Winter is nearly upon us, and whether or not you’re in a climate that’s prone to cold weather and low humidity, we can all agree that cracked hands are not on anyone’s wish list. As the temperatures drop, the air gets drier, and we spend more time inside next to heaters, warding off itchy, dry skin seems to be a yearly beauty ritual. Enter hand masks. 

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Especially for those with sensitive skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, these cold weather months can be a particularly uphill battle. Alongside a basic hand-care routine (hand cream, cuticle oil, sunscreen), our editors recommend reaching for hydrating hand masks to keep dryness and itchy hands at bay. That’s right, skin-care masks aren’t just for your face – hand masks can offer a whole list of benefits for the skin on your hands. Here are some of the main ones.

1. Hydration and Skin Softening: Hand masks are designed to deliver intense hydration that goes deeper than your average lotions or moisturizing creams. They often contain moisture-rich ingredients like shea butter, natural oils, aloe vera, and provitamins that treat dry skin by repairing damaged skin cells, promoting skin regeneration, enhancing the skin's natural barrier function, and locking in moisture. These hydrating masks are especially helpful for those of us who engage in activities that are frequent perpetuators of cracked skin, like washing dishes and gardening. Even hand sanitizer use and frequent hand washing (especially with hot water) can cause dry skin, and hand masking is a fabulous go-to when the skin is stripped of its natural oils and starts to feel rough or itchy.

2. Improved Nail Health: Who doesn’t love a beauty ritual that multitasks? Hand masks often extend their benefits to the nails and cuticles as the hydrating ingredients also work to strengthen nails, promote nail growth, moisturize cuticles, and improve overall nail health.

3. Enhanced Absorption of Ingredients: These masks are typically designed to be slipped over your hands like a glove and left on for an extended period of time. Just like skin-care masks meant for your face, this process encourages better absorption by helping all of those moisture-rich ingredients penetrate deeply into the skin.

4. Relaxation and Self-Care: Last but certainly not least, masking is relaxing. It’s a chance to pause and give your hands a break with some well-deserved TLC.

So, if your hands are feeling itchy, try slipping them into a pair of hydrating gloves for a blast of hyper-targeted healing and moisture. Plus, even just a short break from typing, texting, or scrolling can provide a well-deserved moment of relaxation — something we can all benefit from, especially during the busy holiday season.