Winterize Your Hands & Nails – Cold Weather Hand Care Tips

Winter Hand & Nail Care

If you live in a cold, dry climate, you winterize your home, car and more than likely your skin care routine but what about your hands? Given the below-freezing windchill temps that typically plague Cleveland, I’ve become acutely observant of the state of my hands and nails during the winter.

Unless you wear gloves 24/7, your hands get almost as much air exposure as your face. And given the other downsides of winter, no one wants to add dry, chapped skin or brittle, peeling nails to that list. It’s time to rescue your hands from the effects of the frozen tundra and get your winter hand care routine on point, yes on point (I can’t with “on fleek”).

I’ve teamed up with Sally Hansen to share my favorite cold weather hand care tips with you.

Remove With Care

Straight-up acetone does a bang-up job of removing any type of polish, even glitter, but wow is it drying. I know I’m not the only one whose fingers looked like they were dipped in powdered sugar after using pure acetone. It’s time to switch to a more moisturizing formula, like Sally Hansen Kwik Off Salon Formula Nail Polish Remover. It does a surprisingly good job of keeping skin hydrated while taking off those hard-to-remove colors.

Tip: If you’re concerned about the oils affecting the life of your manicure, swipe nail beds with white vinegar before polishing.

Sally Hansen Kwik Off Nail Polish Remover

Seal Those Edges

How you file your nails can make an impact on their condition. When you use a rough grit file, the jagged edge will allow water to seep into the nail, causing splitting and peeling. Seal the edge by using a crystal or sapphire file, like Sally Hansen Ahead of the Curve.

Tip: Hold the file at a 45 degree angle, under the nail, to make sure you get a clean finish with no hanging chads, so to speak.

Sally Hansen Ahead of the Curve Sapphire Nail File

Lotion Up!

Now is the time to pull out that heavy-hitting lotion that provides a protective barrier to the skin on your hands. One that contains Dimethicone, like Sally Hansen Dry Chapped Hand Creme, will trap in the moisture and prevent the outside elements from whisking it away. Apply before bed and slip on cotton gloves for an overnight treatment.

Tip: I always dot lotion on the back of my hand and press the back of my other hand to it, ensuring that the majority of the lotion gets on the area that needs it most.

Sally Hansen Dry Chapped Hand Creme

Step Up Your Cuticle Game

Oils are great on an everyday basis but when my cuticles are at their winter worst, I reach for a thicker formula like a cream or gel. I’m addicted to delicious scent of Sally Hansen Cuticle Rehab, I seriously want to lick my fingers, but beyond that, the gel formula melts like butter. And a thick cream like Sally Hansen Cuticle Massage Cream is a hair masque for your cuticles. It’s thick, rich and really sinks in to hydrates the skin.

Sally Hansen Cuticle Massage Cream & Cuticle Rehab

Treat Your Nails Right

We all have our tried-and-true base coats for long-lasting wear but, they can leave your nail beds as dry as the Sahara. Incorporate a moisturizing treatment, rich with oils and proteins, to inject life back into your nails.

Sally Hansen Complete Care Extra Moisturizing 4-in-1 Nail Treatment

How do you keep your hands and nails moisturized throughout the winter? What are your go-to products or tips for braving this cold, arid season?

The Sally Hansen products featured are available at drugstores and mass retailers nationwide. For more info, visit SallyHansen.com.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Sally Hansen. All opinions are my own. Product samples were provided by reps for Sally Hansen. For more info view my Disclosure Policy.