Dry Skin is no fun. It causes irritation and discomfort which can drive you crazy. Worse than that, skin that eventually cracks can lead to infection and other skin conditions. But there’s more to skin than just being dry and uncomfortable.

The skin is actually the largest organ on our body and protects us from germs and disease, so when our Natural barrier is weakened we are more susceptible to these contagions. This is why it’s important to use a natural hand lotion throughout the day. Our top pick is the Aya Natural hand cream.

• The Causes of Dry Skin
• What’s Wrong with Conventional Lotion?
• The Top Brands

The Causes of Dry Skin

One of the most common manifestations of Dry Skin is dry hands. Your knuckles, cuticles and palms feel like they’re begging for moisture- and that’s because they are. Most people notice this during the winter-time. Moisture leaves our skin because of the low temperatures, lack of humidity and dry air that constantly blows out of the furnace. This is especially bad in the winter time because colds and flues are often being spread, and cracked skin increases the chance of infection.

There are also lifestyle behaviors that can cause people’s hands to be more dry than normal. People that wash their hands frequently or use harsh soaps will find that they may have dry hands. This is because the natural moisture is being stripped away from your hands. One way to help this is to use homemade soap.

So whether it’s the winter time or just a spell of dry skin, you need to be prepared to take care of your hands. The absolute best way to do this is by using natural hand lotion.

What’s Wrong with Conventional Lotion?

Using any lotion won’t do. It has to be a natural lotion that uses only organic ingredients. Many lotions and skin care products in general contain harmful chemicals. These include substances like parabens, fragrances, emulsifiers and alcohol.

• Alcohols: A lot of lotions contain different types of alcohol as part of the ingredients list. This is not good because alcohol can actually dry out the skin, instead of providing it moisture.

• Parabens: These are compounds that are used by pharmaceutical companies as preservatives for skin products. They contain harmful chemicals like xeno-estrogens that can be harmful to health.

• Synthetic Fragrances: Although these make lotions smell nice, they are purely artificial. This means they are made in a lab, instead of being found in nature. These artificial fragrances are made with chemicals that must be avoided for someone looking to take care of their health.

It’s important that you keep an eye out for these harmful ingredients. They are found in many mainstream skincare brands.

One frequent problem is that many skincare companies will use labels like ‘natural ingredients’, or will advertise the fact that they include ‘shea butter’ and other natural substances in their products. This is very misleading because a product may advertise that it contains a few natural ingredients, but ignores the fact that they also include harmful substances.

Additionally, not just any lotion will do for your hands. Although natural body lotion does offer moisturizing effects, it does not have the structural makeup designed for hands. When it comes to hand lotion, you will need to reapply it more often than body lotion because you use your hands more frequently, causing the lotion to dissipate faster. Manufacturers know this and it’s why hand lotion formulas are usually more gentle than body lotions.

The Top Brands

Below you will find our reviews of the four top brands for sale. Each brand is chemical free.

Aya Natural

This is a vegan brand that does a great job fighting skin issues like redness and itching. The company is known for using the simplest of formulas in their products, and always embracing natural and organic ingredients.

Aya Natural hand cream is helpful for restoring and repairing dry and cracked hands. It does this without leaving grease behind and is really built to last for hours and hours. You should only need to use it 2-3 times a day which is quite convenient.

Badger

Badger has a line of organic skin products that are great for sensitive skin. Their Badger Balm for Hardworking Hands is perfect for dry hands.

People who constantly use their hands for work can really get beat up skin. This requires a tough product that can get the job done. Usually this calls for harsh chemicals, but in this case Badger uses a USDA certified formula.
Their cuticle balm is formulated with extra virgin olive oil and shea butter- two rich, moisturizing ingredients that specifically target dry skin and weak nails.

Badger Balm has essential oils like peppermint that give it a soothing aroma. It’s perfect for use during the winter time and is convenient to carry around as it comes in a tiny tin.

J.R. Watkins Natural Hand Cream

J.R. Watkins’s hand creams are formulated with shea and cocoa butters providing rich moisture, without being greasy. It’s perfect for dry and rough skin not only on the hands, but anywhere with sensitive skin.

This hand cream is a great choice for those who aren’t quite sure where to start. This is because the JR Watkins lotions come in small tubes and are offered at a low price. They’re also offered in a variety of scents including: Lemon, Aloe & Green Tea, Pomegranate & Acai.

Yes to Coconuts

This brand utilizes the amazing power of coconut in this awesome hand cream. The coconut takes over all aspects of this cream as it plays the role of moisturizer, healer and provides a lovely scent.

Yes to Coconut hand cream is not entirely coconut and is no replacement for coconut oil. It’s formulated with shea butter and other ingredients that help provide a powerful moisturizing effect on the skin.

What About Natural Oils?

Natural ingredients are the way to go, so some people may be wondering whether or not they can just use plain oils like olive oil or coconut oil. Certainly these oils would provide moisture, but there is more to hand lotion than just providing moisture.

Think of how greasy olive oil and coconut oil are. Do you really want to have those on your hands all day? Plus, it’s a bit hard to carry around a tub of olive oil. Additionally, hand lotions are specially designed to lock in moisture and to treat cracked skin- oils aren’t.

Hand lotions are not only convenient, but they are specially formulated for someone who is on the go and working regularly. So while these natural oils have amazing benefits, they are not a great choice as hand lotions. You can however find a product that utilizes coconut oil as a major part of its formula, such Yes to Coconuts.

How about salves?

Salves are appealing because they offer similar benefits to lotions. The main difference, however, is that salves are more focused on treating particular skin issues, not necessarily dry skin or cracked hands. So unless you have a specific issue besides dryness, then stick with lotions.

Conclusion

If you’re reading this then there is a good chance your hands are begging for moisture. Don’t deprive them of it! Get your hands on (pun intended) one of these products today.

Once you get your product, you should only need to use it about 2-3 times per day. These products are built to last. If you find yourself needing to use it multiple times per day, then you may need to take into account other lifestyle factors.

So grab a bottle and carry it around wherever you go. It will guarantee you moist, strong and healthy hands.

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