep, being careful not to pull them off while you slumber. If you’d rather, you can wear them during the day for the same results as long as they remain on your hands for at least 6 hours.[8]
5
Finish softening your hands. In the morning, remove your gloves; you should be left with super soft hands! You have the option of adding a bit more moisturizer at this point, and dabbing on some cuticle oil around your nail beds. This will soften everything up, and leave your hands silky and soft. Repeat this entire process 1-2 times a week for hands that are always their very softest.
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Community Q&A
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Question
Can I use cooking oil?
Community Answer
No. The oil suggested is preferred for better results and softer/less irritated skin.
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Question
Does olive oil and sugar with honey make my hands soft?
Community Answer
Yes it does. Olive oil and sugar makes a scrub that makes your hands soft. You don't even need to add honey.
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Question
What kind of olive oil should I use for my hands?
Community Answer
Any kind should work. Once you find one that you like, use it.
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Tips
This method can also be done to dry, cracked feet!
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Get good quality cotton gloves/socks for your comfort. Take care that they fit properly so as not to cut off your circulation during the night.
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Wash the gloves/socks between uses.
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Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- A key to maintaining soft hands is to always keep a small hand lotion with you so that you can reapply it throughout the day.
- I put Vaseline on my hands before putting on the gloves. It really helps!
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Things You'll Need
- Cotton gloves
- Moisturizing lotion (heavy for night wear)
- sink
- Exfoliant
- Cuticle oil
- Orange stick
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References
- ↑ https://www.livestrong.com/article/148774-the-best-lotions-for-extremely-dry-skin/
- ↑ https://www.livestrong.com/article/165165-how-to-get-smooth-soft-hands-feet/
- ↑ http://www.sheknows.com/living/articles/956905/how-to-make-your-own-exfoliating-scrub
- ↑ R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPH. Board Certified Dermatologist. Expert Interview. 14 May 2021.
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPxIMZB9L7w
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPxIMZB9L7w
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPxIMZB9L7w
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPxIMZB9L7w
About This Article
Co-authored by:
R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPH
Board Certified Dermatologist
This article was co-authored by R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPH. Dr. R. Sonia Batra is a board certified Dermatologist and the Founder of Batra Dermatology based in Los Angeles, California. With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Batra specializes in lasers, medical devices, patient and public medical education, and skin cancer research. She received her Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree in Public Health, and her Doctor of Medicine (MD) degrees from Harvard University. As a Rhodes Scholar, she earned a Master’s degree in Molecular Genetics at the University of Oxford. She completed her residency training in Dermatology at Stanford University. Dr. Batra has contributed and reviewed for the Journal of Dermatologic Surgery, the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, and JAMA Dermatology. She is also a co-host of CBS’ Emmy award-winning television show, The Doctors. This article has been viewed 950,352 times.
7 votes - 83%
Co-authors: 28
Updated: July 22, 2024
Views:950,352
Categories: Dry Skin Care
Article SummaryX
To get super soft hands overnight, first rub an exfoliant over your hands, to remove any rough, dry skin. After 5 minutes of exfoliating, rinse your hands with clean water. Next, rub a quarter size-dollop of thick hand cream onto each hand, making sure to get between your fingers and around your cuticles. Once the lotion covers your hands, put on a pair of knit gloves to keep the moisture in. Leave the gloves on overnight, then repeat the treatment once a week. For tips on choosing the best moisturizer and exfoliant, read on!
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