How to Make Your Hands Soft Like a Baby

Daily life can result in callouses on your fingers and palms. Rough skin can be caused by drying, chapping, and your skin's response to ordinary chemicals. If you want to make your skin soft like a baby, there are easy home treatments that you can try yourself. Other simple strategies can help soften your hands as well.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Preventing Dry Skin

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1
Wear gloves in cold weather. Cold weather causes a lot of damage to skin, causing it to dry and crack. Wearing gloves in cooler temperatures protects the skin.^{[1]XTrustworthy SourceCleveland ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Buy multiple pairs of mittens and gloves, to go with every outfit.
- If you work outside, remember to always keep a replacement pair of gloves in your vehicle's aptly-named glove compartment.
2
Protect your hands from housework. Wearing rubber or latex gloves to wash dishes is essential to softening your hands.^{[2]XExpert SourceLydia Shedlofsky, DO
DermatologistExpert Interview. 3 May 2021.} The chemicals of cleaning products also damage skin. Having multiple pairs of rubber or latex gloves will save your hands.^{[3]XTrustworthy SourceCleveland ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Disposable latex gloves can be worn to do gardening work, saving the skin while still allowing for subtle touch.
- Use gloves when handling hot peppers, zucchini, eggplant or other foods that might result in drying hands.
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3
Drink plenty of water. Most experts agree that 8 cups per day is needed to remain hydrated. Remember, your skin is an organ and it requires water like other organs for proper functioning. Without water, your skin will become dry and cracked.^{[4]XResearch source}
- Avoid alcohol, which dehydrates your skin.
- Keeping a water bottle or a glass of water near your work space will help you remember to drink water throughout the day.
4
Limit your lotion. Moisturizers can be helpful, but they should be applied in small doses. If you use lotion more than twice a day, you may be preventing your hands from using their own moisture.^{[5]XTrustworthy SourceCleveland ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- If you need to occasionally apply extra lotion, that's fine.
- The best lotion includes lanolin, a natural moisturizer that comes from sheep.
- Petroleum jelly is another good moisturizer for dry hands.
5
Avoid hot water on your hands. Hot water strips the skin of its natural oils, and dries out hands and fingers. Use lukewarm tap water, just about the same temperature as the air.^{[6]XResearch source}
- Hot water that causes your hands to become red is too hot. The red comes from dilated blood vessels just beneath the surface of the skin. The capillaries open, and more blood flows to your hands, resulting in more fluid loss.
- Stay away from hot-air hand dryers as well.
6
Use good soap. Look for a hand soap that contains aloe vera, vegetable oils, avocado or cocoa butter. Soaps with vitamin E and jojoba oil can help protect against dry skin conditions.
- If you don't need to wash your hands for hygienic purposes, use a gentle liquid soap without water. Simply rub the soap into your palms, and blot it off gently. This can be particularly effective for someone with eczema.
- Choose soap based on your own experience, as skin conditions vary widely.
7
Use sunscreen. Sun acts on skin to dry it out and results in damage. If you don't like the feeling of sunscreen on your palm, wipe it off with a wet wipe after applying it to the backs of your hands.
- Good sunscreen protects your skin from dust as well as sun damage.
- Sunscreen often includes skin moisturizers which can help soften skin.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using Home Remedies

