Dry Hands and Cuticles

Updated on September 05, 2009
M.M. asks from Ballwin, MO
35 answers

Does anyone have any inexpensive suggestions on products that will help dry hands and cuticles? My hands, cuticles and even fingertips are so dry this time of year! Thanks!

2 moms found this helpful

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B.R.

answers from Kansas City on

Before I go to bed, I put a thin layer of Vasaline on my hands and rub it in as best as I can. A couple of nights of that and it feels like spring. Oh, and use gloves hwen you wash the dishes. That helps me out a ton! My hands crack and bleed in the winter, and this seems to help the best.

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C.E.

answers from Lawrence on

Restoration Hardware in Town Center carries this (IMHO) miracle in a jar called "no crack". I do hair and suffer from exema on my hands and this is the only thing I have found in 37 years that works! (and it's less than $10 for a pot that lasts FOREVER!) Good luck!

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A.A.

answers from St. Louis on

I absolutely love the M. Kay Satin Hand. I have tried everything over the counter and nothing seems to work the best for me and my dry skin the most than the Satin Hands. It is about $30 for the whole set, but if you just want to use the lotion it runs about $8. If you don't have a M. Kay consultant I know a great one. Or if you want more information on M. Kay products you can go to www.marykay.com/audreyancell

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E.M.

answers from St. Louis on

creamy vaseline. you can use this any time day or night with no greasy feeling. it is total magic!

1 mom found this helpful
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E.S.

answers from St. Louis on

You can mix baby oil and white sugar together. The sugar sloughs off the dead skin, and the baby oil moisturizes. One of my daughters nurses at the hospital always has the softest hands and when I asked her how, this is what she told me. You can just mix some up, keep it by your sink, and use it after you wash your hands. Just rinse the baby oil off and pat dry!!! It works great...and its cheap!

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A.B.

answers from Kansas City on

nothing is perfect, but my son has terrible eczema, so the most important thing is to keep his skin moisturized. Vaseline is recommended because it is so cheap, but so is aquaphor (MUCH more expensive).

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D.H.

answers from Joplin on

M. ~
You should try a manicure with a parraffin dip. Cuticle oil at BEDTIME rubbed into your cuticles.(you are not washing your hands while your sleeping so it absorbs into your cuticle to promote healing.) I recommend Solar Oil by CND. It's priced reasonably. Depending on where you live paraffin dips and manicures aren't to expensive either and it could be a day for you to relax! Hope this helps ya!
D.

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K.F.

answers from Columbia on

I have the same problem! Aquaphor is one of the best products I've used; it's highly recommended by dermatologists. Also, vaseline is great and cheaper. Use it first thing in morning and before bed.

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L.Y.

answers from Springfield on

I like Jordan Essentials made in Nixa MO. Used to be called Country Bunny. I can get you my consultant's name and # if you are interested. Their products last a long tie. Hands stay soft even after several hand washings.

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K.B.

answers from Springfield on

St Ives vitamin E Lotion it is wonderful and not all that much either and you can get it at Wal-Mart.
Or if you buy Avon get a tube of Silicone Glove it is in a blue and white tube. And it has been a long times since I bought it I am not even sure that they still have it but either one is wonderful.
Anything else I use turns my hands really red makes them burn and these don't
Good Luck...
K.

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R.G.

answers from Kansas City on

Warm lotion. Put lotion in the microwave for a few seconds. Make sure it is a waxy brand like jergens. Place finger tips in the warm/hot lotion. Put a good coat on each finger and let dry. Then rub into hands. Message around cuticles. Use and orange stick(wooden stick @ walgreens) w/cotton swirled on the end to push your cuticles back.
You can also take it up a step and do the whole hand and plastic bag them. (but that calls for alot of lotion)
To get dead skin off sea salt and olive oil and scrub.
Have fun:)

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A.R.

answers from Springfield on

When my best friend worked in the ER they had a cure-all called "C" Cream. It was just Crisco!

Has to be real all vegitable Crisco...the cheaper knock offs sometimes have lard in them, so be careful!

soak your hands for a few minutes in warm water, barely pat them dry, massage in Crisco and cover your hands with gloves or socks and sleep!

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D.R.

answers from St. Louis on

Last winter was the first year I really had to deal with REALLY dry skin. I used Curel, and it was the only thing that didn't burn when I put it on... even Cetaphil burned (crazy, I know).

My mom's hands and feet get so dry in the winter that they crack... every year. She uses Zimm's Crack Cream. Despite the funny name, it works wonders on cracked skin like on your knuckles, cuticles, and the bottoms of your feet.

I hope you find something that works!

