I want to do something about painful cracks and chapped skin! Proper hand care for winter.

"The impression people get from their hands is surprisingly memorable," says Ms. Saji. Indeed, we often use our hands to hand things over or point to things, so they are frequently visible to others. According to Ms. Saji, "When you hold something, simply keeping your fingertips together makes you look elegant, and slow, deliberate movements give the impression that you are a more composed person than frantic, hurried movements."

However, if those hands are rough, cracked, or chapped, the impression will instantly drop.
People might think you're tired or too busy to take care of yourself. You might also come across as somewhat matronly.

Ms. Saji herself had the experience of being surprised to find that the hands of a friend she usually thought were very beautiful were, contrary to her expectations, very rough.

"I once happened to look at the hands of someone who always wears perfect makeup and pays attention to their clothes, and they weren't the hands I had imagined from their overall appearance. I wondered if they had neglected their appearance because they were busy with work, or if they were older than I thought. Because I usually thought they were so lovely, those impressions stuck with me all the more strongly."

Since it's a part of the body that can have such a big impact on one's overall impression, it's natural to want to keep it looking nice at all times. But it's not easy to live a life where you never have rough, dry hands, is it?
We use water a lot for daily chores, and if you spend long hours working on a computer in a dry office or handling paper documents, your fingertips will quickly become dry and rough. Unlike your face, you can't hide it with foundation, so many people with sensitive skin that's prone to dry hands probably just accept it as "unavoidable in winter."

According to Ms. Saji, if hand dryness is not properly cared for, it will only get worse.

"Our hands are constantly exposed to the elements and often receive ultraviolet rays. Also, these days, we tend to wash our hands with hot water and soap more often, not only when doing housework or working, but also when simply washing our hands in our daily lives."
As a result, the skin loses more and more oil, and its barrier function weakens. If you don't take care of your skin as soon as you feel it's getting a little rough, the damage will only get worse.
"It's extremely difficult to treat cracks and chapped skin once they've formed," says Saji.

The most important thing when it comes to hand care is moisturizing. First, apply hand cream frequently. It's important to reapply hand cream every time you wash your hands.

To further enhance its effects, it's recommended to perform exfoliation and other skincare treatments.

"Dry, hardened skin has a thickened stratum corneum. If you apply hand cream in that state, it won't penetrate easily. Gently wash your hands with a scrub, gently pat them dry, and then first apply a toner. Then, apply hand cream, and you'll be amazed at how soft and moisturized your hands become," says Ms. Saji.

It's also recommended to improve blood circulation in your hands. This helps to flush out waste products and replenish nutrients.

"When you apply hand cream, gently massaging your hands helps the cream absorb better, killing two birds with one stone. Try massaging the webbing between your fingers with your other hand; your hands will feel a little warmer. By the way, the area between your index finger and thumb is called the 'Tiger's Mouth' acupoint, and the areas between the other fingers are called 'Interdigital Points'. You can also clench and unclench your fingers repeatedly while sitting at your desk or after finishing a chore. And don't forget to wear gloves when you go out."