The arrival of winter brings cozy sweaters and holiday cheer, but it also ushers in a season of dry, harsh air that can wreak havoc on your skin. For many, this means a flare-up of hand eczema, painful cracked knuckles, and generally dry hands in winter. The good news is that you don't have to surrender your skin to the cold. By adopting a proactive and natural approach, you can keep your skin healthy and comfortable all season long without the use of a tallow skin balm.

Prevention: Your First Line of Defense

Preventing winter skin woes is easier than treating a full blown dry skin flare-up. The goal is to lock in your skin's natural moisture barrier and protect it from the elements.

1. Moisturize Strategically

The key to preventing dry hands in winter is consistent and strategic moisturizing. This means applying a protective layer after every hand wash and before heading outdoors.

To maximize skin moisture overnight, apply your chosen paraben and tallow free product in the evening and wear cotton or silk gloves to bed. This routine will help you wake up with soft, silky skin that is better equipped to handle cold weather and harsh elements.

2. Guard Against the Cold

Cold air and wind are notorious for stripping moisture and resulting in dry hands in winter. Always wear gloves or mittens when you step outside. For those struggling with hand eczema, consider wearing cotton gloves underneath your outdoor gloves for extra protection.

3. Choose Gentle Cleansing

Avoid harsh soaps that contain sulfates and fragrances, as these can strip your skin's natural oils. Switch to a mild, pH-balanced cleanser, and try to use lukewarm water instead of hot water when washing your hands.

To keep your hands healthy and moisturized this winter, steer clear of products with parabens. These common chemical preservatives, often found in water-based skincare, have been associated with potential health risks such as hormone disruption, reproductive problems, and certain cancers. Check the ingredients list for any term ending in “-paraben” and avoid it. All products from Ora’s Amazing Herbal are guaranteed paraben-free.

4. Hydrate The Cells Inside Your Body

Protecting against dry skin starts from within, particularly when dry air and indoor heating deplete the body's moisture. While external treatments offer relief, consistent fluid intake throughout the day is vital. Adequate hydration is essential in preventing cracked knuckles and skin because blood and other bodily fluids naturally keep the skin moist. There's no need for expensive hydration supplements; herbal teas are a simple, warming way to boost electrolytes and minerals, supporting healthy skin and nails during colder weather. Here are a couple of teas that you can make to help keep your body and skin hydrated during the winter:

• Nettle Tea is high in vitamins and minerals like iron, calcium, and vitamins A, C, D, and K, which contribute to healthy skin and strong nails. 

• Rooibos Tea contains antioxidants and minerals like zinc and calcium, which are essential for skin, hair, and nail health. It also has alpha hydroxy acid, which helps with skin cell regeneration.

By adding nutrient dense tea to your daily regime, you are now able to prevent cracked knuckles and hands by hydrating your skin topically and internally.

Natural Treatment for Eczema and Cracked Skin

If you're already dealing with raw, cracked skin, it's time to turn to the healing power of nature. Many of our products are clean herbal infused alternatives to tallow and paraben products; at Ora's, we believe in supporting your skin with pure, potent botanicals straight from the earth. 

The Power of Calendula Oil

One of nature's most effective skin healers is Calendula officinalis.

Calendula Oil is derived from marigold flowers and is rich with anti-inflammatory and antiseptic skin healing properties. Here is a link to a review of various studies that demonstrate how Calendula helps heal damaged skin.

For painful cracked knuckles and itchy eczema, Calendula Oil can help:

• Soothe Inflammation: Reducing redness and irritation associated with hand eczema.

• Speed Healing: Promoting the regeneration of new tissue.

• Deeply Hydrate: Providing an emollient layer to lock in moisture.

We highly recommend using our Herbal Skincare products listed below to keep you from having anything but dry hands in winter. These herbal products are infused with high-potency calendula and are a great moisturizing alternative to a tallow skin balm and are all paraben free. Apply a thick layer to affected areas like your cracked knuckles before bed and cover with cotton gloves for an intensive overnight treatment.

What is Ora’s Base Oil?

The base oil is where the magic happens.  Ora's team begins with solvent-free, non-GMO, Italian grapeseed oil, which is then slow-infused over six weeks in dark, glass containers with a blend of six beneficial herbs: calendula, licorice root, comfrey, plantain, St. John’s wort, burdock root, and thyme. This meticulous process yields an oil that goes beyond simple hydration. It's rich in antioxidants and works to soothe inflammation while accelerating the skin's natural repair and recovery. To learn more about Ora’s base oil formula, you can read our blog post titled The Best Herbs for Eczema Care.

Consistent Care is Key

Treating hand eczema and severely cracked knuckles in winter requires patience and consistency. Establish a routine you can stick to, focusing on gentle cleansing and frequent, generous application of healing herbal balms and oils, especially those containing calendula oil. Ora’s Amazing Herbal products are crafted with sensitive and reactive skin in mind. Since they are paraben free and tallow free, you can confidently apply these products as much as you need without any worry of hormone disruption, chemical reactions, or super dry skin.

By choosing clean, plant-based alternatives like those from Ora's Amazing Herbal, you're not just surviving winter; you're giving your skin the pure, gentle nourishment it needs to truly thrive. You can enjoy soft, healthy hands all season long without the use of paraben or tallow based products thanks to the healing touch of Mother Nature.