4 Surprising (But Effective) & Natural Ways to Get Rid of Peeling Skin On Your Hands & Fingertips
Do you deal with the daily discomfort of dry, peeling skin on your hands and fingertips? If you do and you’re ready for the once-and-for-all solution to this daily struggle, then you’ll want to follow our guide that covers four surprising but effective and natural ways to get rid of peeling skin on your hands and fingertips.
From the well-known benefits of moisturizers to unconventional remedies like coconut oil soaks, green tea compresses, and hand exfoliation, this blog uncovers little-known holistic approaches to revitalizing your skin and restoring its health.
1. Moisturize
Okay, this one may not be that surprising, but we wanted to make sure we mention it first, because it truly is essential in getting rid of dry, peeling skin on your hands and fingertips. Moisturizers help reduce skin peeling and dryness by providing and retaining hydration in the outermost layer of the skin, also known as the stratum corneum.
- Moisturizers contain ingredients like water and glycerin, which provide the hydration necessary to maintain the skin barrier’s functions and prevent the water loss that causes dryness and peeling.
- Aside from being a moisturizer that’s thicker and more hydrating than your average moisturizer, the Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream also contains camphor, which is a naturally soothing ingredient that calms inflammation and irritation — ideal for if your hands and fingertips are peeling to the point of revealing raw skin.
- If your dry skin is particularly severe, we recommend moisturizing as often as possible, and especially after washing your hands or showering, to replenish any lost moisture immediately.
2. Coconut Oil Soak
Contrary to popular belief, coconut oil does not actually moisturize your skin. It’s occlusive, so rather than sink into your skin, it sits on the skin’s surface and traps the existing moisture underneath it. Therefore, it’s important to still remember to moisturize using a proper moisturizer rather than relying only on this oil to keep your skin soft.
- The moisturizing magic in coconut oil lies in the lauric and linoleic acid that it contains, both of which help to kill bacteria on the skin, reduce inflammation, and soothe the skin. If you’re dealing with skin on your hands and fingertips that are peeling so severely that they are becoming raw and inflamed, then try soaking them in coconut oil to soothe and soften your skin.
- Here’s how to prepare the oil: Warm a small amount of coconut oil (although if you already live in a hot place, then the coconut oil might already be conveniently melted and ready to go!) and soak your hands in it for about 10-15 minutes.
3. Green Tea Compress
The Vitamin E in green tea is known for its ability to nourish, hydrate, and heal the skin. Green tea also contains anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce skin irritation, redness, and swelling. If your dry and peeling skin is resulting in these issues, then applying a green tea compress may help soothe your skin and heal it faster.
- Brew a cup of green tea and let it cool down
- Soak a clean cloth in the cooled tea and apply it as a compress to your hands for 10-15 minutes
- Due to green tea’s antioxidant, anti-bacterial, and antimicrobial properties, it may also be effective in treating acne and oily skin. If you also deal with acne, we recommend giving the Hydrating Face Wash a try, as one of its skin-soothing ingredients is green tea!
4. Exfoliate
When it comes to exfoliating, most people assume that their exfoliator can only be used on their face or arms, but if you’re dealing with peeling skin on your hands and fingers, then using a quality scrub can work wonders for getting rid of the excess skin peeling off of your hands and fingertips!
- Gently exfoliate your hands and fingertips once or twice a week to remove the dead skin cells
- After about 30-60 seconds, rinse off with lukewarm water
- Cautions: Avoid exfoliating more than 1-2 times per week, as doing so may actually exacerbate the issue and don’t exfoliate your hands if they are at the point of being sensitive and raw from the peeling. Additionally, rinse off with lukewarm water — not hot water. Hot water tends to remove the natural oils and moisture from your skin and cause it to become even more dry.
- Pro Tip: Always follow up the exfoliation with a quality moisturizer to protect the fresh layer of skin you’ve just uncovered from the exfoliation session
As with many skin issues, alleviating the discomfort of dry, peeling skin on your hands and fingertips can be a continuous journey that requires multiple different methods and much experimentation. By sharing with you the surprising remedies of coconut oil soaks, green tea compresses, and hand exfoliation, we hope to have provided you with the holistic, hydrating, and soothing tools you’ll need in your journey to get rid of the peeling skin on your hands and fingertips. Remember, each person’s skin is unique, so if none of the ways we shared happen to work for your skin, we advise you to still continue to experiment and practice patience as you work towards uncovering the methods that work best for you. Through consistent application of moisturizers and other treatments you discover, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying soft, healthy skin.