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T.B.

answers from St. Louis on

Hi my name is T. Billington and I am a rep for BeautiControl. I have a mobile spa business. I have the same spa treatments and anti-aging products that you can get at your local spas for 1/3 of the cost. I know that you do not know me and you get bombarded with all of the other direct sales companies but I want to show you that I am different! I could help you a few ways one is I GUARANTEE ALL of my products if it does not work the way I tell you it should you get your money back from me no questions just good business, second I will send you free samples so you can try it before you would ever buy anything, third I promise that you will get the best service possible I own this business and this is how I support my family. You have nothing to lose also we have skin care that is comparable to high end department store. I can also set up appointments to do consultations for skin care, anti-aging, spa, and makeovers.

We have a whole line of at home Hand Manicure treatments.

Age Defying Hand Treatment
Instant Manicure
Cuticle Buffing Creme
Cuticle Salve
Paraffin Hand Treatment
Overnight Hand Treatment
Age Spot Treatment
Cuticle Oil Pen

If you would like to try any let me know samples are always free!

I would love to help!

www.beautipage.com/tbillington2spa
T. Billington
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A.P.

answers from St. Louis on

Good Morning M.

I have had many clients use the Arbonne Basic Hand Cream and they love it! They tell me it is soothing and not greasy. I have one here at my home for $6 that you can buy! It is normally $14 but I get that item for $6 every now and then. I can ship it to you too!

A. P

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K.S.

answers from Kansas City on

M. -

I don't know if anyone has mentioned this or not yet, but you should try M. Kay Hand Cream. It's from the Satin Hands line. It is the best thing that I have found. I happen to be a M. Kay Beauty Consultant, so if you need some, let me know. It is only $8 and I can get it to you the same day you order it. It will last you a very very long time. It is thick, but asorbs well. You can go to my website to check it out if you like: www.marykay.com/kristik. You can also PM me to get my phone number if you need.

Hope that helps,
K.

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A.S.

answers from St. Louis on

I have the same problem. This time of year my knuckles crack and bleed. It hurts! A few weeks ago I tried a new product that works so well I'm amazed. It's new Vasaline Clinical Strength lotion. I'm telling everyone how great it is! My hands are so soft and no cracking! Apparently is is prescription strength and now you can get it at Wal-Mart, Target, and places like that. Try it, I bet you'll be shocked, too.

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P.H.

answers from Wichita on

The M. Kay hand product line is wonderful, but if you don't want to spend that kind of money, I have found that applying a good shea butter based lotion/cream , or Eucerine daily works as well. Depending on how bad your hands get, you could also at night apply it GENEROUSLY, don't even work it in, and then put on lightweight cotton garden gloves over the lotion. (the gloves can be washed when they get totally saturated.)
I work with mail 6 days a week, and am out in the weather. My hands will crack and bleed if I don't do this. It really is amazing how much it keeps my hands from having all the painful hangnails and cracked cuticles.

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C.K.

answers from St. Louis on

Hi, I used to have dryness, splitting, and cracking all the time. I tried just about everything, and nothing worked completely, until I got rid of the cause of the problem.

I quit touching anything with rubbing alchohol in it which is a huge culprit. I got rid of all chemical cleaners, etc and only use vinegar and baking soda to clean.

I use lotions that are all natural and paraben-free. I haven't had any dryness, splitting or cracking in years.

Hope it helps, good luck.

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M.G.

answers from Kansas City on

I love Aquaphor Healing Ointment by Eucerin. I use it on my hands and even my lips! Good Luck!

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S.H.

answers from St. Louis on

vaseline, as the other Moms suggested, is GREAT! If you don't have gloves, old socks will also work.

I also use a beeswax product designed for hands & cuticles. It's made by the Savannah Bee Co, & can be purchased at Bath & Body stores. It works great & smells fantastic.

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C.P.

answers from Springfield on

The little white tube of that Norwegian Hand cream! I use it for everything. Little chapped cheeks, hands, lips, elbows, anywhere that is dry! Or Gold Bond Medicated! Just keep that one away from the little ones. And my new favorite is the Vaseline Clinical Strength! It is fantastic! And for your cuticles, I have been rubbing plain old Vaseline on them for years and have never had any problems. It makes your nails shiny too!

C.B.

answers from Kansas City on

you might try some inexpensive cuticle oil from walmart, if you put it on at night it works better, but try to do it every night for best results. i'd also try plain old vaseline, just like the cuticle oil, at night. i work in a place where i have to wash my hands very often, sometimes twice an hour, and i put lotion on them after every wash. it helps a lot. personally i use victoria secret strawberries and champagne, but that's just because i love the scent!

