You do most everything, every day, with your hands. They take the brunt of almost every task you perform, and you wash them quite frequently through the day. And this is bound to take its toll your hands, making them look like they belong to someone much older than you actually are. In fact, the soaps, detergents, and other cleaning products that you use can make your hands rough, wrinkly, discolored, and aged, well before their time.
And this is a problem why, you might wonder. That is because it is said that if you want to know a person’s true age, you need to look at their hands. Your hands reveal your true age, no matter what cosmetic procedure or latest technique you use on your face to mask your real age. So you need to take care of your hands – EVERY DAY!
Suggested read: 12 best home remedies for dry, cracked, and chapped hands
Causes for dry, rough hands
These are the most common causes for rough hands, which would turn wrinkly in no time:
- Cold weather
- Dry air
- Excessive hand washing
- Exposure to harmful chemicals in cleaning products
- Use of soap bars/detergent bars
- Swimming in chlorinated pools very frequently
- Low humidity
- Sun exposure
- Certain medical conditions like eczema and psoriasis
- Certain allergens
- Certain medications
Home remedies for rough hands
Although it might seem like you’re up against a lot of factors to protect your hands from, and care for them, it’s not that hard to do so. Thankfully, there are many easy and natural home remedies for rough hands, that work wonders, leaving your hands baby soft and smooth. Let’s take a look:
1. Aloe vera
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Aloe vera is a natural moisturizer, which helps retain moisture on dry, rough skin, by forming a protective layer. Also, it helps soothe any sun burns or burns in general on your hands, and helps improve the skin tone.
Remedy
- Slice open an aloe vera leaf, and squeeze out the fresh gel into a clean bowl. Rub this onto your hands and massage gently for a few minutes. Let it air dry for about 15 minutes, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this remedy at least once a day for best results.
2. Avocado
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Avocados are rich in vitamins A, C, and E, along with monounsaturated fats, all of which are superbly effective in getting rid of dry, rough skin. Additionally, they can also help make your hands look younger, by reducing the appearance of sagging skin.
Remedies
- Mash the pulp of half a ripe avocado with the back of a fork, and mix 1 tablespoon of honey into it to form a smooth paste. Apply this paste on your hands, leaving it on for 15 minutes, before washing it off with cool water. Repeat this remedy at least a few times a week.
- Massage your hands using avocado oil before taking a shower, for best results.
3. Bananas
An overripe banana is one of the best home remedies for rough hands, because it is naturally moisturizing. Plus, it helps treat fine lines and wrinkles too.
Remedies
- Mash half an overripe banana with the back of a fork, so that there are no lumps in it. To this, add 1 teaspoon each of olive oil and honey, and mix well. Apply this paste on your hands, leaving it on for about 20 minutes, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this remedy at least once a week.
- Mash 1 overripe banana with the back of a fork, so that there are no chunks or lumps in it. Apply this directly on your hands, and leave it on for about half an hour. Then, wash it off with lukewarm water, and apply a hand moisturizer to seal in the moisture.
4. Coconut oil
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Coconut oil is another natural moisturizer, which contains vital fatty acids that are amazingly good for dry skin, including your dry, rough hands. Additionally, it is also helpful in soothing damage done to your skin by harmful UV rays.
Remedy
- Warm 3 tablespoons of extra virgin coconut oil and apply it on your rough hands, massaging it into your skin for a few minutes. Use circular motions for this. Do this before going to sleep. Wear gloves so that the oil doesn’t get on the sheets. Repeat this remedy every day to see positive results.
Pro tip: This same remedy can be used with almond, grapeseed, jojoba, or avocado oil.
Suggested read: All you need to know about taking care of your hands to counter aging
5. Honey
Again, honey is a natural moisturizer, with anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, and antioxidant properties as well. Plus, honey is a humectant, that helps lock in the moisture to keep your hands extra soft and smooth. Additionally, it contains anti-aging properties that are beneficial for your skin.
Remedies
- Take 3 tablespoons of honey and rub it all over your hands, gently massaging into your skin for about 10 minutes. Then, wash it off using lukewarm water. Repeat at least once or twice every day for soft hands.