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1
Apply olive oil and sugar. Olive oil is a great skin moisturizer. Pour about 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil into your palm. Add a teaspoon of sugar. With one finger, mix the sugar into the olive oil until it is a gritty mixture. Then rub your palms together, spreading the oil and sugar mixture to cover your skin.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Inexpensive olive oil will be fine for this remedy.
- Rub your hands together for several minutes, making sure all your skin is covered. After you've rubbed your hands well, gently rinse with water.
2
Mix glycerin, rosewater and lemon. Start by mixing a tablespoon of glycerin and an equal amount of rosewater in a small glass jar. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, or a few drops of bottled lemon juice. Stir well.^{[8]XResearch source}
- Cup your palm and pour about teaspoon of the mixture into your palm.
- Rub your hands together. Make sure the mixture covers the palm as well as the back of your hands. Work the mixture well between your fingers.
- Dry your hands with a soft cloth or towel.
- Apply twice a day. This mixture shouldn't be kept for more than a couple of days.
3
Soak your hands in egg yolks. Separate an Egg into egg yolk and whites. Put the egg yolk into a small bowl, and set the egg whites aside. Add 1 teaspoon of honey, 1/2 teaspoon of almond powder, and a few drops of rosewater to the egg yolk. Stir well.^{[9]XResearch source}
- Rub well into your hands for 10 minutes or so, making sure to cover all your skin.
- Allow mixture to sit for about 10 minutes more.
- Gently rinse the mixture from your hands, and dry.
4
Make cream of butter and almond oil. Put 2 teaspoons of butter, and one teaspoon of almond oil into a small bowl. Blend well with a fork until smooth. Follow by rubbing cream well into your hands.^{[10]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Academy of DermatologyProfessional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologistsGo to source}
- Allow the mixture to be absorbed by leaving it on your hands for at least 20 minutes. Follow by rinsing gently in lukewarm water.
- The vitamin E in the almond oil will help heal cracked skin and diminish wrinkles.
5
Apply lemon and sugar. Take a 1/2 slice of a lemon. Sprinkle a little sugar on the moist fruit. Squeeze the sugared lemon slice into your hand until the sugar seems completely gone. Repeat with your other hand.^{[11]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Academy of DermatologyProfessional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologistsGo to source}
- This simple remedy can be easily found if you're in a restaurant and want to soften your hands quickly.
- The lemon slice also helps rid your hands of unpleasant odors, like garlic or fish.
Get instant softness from a gentle scrub. "I just started trying these tips, and the olive oil + sugar scrub works awesome! It feels a little rough at first but leaves my skin super soft once I rinse and dry. My hands feel reborn after using this cheap, easy home remedy." - Sofia R.
Banish hand grossness with simple ingredients. "My hands always grossed me out before reading this. The lemon and sugar recommendation is a total game-changer! Who knew such basic kitchen items could make my skin baby-soft? Now, I don't cringe looking at my hands anymore." - Dawie T.
Solve an embarrassing problem. "The way this article clearly broke things down in bullet points made it really easy and pleasant to read. These quick, inexpensive suggestions helped me finally fix my crazy dry hands. The step-by-step instructions gave me the exact game plan I needed." - Rachel N.
Revive even the driest skin with simple solutions. "My hands were so dry before I got teased about it. But after 2 months of using the olive oil and sugar scrub here, I got way softer palms. Who knew such basic ingredients could bring my hands back to life? So grateful for these tips." - Tunisha P.
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6
Make a hand scrub using coconut oil. Put 1 tablespoon of coconut oil into a small bowl. Add 2 tablespoons honey and mix well. In a second bowl, mix 1/4 cup sea salt together with 1/4 cup sugar. Add 1 tablespoon lemon juice to the dry mixture until it has the consistency of slightly damp sand. Combine the salt mixture with the oil and honey mixture, and stir well.^{[12]XResearch source}
- With your fingers, scoop a small amount into your hand.
- Rub your hands together well, and spread the scrub across your palms and between your fingers.
- Rinse with warm water, and gently dry with a towel.
- Store excess scrub in a glass jar with an airtight lid.
- Apply 1-2 times per week.

Expert Q&A

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Question
How do I get rid of rough hands?
Lydia Shedlofsky, DO
Dermatologist
Dr. Lydia Shedlofsky is a Resident Dermatologist who joined Affiliated Dermatology in July of 2019 after completing a traditional rotating internship at Larkin Community Hospital in Miami, Florida. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology at Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina. After graduation, she moved to Beira, Mozambique, and worked as a research assistant and intern at a free clinic. She completed a Post-Baccalaureate program and subsequently earned a Master's Degree in Medical Education and a Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Lydia Shedlofsky, DO
Dermatologist
Expert Answer
Avoid using harsh soaps when you wash your hands and put on gloves whenever you're doing dishes or cleaning.
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Question
Is it also effective for black hands?
Community Answer
Yes, except for in a few extreme cases, all of the suggestions below will work for most any skin color and type.
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Question
What oil do I use to make my hands soft?
Community Answer
You can try olive oil, coconut oil, or argan oil.
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