A hand scrub lifts rough, flaky skin so your hand cream sinks in better. You don’t need an expensive product: sugar and oil from the kitchen will do. Here’s how we do it – and how to look after your hands afterwards.
The skin on the backs of your hands is thin, whereas the palms are often calloused. A mild scrub removes loose flakes of skin, smooths rough knuckles and fingertips, and makes sure the products you apply afterwards don’t just sit on the surface. It doesn’t replace hand care – it prepares for it.
| Recipe | Ingredients | For |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar and oil | 1 tsp fine sugar, 1 tsp almond or olive oil | All skin types, very mild |
| Honey and sugar | 1 tsp sugar, ½ tsp honey, ½ tsp oil | Dry hands in winter |
| Coffee grounds | 1 tsp dried coffee grounds, 1 tsp oil | Rough palms, slightly coarser |
| Salt and oil | 1 tsp fine sea salt, 1 tsp oil | Very calloused areas – not if you have small cracks, as it stings |
Rich, for overnight
According to the manufacturer, it contains 20% shea butter – applied thickly after a scrub, it works like an overnight hand mask.
What we like
Keep in mind
For rough knuckles
High glycerin content, goes a very long way. Ideal if your hands are still rough in places after the scrub.
What we like
Keep in mind
In a pot, with almond oil
A thick cream with almond oil – a good match for the sugar-and-almond-oil scrub, and it looks after your cuticles too.
What we like
Keep in mind
More to choose from: hand creams for dry hands and nail oil for your cuticles.
Once a week is enough for most people. For very tough, calloused skin, twice is fine. Any more often irritates the thin skin on the backs of your hands.
Yes – the easiest is one teaspoon of fine sugar and one teaspoon of oil. Always mix it fresh and moisturise afterwards.
With fine sugar and no pressure, usually yes. If you have eczema, small cracks or inflamed skin, skip it and just moisturise.
No. A scrub only removes loose flakes of skin. Pigmentation sits deeper – if you notice any unusual changes, please have them checked by a dermatologist.