- To 2 teaspoons of honey, add 1 teaspoon each of olive oil and lemon juice, and mix well. Apply this on your hands, letting it dry on its own for about 10 minutes, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this remedy a few times a week for best results.
- In a clean bowl, mix equal amounts of honey and glycerin. Apply this on your hands, letting it sit for 10 minutes, before washing it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this once a day for soft, supple hands.
6. Lemon juice
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Lemon juice is rich in citric acid, which evens out any discoloration on the skin, while also helping lighten dark spots.
Remedies
- In a clean bowl, mix together 2 teaspoons each of lemon juice, honey, and baking soda, to form a smooth paste. Rub this into your rough skin, massaging gently. Allow it to sit on your hands for 5-10 minutes, before washing it off with lukewarm water. Use this remedy at least twice a week to remove discoloration and promote younger-looking, soft hands.
- To a small tub of lukewarm water, add the juice of 1 lemon and 1 teaspoon of honey. Soak your rough hands in it for about 10 minutes. Pat dry with a soft towel, and apply a bit of vitamin E oil or olive oil, to maintain the moisture for longer periods of time. Use this remedy twice or thrice a week for best results.
Pro tip: Do NOT use soap directly on your hands after using this mask.
7. Milk cream
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Milk cream contains a high amount of fat, that is a great natural moisturizer, especially for dry, rough hands. Also, the lactic acid it contains, helps exfoliate dry skin, while also helping maintain the skin’s pH levels.
Remedies
- In a clean bowl, mix together 2 teaspoons of milk cream and 2 tablespoons of gram flour to form a smooth paste. Apply this on your hands, gently massaging it into your skin. Let it sit for 15 minutes, before washing it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this remedy twice or thrice a week for best results.
- Rub in some fresh milk cream on your hands, letting it sit for 10 minutes, before washing it off with lukewarm water. Use this remedy at least once a day for soft, smooth, supple hands.
8. Oatmeal
Oatmeal acts like a gentle exfoliator, that heals dry, rough hands by getting rid of dead skin cells and other impurities. Also, it’s a natural cleanser, that will keep your rough hands from drying. Additionally, the protein content in oatmeal prevents water loss from your skin, keeping your skin moisturized.
Remedy
- In a clean bowl, add 2 tablespoons of ground oatmeal, 1 teaspoon of honey, a few drops of lemon juice, and a bit of water to make a paste. Rub this mixture on your hands, gently massaging it. Let it dry for about 10 minutes, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Use this remedy at least once a week for best results.
9. Olive oil
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Olive oil is another home remedy for rough hands that works superbly. It contains antioxidants and essential fatty acids that turn your dry, rough hands soft, supple, and moisturized. Plus, it contains anti-aging benefits as well.
Remedies
- Warm 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and use it to massage your dry, rough hands for about 5-10 minutes to enjoy soft, smooth hands. Do this twice a day for best results.
- In a clean bowl, mix equal amounts of sugar and olive oil. Rub this scrub on your hands using gently, circular motions for a few minutes. Let it sit on your hands for 5 more minutes, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Pat dry with a soft towel, and apply a light moisturizer to help seal in the moisture. Repeat this remedy twice every week for soft, supple hands.
Suggested read: All you need to know about how to do a French manicure at home
10. Yogurt
Yogurt is a natural hydrating agent, which contains mild bleaching properties as well. Also, these same properties make it an excellent remedy for dry, rough hands. Additionally, the lactic acid in yogurt cleanses and exfoliates all the dead skin cells, to reveal soft, smooth hands.
Remedies
- In a clean bowl, add 3 teaspoons of yogurt and 1 tablespoon of gram flour, and mix well to form a paste. Apply this paste on your hands, letting it dry for about 15 minutes. Then, rinse it off using lukewarm water. Repeat this remedy at least once or twice a week.
- Apply a spoonful of fresh yogurt on your rough hands, massaging in gently for about 5 minutes. Let it sit for 10 more minutes, before washing it off with warm water. Do this every day for best results.
These are all the natural home remedies for rough hands, that turn them into soft, supple, and moisturized hands. Remember, if you don’t take care of your hands, you will look older than you actually are! Don’t let that happen!
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