Stupid Complaint, Need Solution...

Updated on July 10, 2011
S.M. asks from Lakeside, CA
19 answers

This will sound dumb but I hope someone else goes through this. I like to write and I don't do it often anymore since I have a computer...real pens and paper. I love journaling. But my hands are bad enough that I use hand cream all the time. The oils on my skin make it impossible to write because the paper is always ruined by my touching it. Does anyone else have this problem? Is there a less greasy cream that doesn't ruin paper all the time?

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So What Happened?

I haven't. I'm willing to try anything.

Thanks for all the ideas. I'm definitely going to try the udderly stuff. :)

Featured Answers

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C.K.

answers from San Antonio on

I have a pair of fingerless gloves that I wear a lot when I need to be able to still feel and grip with my fingers. Those might work for writing since the paper will be protected but you can still feel to hold the pen.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.N.

answers from New York on

What has worked for me better than anything else I've tried is Gold Bond brand lotion. I put it on right after washing my hands, which seems to help it absorb better. In about 5 minutes there's no greasy feel.

1 mom found this helpful

More Answers

B.B.

answers from Spokane on

another option would be to get some thin cotton gloves to put over your hands after you apply the hand cream for better grip and to avoid ruining the paper. The gloves will also help the cream absorb better which may result in having to apply the lotion less often.

2 moms found this helpful
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C.N.

answers from Baton Rouge on

Have you tried shea butter?

1 mom found this helpful
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R.J.

answers from Seattle on

Body lotion in general is far less oily than hand lotion. It's what I end up using most of the time (lubriderm for general use, norweigan stuff for spot issues). Typically the lubriderm it soaks in in about 15 minutes and there's no residue at all (norweigan there's MAJOR residue for ages, but it's designed to, because it's designed for people whose hands are submerged & sprayed regularly, and also being blown on by harsh, cold winds).

Option 2: Do gloves ruin the sensory experience? Not wooly winter gloves, but goves like isotoners (hate 'em), smart wool with finger grips (love 'em). Both are the very thin and allow you to feel and grip. Here's the smartwool link https://www.smartwool.com/default.cfm?ovchn=GGL&ovcpn...

1 mom found this helpful
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K.B.

answers from Dallas on

i used to have dry hands that would be so bad the knuckles would crack and bleed. It was terrible. I tried countless lotions, gloves with vaseline, various oils and even prescription creams from a dermatologist....nothing worked. Finally, I started using Eucerin Plus Intensive Repair Hand Creme and my hands feel wonderful! Initially I had to use it throughout the day, but after a few weeks I started being able to just use it at bedtime. It's amazing stuff. If you only had to use lotion at bedtime your hands would be grease free to write during the day. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

Try some crafters gloves (fingerless gloves) where most of your hand is covered except for the finger tips.
Or you could just try rubber or latex gloves.

1 mom found this helpful
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R.K.

answers from Appleton on

What are you doing to make your hands so dry? Are you wearing rubber gloves while doing dishes and cleaning? Don't put your hands in water unless you are washing them, without ruber gloves.
That being said --- get some of those soft white gloves like ladies wore years ago. Put vaseline or bag balm (available at
walgreens --the big can will last 5-7 yrs) on your hands and put on the gloves, leave on over night, do this 2-3 times a week to start. This should start the softening process. Then just use a regular hand lotion several times a day. I would continue with the vaseline or bag balm at least once a week.

1 mom found this helpful

L.A.

answers from Austin on

Don't put on the lotion until you have finished writing.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.T.

answers from Detroit on

The best products I can offer you (by using them myself and totally believing in them) are Arbonne. One is their hand cream and the other is from the baby line and is the baby oil. The baby oil is what I used my entire pregnancy all over my body as it is a dry oil (not like the Johnson & Johnson which pretty much drips off your body :)!) and was they ONLY product that kept me moisturized without being and feeling greasy. I wrote all of my thank you cards for my shower with this on my hands (and body) without any problem at all. I don't know how they do it, but they do and it WORKS!!
Good luck to you!

1 mom found this helpful
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C.B.

answers from Boston on

Get a post card or index card and put it under your hand. As you write, keep it under your hand as your slide down the page. I do this when I want to keep my pages clean. My daughter does this since she cannot stand the feel of the notebook paper under her hand.
Oh, and there are these great pens and pencils that are wood. They absorb all your skin oil and you can keep a great grip. I got a set from a pen store ages ago, but I have seen similar pens at craft fairs.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Lotion is less greasy and thick than cream. But I agree with Laurie A. Just put lotion on when you're done.

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L.D.

answers from St. Louis on

I use extreme repair hand lotion, it is unscented, non greasy, and very moisturizing. Even guys like this, my husband included. It is from Beauti Control, and yes I do sell it, but that doesn't change the fact that it is an amazing product. You can look it up on my website www.beautipage.com/ldulaney
L. d

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L.A.

answers from Kansas City on

I love Aveeno. My hands get really dried and cracked and it's the only lotion i've found that isn't greasy or watery feeling.

K.M.

answers from Chicago on

I just found a wonderful new store called Lush (lush.com) and I LOVE their products ... you may want to see if there is a store in your area and talk to them. All the products are hand made and as close to vegan/vegitarian as they can get. I just started using a number of their products and the staff was VERY helpful.

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N.W.

answers from Eugene on

Aveeno skin relief lotion. Let it dry thoroughly, not greasy. But I still wipe the palms of my hands on a soft towel to remove excess moisture before working with paper that may discolor.

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K.D.

answers from St. Joseph on

I second Eucerin. Good luck!

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