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Written by OSEA Staff | Updated January 22, 2025
A Guide to Hand Care During Dry Weather
As the seasons change, so do our skin care needs. When humidity dissipates and temperatures drop, the cold, dry weather can wreak havoc on our skin. Between exposure to the elements, cozy gatherings by the fire, harsh indoor heating systems, and the increased frequency of hand washing to prevent cold & flu, it’s no wonder many of us wind up with dry cracked hands in winter. To prevent and soothe parched, rough skin, check out our complete winter hand care guide below.
Why Is Hand Care Important During Cold Weather?
During winter, your transepidermal water loss increases up to 25%, which leads to the loss of natural oils and weakens the skin barrier’s ability to retain moisture. When you think about that, and the fact that the two areas most often left exposed during cold weather are the face and hands, it becomes clear why giving your hands some extra love and care this time of year is essential1. Add the continuous dry heat running indoors, oil-stripping hot showers or baths, diligent hand washing to keep those germs at bay, and the ever-important skin barrier is even more at risk2.
If you have a weak barrier, you’re more prone to the uncomfortable symptoms of dry and sensitive skin. Though the strength of your skin barrier is partially genetic, there are ways to strengthen and protect it in ultra-dry environments. The goal is to lock in moisture to prevent dry skin before it starts, but if you’re already showing signs, OSEA is here to help soothe and smooth them with our guide to and recommendations for winter hands treatment.
5 Hand Care Tips for Dry Weather
Dry, chapped hands are not inevitable this time of year. Though you can’t control the weather, dermatologists agree there are ways you can give your skin the care it needs to remain soft and supple.
Carry Moisturizer With You & Apply Often
The strength of your skin barrier and its combination of proteins, lipids, and oils have a lot to do with how dry your skin gets3. Chances are you aren’t applying moisturizer frequently enough during the cooler months. Lock moisture in by patting dry after bathing, then apply moisturizer immediately after.
Choosing the right product for your needs can help create a seal to keep water from escaping. When selecting moisturizer, think not only about the level of your dryness, but also look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, lanolin, cocoa and shea butter, glycerin, and aloe vera.
Feed your skin with our luscious Undaria Algae™ Body Butter which delivers up to 72 hours of hydration with nutrient-rich Undaria seaweed, whipped shea butter, and ceramides that melt into skin. This ultra-hydrating formula also visibly improves skin crepiness and firmness*.
* - Based on a third-party clinical and consumer perception study conducted on 32 women
For another lighter weight yet nutrient-rich formula, try the Undaria Algae™ Body Lotion. This is made with Undaria seaweed and hyaluronic acid that delivers lasting hydration for radiant, revitalized skin, even after just one use*. For those with sensitive skin, it’s also available in a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic formula.
* - Based on an independent third-party clinical study conducted on 31 women
Our full-size bottles are ideal for storing by a sink at home, but what about protecting your hands on the go? It’s important to reapply after every time you wash your hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer, aiming for 5–6 applications per day2. Our Undaria Algae™ Body Lotion in Travel Size is a handbag hero, while our Undaria Algae™ Body Butter in Travel Size is a great addition to your carry-on or office touch-up kit. Revive your hands’ healthy glow and touchably soft texture with a pump of the Undaria Algae™ Body Oil in Travel Size.
Avoid Harsh Soaps & Long, Hot Showers
Though frequent hand washing is an important aspect of keeping yourself and your community safe during cold & flu season, avoiding harsh soaps and reducing the temperature and time spent in hot water can keep dry skin from worsening4.
Use lukewarm water, mild cleansers, and apply moisturizer afterwards. Though it’s tempting to linger in hot water when you’re cold, keeping showers to 5–7 minutes will prevent further drying5. Right after bathing is an excellent time to lock in moisture with a super emollient body oil and hyaluronic serum.
Our seaweed-boosted Undaria Algae™ Body Wash gently cleanses and removes impurities, leaving skin soft, smooth and revitalized without stripping skin*. Ingredients like aloe and glycerin hydrate to help support skin’s moisture barrier. The Undaria Algae™ Body Wash in Travel Size is perfect for your winter getaways or keeping in your bag for an extra gentle hand wash when you’re out on the town.
* - Based on an independent third-party consumer perception study of 32 women
Post bath or shower, apply Undaria Algae™ Body Oil to instantly improve skin’s elasticity and visible smoothness and deliver a rush of antioxidant-rich moisture*. Rich yet never greasy, this intoxicating aromatherapy elixir enhances every inch and comes in a fragrance-free formula.
* - Based on a 2-week third-party clinical study of 53 women ages 25–65 (including expert skin grading, instrumental measurements & consumer perception study)
For added protection, layer on Hyaluronic Body Serum. Powered by 5 molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, vegan peptides plus nutrient-rich seaweed, our lightweight body serum is clinically shown to instantly boost skin’s hydration by 161%*. Maintain your body care routine away from home with the Hyaluronic Body Serum in Travel Size.
* - Based on a third-party clinical study after 1 use
Exfoliate Your Hands Too
Removing dead skin from your whole body, including your hands, is essential to your care routine. Excessive buildup can prevent skin from absorbing necessary nutrients. The OSEA Undaria Cleansing Body Polish is supercharged with Undaria seaweed with a microbiome friendly formula that gently cleanses and washes away dead skin cells. Apply this exfoliator two to three times a week—or to your desired liking—for the best results. Our customers report skin that feels smoother, softer, and more even in as little as one use*.
* - Based on a third-party consumer perception study conducted over 1 week on 33 women ages 37– 60
Use a Humidifier
To combat the super dry air in your home this time of year, you may want to add a humidifier to the equation—doing so will help ease dry, itchy skin all over your body2.
Wear Gloves Outdoors and to Bed
One of the best ways to prevent dry, cracked hands during the colder months is to protect your hands from the elements by keeping them covered. When headed out, choose warm and breathable natural fabrics when possible and keep in mind that polyester and wool can irritate skin. At bedtime, apply moisturizer once more and wear cotton gloves to soothe your skin even more1.
Updating your skincare routine for the season and maintaining it throughout the winter is essential for wellness and ease. With these tips and OSEA’s holistic approach to self-care with nutrient-rich, seaweed-infused products, we make it easy to protect your hands from the elements and prevent those dry knuckles in winter.
Sources:
- Coons, C. (22 December 2022). Itchy, dry skin this winter? These tips from dermatologists may help. UC Davis Health. Retrieved September 19, 2025, from https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/itchy-dry-skin-this-winter-these-tips-from-dermatologists-may-help-/2022/12
- Levitt, S. and Ratini, M. (6 February 2024). Prevent and Soothe Chapped Winter Hands. WebMD. Retrieved September 19, 2025, from https://www.webmd.com/beauty/features/prevent-soothe-chapped-winter-hands
- Demello, L. (26 October 2021). How to Avoid Dry And Cracked Hands During the Winter. Health Digest. Retrieved September 19, 2025, from https://www.healthdigest.com/643536/how-to-avoid-dry-and-cracked-hands-during-the-winter/
- Klein, J. (15 March 2023). Do these two things to combat dry skin–less soap and more moisturizer. UC Health. Retrieved September 19, 2025, from https://www.uchealth.org/today/2-things-to-tame-dry-skin-in-winter/
- Calaor, J.M. (11 February 2020). Why Your Hands May Be Peeling This Winter, According to Dermatologists. Allure. Retrieved September 19, 2025, from https://www.allure.com/story/peeling-hands-dry-skin-winter