How can severely dry and damaged hands be treated?

Very dry hands indicate an alteration in the skin barrier, which limits water loss and protects the skin from external aggressors.

When it becomes weakened, notably in cases of hands damaged by frequent washing, exposure to cold, or repeated use of detergents, the skin becomes more vulnerable and gradually loses suppleness and comfort. Clinically, several signs help identify dry to damaged hands. Signs of redness can appear after prolonged contact with hot water or irritating substances, indicating superficial inflammation. The skin may also present scales, corresponding to the visible detachment of fine flakes of the stratum corneum due to established cutaneous dryness. These manifestations are frequently accompanied by itching and tightness. In more severe forms, the skin of the fingers that split can reveal a crevasse at the finger level, sometimes painful and sensitive. If the hands are not repaired, then actual fissures and chapping may develop. It is then time to treat chapped hands and use a care regimen designed for severely damaged hands.

Damaged hands result from a combination of factors, which it is helpful to understand in order to know how to combat daily dry hands. The first step is to limit avoidable irritations. Using water that is too hot exacerbates skin dehydration by dissolving the protective lipids of the stratum corneum. Favoring lukewarm water and gentle cleansers, such as a superfatted soap or a dermatological cleansing bar, helps preserve the hydrolipidic film and reduce the risk of hands becoming damaged from frequent washing. After each cleansing, careful drying without excessive rubbing also helps maintain the integrity of the skin barrier.

The mechanical protection also plays a vital role. Wearing gloves in winter mitigates the drying effect of cold and wind, while using them during household chores, gardening, or DIY tasks reduces contact with irritating substances. These simple actions help to prevent the appearance of chapped hands and are the first step before even seeking a remedy for chapped hands or considering using a cream against hand cracks.

When the skin barrier is compromised, treating very dry hands relies primarily on a twofold approach: hydrating to boost water content in the stratum corneum and nourishing to restore protective lipids. Simple measures can help prevent further damage: wearing gloves while doing household chores to avoid redness caused by irritants, applying a nourishing balm after every wash, and opting for richer hydration at night—an ideal time for skin regeneration. This routine provides an essential foundation for repairing damaged hands and often represents the first-line remedy for everyday cracked hands.

In addition, regular use of emollients containing, for example, urea or dexpanthenol has shown a significant improvement in hydration and barrier function, with a reduction in fissures. A randomized study in 40 adults with very dry, sensitive hands evaluated a dexpanthenol-containing cream applied for four weeks. Instrumental measurements revealed a significant increase in stratum corneum hydration (by nearly 81%) as well as a reduction in insensible water loss, indicating restoration of the skin barrier. Dryness symptoms similarly decreased, and both tolerability and user satisfaction were high. The photos below also confirm the effectiveness of this protocol.

Tip: In situations where a deep crack appears, applying a dressing to the finger crevasse can help protect the lesion and promote skin repair by maintaining a moist environment conducive to healing.

Remarque : If dryness is accompanied by persistent redness, itching, or oozing lesions, it may be a case of hand eczema rather than simple xerosis. In this case, a medical evaluation is recommended: a general practitioner or a dermatologist can confirm the diagnosis and, if necessary, prescribe topical corticosteroids alongside moisturizing care to control inflammation and promote skin repair.

• GIP L. & al. Urea creams in the treatment of dry skin and hand dermatitis. International Journal of Dermatology (1975).

• AGNER T. & al. Hand eczema: Treatment. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (2019).

• TRAPP S. & al. Performance and acceptability of a new dexpanthenol-containing hand cream in subjects with sensitive and very dry skin: A randomized controlled study. Cosmetics (2022).

• MOLIN S. & al. A review of existing and new treatments for the management of hand eczema. Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery (2023).