The essential formula for rescuing dry, chapped hands

Dry, cold weather takes a toll on our aging skin. Our hands feel dry and rough, not unlike the ‘dishpan hands’ of long-ago television commercials. And while I’ve been washing and drying my hands along with the rest of you, my hands are soft as silk. My beauty secret? An overnight hand mask.

You can treat your hands to this overnight spa treatment, too, and heal much of the wear and tear from the long winter months.

Here’s what you will need

Glycerin-rich cream
White cotton gloves
At least eight hours of sleep time (great moisturizing time for your hands and essential to a healthy immune system).

What’s so special about glycerin?

There are thousands of moisturizing creams on the market. Virtually all of them will make your hands look and feel better immediately, simply by smoothing the skin’s cuticle. But many of them will have no long-term effect because their ingredients evaporate soon after application. (We’ve all smeared our hands with cream and realized an hour or so later that they are dry again.)

The key ingredient for long-lasting moisturization is glycerin.

Glycerin has been around for centuries and it is the workhorse of moisturizers. Glycerin is a humectant, a type of moisturizing agent that pulls water into the outer layer of your skin from the skin’s deeper layers and from the air. In skin care products, glycerin is commonly used with occlusives, another type of moisturizing agent, to trap the moisture that it draws into the skin.

With a pair of cotton gloves, one of these stellar and well-reviewed glycerin creams, and eight hours of slumber, your hands will soldier through daily washings without showing ill effects.

The five best glycerin creams

1. Camille Beckman’s Glycerin Hand Therapy

Camille Beckman’s Glycerin Hand Therapy not only smells divine (even for those who don’t like scented products) but is so rich in glycerin that the effect lasts through many hand washings. It has an 85% five star rating on Amazon. It’s more expensive than drug store hand creams but a tiny bit does both hands thoroughly. About $20 on Amazon.com.

2. Glysolid Glycerin Cream

Faithful users refer to Glysolid Glycerin Cream as a miracle skin care product. Glysolid has been a favorite skin care product in Europe for over 70 years. This cream also contains allantoin, a plant-based healing ingredient. The company maintains that the product promotes cell growth and wound healing. Again, it’s more expensive than some drug store brands but you won’t need to use much. About $15 on Amazon.com.

3. Glysomed Hand Cream

Glysomed Hand Cream is a popular European hand cream rich in glycerin and chamomile. It has a 91% five-star rating on Amazon. It comes in scented (green tube) and unscented versions (white tube). About $12 on Amazon.com.

4. Herbalind Glycerin Hand Cream

Herbalind Glycerin Hand Cream is another European favorite. It also contains alpha hydroxy acid, which is a skin exfoliator. It comes in unscented (white flowers) and chamomile (yellow flowers) versions. About $15 on Amazon.com.

5. Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream is formulated with an impressive 40% glycerin and clinically proven to provide immediate and long-lasting relief. Used daily, it helps prevent dry skin even under the harshest conditions. About $10 for pack of 2 on Amazon.com.

The best gloves

CARA Moisturizing Cotton Gloves

These soft and gentle hypoallergenic 100% cotton gloves work effectively to aid the absorption of hand creams and ointments and are perfect for overnight use. They provide a comfortable fit and can be washed for re-use. Each package includes two dozen pairs. About $34 on Amazon.com.

The best beauty routine for soft hands

Slather your hands with a glycerin-rich cream
Slide on a pair of cotton gloves
Clock eight hours of sleep

When you wake up in the morning, you will be amazed at how soft your hands feel. You may decide to keep this soft-hands beauty habit year round.

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