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M.G.

answers from Kansas City on

Bert's Bees (It may be spelled Burt's Bees) has a fabulous cuticle cream that evem smells good! I put it on when I watch TV at night and within a day or 2, my cuticles are all better (mine get really raggd and sometimes bleed)

Not sure about their hand cream, but I know Cetaphil is good. I put it on my kids after baths and it doesn't sting if they have a scratch.

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T.W.

answers from Kansas City on

If you have insurance to help cover the costs, you could get a prescription for some cream for dry skin from your doctor.

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J.B.

answers from Kansas City on

I am having the same problems. I can tell you what didn't work: Perfumy lotion, it was all I had and made it worse. I used petrolium lotion and it didn't obsorb well at all so most of it got wiped off. I have gotten in the habit of picking at them also because I don't like the feeling. What seems to be working, although slowly is: Neosporen or a triple antibiotic. Eucerin, This stuff is more expensive but alot goes a long way. A 16 oz. tub is about ten bucks but Wal-Mart has an off brand for 5 and it will last forever, you just need a little. I am applying it many times a day. I am using this now because this when my daughter had got a burn this is what Children's Mercy had her use.

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R.M.

answers from Topeka on

If you dont mind sleeping with gloves on....put a nice healthy coating of vaseline on your hands...paying particular attention to the cuticle area...then put a pair of 100% cotton gloves on(you should be able to find them in most grocery stores or pharmacy's...I know we can special order them at the pharmacy I work at) and just let the vaseline work it's magic while you sleep. After you get the cuticles softened up I would consider getting one of those cuticle tools ( sorry can't think of the proper name..it is a wooden stick with a flattened, angeled end) and push your cuticles back so they aren't so exposed to the air and dont have such a chance to dry out.
Good luck!!

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A.R.

answers from Kansas City on

I rub vitamin E oil on mine. It is about $5 for a pretty big bottle. You can find it with the other "natural" vitamin type things at the drug store. It really seems to help. I also put it on my chapped lips. I get really dry in the winter too! Good luck.

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E.M.

answers from Kansas City on

I use the Gold Bond Ultimate lotion with Shea Butter. I have a daycare so I am constantly washing my hands and I use that right after. I use ot all thru the winter and my hands seem to do better with it.

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S.L.

answers from Joplin on

My hands used to crack and bleed and I wanted an easy fix but I don't think there really is one. Satin hands set by MaryKay is a really good product. But you can also, in a more inexpensive way, use brown sugar and baby oil as an exfoliant and then get a good hand cream, don't skimp and get Suave, and apply every time you wash your hands, or at least as often as you can. Bath and Body works has a good hand cream called Look Ma New Hands that is pricy but goes a long way.

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M.C.

answers from Kansas City on

Cornhuskers! It is the best, I started using it years ago and have loved it since!! It smells a little funny and feels kinda gross at first but it WORKS!!! You can get it at pretty much any drug store for the same $$ as average lotion.

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M.T.

answers from Springfield on

Olive oil works best for me. Dab it on with a cotton ball. Then just rub it in well, especially into the nail and cuticle and then blot dry.

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C.M.

answers from Kansas City on

Just a couple more suggestions. My husbands grandmother always used to make bread in the wintertime to help her hands. The butter helps to soften hands. Just don't wash with soap right afterward. If you are not into that, I have had a lot of sucess with Nutragena hand cream. It comes in a small bottle but a little goes a long way and it really helps. Johnson and Johnson has also recently come out with lotion for adults and is one of the best lotions I have ever used and I have tried a lot of them. Everyone's skin is different though so you just have to find what works for you. Oh, and don't forget to drink water. We tend to forget in the winter to drink as much and that doesn't help the dry skin either.

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M.H.

answers from Joplin on

I now this might sound like a sales pitch but its not.
I understand your frustrations with dry cuticles/hands. I too suffer from that and my cuticles always look like I have put them through a meat grinder.
I am a SAHM/WAHM and there is a product that I market that works very good on my hands. If you are interested in more information you can send me your contact info at http://www.ForAGreenCountry.com
Hope this helps!
M. Hazen
Enhancing Lives One Family At A Time!
http://www.StayingAtHomeWithMyKids.com

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H.H.

answers from Kansas City on

show of hands by BeautiControl is awesome. I also have dry hands that even crack in the winter but since I have started using this I don't have those dry cracked hands anymore. You can contact a rep at beauticontrol.com. I don't use it everyday and use it when my hands get dry, I have had my container for over a year and my husband also uses it and likes it. It is a little expensive but last a long time and works great. It is a oil sea salt and real runny but a little drop goes a long way and I haven't used the Bath and Body works product but did see it there and looked like a similar product and was cheaper.

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