Keep your hands handy

Months of cool temperatures have taken a toll on our skin, with our hands taking the brunt of winter’s wrath. Get them ready for spring (and summer!) by following a few tips that will have them soft and supple in no time.

Use warm water

During cold and flu season, we’re prone to washing our hands a lot. Lower the water temperature just a bit, as hot water draws out skin’s valuable oils, which can dry out your skin and lead to cracking.

Coat your hands before putting on gloves

Slathering your hands in lotion or butter before you put on gardening or work gloves will help seal in moisture and act as a barrier for your hardworking hands.

Moisturize while your skin is damp

Using lotion while water droplets are still clinging to your skin will help seal in moisture.

Rub lotion over cuticles and nails

It’s easy to just focus on your skin, but nails also can become dry and cracked.

Put baking soda in your dishwasher

Adding 1 to 2 tablespoons of baking soda to the water when washing dishes will neutralize the acids from your dirty dishes and leave your hands soft afterward.

Great products at PCC

Wild Carrot Herbals Lord! My Hands are so Dry! Lotion

Northwest-made in Enterprise, Ore., this healing lotion contains organic aloe vera, coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter and olive oil infused with St. John’s wort flowers. Essential oils of vanilla, frankincense and myrrh provide a soothing scent.

Moon Valley Organics Moon Melt Lotion Bar

This lemon- and vanilla-scented moisturizer uses the anti-inflammatory properties of calendula and comfrey to soothe and restore dry skin. Beeswax helps seal in moisture and gives the herbs time to work. Locally made in Deming, Wash.

Booda Organics Booda Butter

Made by hand in small batches in Bellingham, Wash., Booda Butter provides deep, long-lasting moisture thanks to organic shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil, jojoba oil and olive oil. Certified vegan, it will calm and nourish your skin.

Weleda Skin Food Cream

This cream deeply hydrates, restores and protects your skin. Organic sunflower seed oil moisturizes thanks to essential fatty acids and vitamin E. Rosemary leaf extract soothes with its mild antiseptic properties and calendula flower gently nourishes with its anti-inflammatory properties for an ultra-rich, whole-body cream.