by Jane Allyson

Created on: May 26, 2007   Last Updated: August 04, 2009

It seems that we always take our hands for granted and expect a lot out of them. Looking after them properly doesn't need to be a chore and if you look after when you are young, your older self will be thankful that you did.

To keep working hands soft isn't difficult. You just need to keep a few vital ingredients with you at all times and learn some simple tips to cut down on the harshness that your hands endure during the working day.

The worst damage our hands put up with is the constant washing and drying during the time we are at work. A good tip is to keep a bottle of moisturizer next to the sink and as soon as you have washed and dried, dab a little into your hands and work down towards the fingers. The better lotions to use are the specially formulated ones for hands that are more easily absorbed.

In most medical professions, beauticians, housekeepers, and in many other jobs you just cannot avoid the regular hand washing business. If it is not practicable to keep lotion by the sink get into the habit of carrying a small amount of lotion in your bag or purse, together with a small non perfumed soap. You can keep the soap tidy in a little plastic case or failing that a simple plastic bag.

Make sure that when you wash, that you use lukewarm water only (hot water strips the skin of essential oils) Use your pure and simple soap to wash with and when you have finished washing your hands, blot them instead of rubbing. Vigorous rubbing to constantly wet hands can cause tiny little tears in the skin that can make them rough and chapped.

If your hands become sore and chapped, my advice is to rub a little antiseptic cream into your hands working well into the soreness and then use a nice lavender or chamomile hand cream afterwards. Both these elements have a soothing nature to them and lavender actively inhibits bacteria, cutting down further on infection.

When you are at work, wear cloves whenever possible. You can get the nice thin ones now that don't hinder you too much. If you are allergic to rubber gloves, wear plastic if you can. Sometimes in environments when your hands are going to take a lot of hardship it is best to work some kind of barrier cream into your hands. This will slow down the drying out of your skin but remember to reapply it when necessary.

Do not to put your hands in any chemical such as bleach! Even minimum contact with bare skin can initiate irritating skin condition such as dermatitis - it just isn't worth the risk.

If you intend doing rough work always wear the suitable gloves for the job and ensure that you change for fresh ones if they become damaged.

So my main tip would be to keep a constant supply of suitable gloves in your cupboard to deal with any situation that you may find yourself in.

On a personal note, I have been known to wear my washing up gloves to shift bricks and rubble in my house renovation days. I may have cut a figure of mirth with friends and family, but at the end of the day my hands had been protected and they were still lovely and soft and were completely unscathed and free from cut and callouses.

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