Do you deal with the daily discomfort of dry, peeling skin on your hands and fingertips? If you do and you’re ready for the once-and-for-all solution to this daily struggle, then you’ll want to follow our guide that covers four surprising but effective and natural ways to get rid of peeling skin on your hands and fingertips.
From the well-known benefits of moisturizers to unconventional remedies like coconut oil soaks, green tea compresses, and hand exfoliation, this blog contains both must-have as well as little-known holistic tips on how to get rid of peeling skin and dead skin on hands fast!
Before we jump into the steps on how to get rid of peeling skin on fingers, we thought it might be useful for you to know what the causes of this dreaded skin issue is, so we’ll start there.
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Key Highlights We'll Cover:
👐 Everyday Causes — The cause for the peeling skin on fingers and hands may be something you're exposed to or due to something you perform on a daily basis.
👐 Underlying Causes — If you've ruled out that the root cause of your peeling hands is not due to your daily activities, then it may be a more serious cause that's hidden and that requires deeper investigation.
👐 Solutions — All hope is not lost on reducing the dry, peeling skin! Try these four simple and natural tips to help your skin recover quickly.
👐 FAQ — If there are any lingering questions that the article didn't answer, check out our FAQ to see if you can find more answers.
Everyday Causes of Peeling Skin on Fingers and Hands
The following causes of peeling skin on your hands are common, everyday reasons that may not be related to underlying issues. Later, we will go into more serious, diagnostic causes of peeling skin.
Sunburn
We’ve all experienced the joy of soaking up the sun for just a little too long and regretting it later when you realized you got sunburned. You don’t think it’s so bad until the next day and the following days, when your skin feels too painfully sensitive to even touch and then starts peeling like a bad paint job.
Climate and Temperature
Changing temperature and weather conditions can also be the source of peeling skin on your hands and fingertips, for both hot and cold weather. With cooler temperatures comes drier air, leading to drier skin. With hotter temps, especially for those who suffer from psoriasis or eczema, the summer heat can cause nasty flare ups!
For more information on how heat causes eczema flare ups, check this article out.
Chemicals
Sometimes peeling comes not from natural causes, but from irritation or dryness caused by chemicals in things we touch with our hands. Especially if you are involved in work that regularly exposes you to such chemicals, such as agriculture, manufacturing, construction, cleaning, and auto repair, you’ll want to take extra precautions in keeping your skin protected and clean during and after work.
Frequent Handwashing
Many jobs require frequent handwashing, such as healthcare workers, cleaners, chefs, and so on. While handwashing is important, if you are doing it so frequently that your hands are starting to become severely dried out and are peeling, then we recommend you use a non-drying kind of soap and also use a rich, hydrating moisturize after every washing.
If you don’t feel like the causes we listed above are what’s causing your peeling skin, perhaps the reason is something a little deeper. Check out this list to see if any of these may be what’s causing peeling skin on your hands, and consider consulting with a medical profession if you believe that you are dealing with one of these issues.
Underlying Causes of Peeling Skin on Fingers and Hands
Acral Peeling Skin Syndrome (APSS)
APSS is a rare, genetic skin disorder that’s inherited and causes the top layer of skin to peel and occasionally blister. The skin peeling most often affects the hands and feet, but it can also affect the arms and legs. The symptoms are usually present from birth, although some people start to develop symptoms in early childhood.
If you think you have this, don't worry — symptoms are typically mild and can easily be managed with a healing, hydrating skin moisturizer cream and ointments.
Dermatitis
Dermatitis is a general term used to describe inflamed skin. Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema and symptoms include dry, itchy, and inflamed skin on your hands and parts of your body where the skin flexes (i.e. neck, elbows, and knees).
If you think you have atopic dermatitis and want to know two essential methods for getting rid of it, check this article out.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a skin condition that involves getting patches of scaly and inflamed skin, most commonly on your hands. Although there is currently no known cure for psoriasis and the cause is still somewhat unclear, there are still actions you can take to remedy the symptoms. Try these 10 natural ways to reduce psoriasis symptoms!
From something as innocent as too much sun to something more severe, such as psoriasis and eczema, now that you have a basic understanding of what may be causing your hands and fingers to be peeling, let's go into what you can do to get rid of peeling skin on hands.
How to Get Rid of Excess Dead Skin and Peeling Skin On Your Hands
No need for expensive treatments or procedures to calm your dry, inflamed skin! From using affordable skincare products to applying natural home remedies, we'll provide you with four simple yet highly effective steps that will help rejuvenate and heal painfully peeling skin.
1. Moisturize
Okay, this one may not be that surprising, but we wanted to make sure we mention it first, because it truly is essential in getting rid of dry, peeling skin on your hands and fingertips. Moisturizers help reduce dryness and skin peeling on fingers by providing and retaining hydration in the outermost layer of the skin, also known as the stratum corneum.
- Moisturizers contain ingredients like water and glycerin, which provide the hydration necessary to maintain the skin barrier’s functions and prevent the water loss that causes dryness and peeling.
- You don't want to just use any old conventional lotion — the best lotion to really get rid of peeling hands is one that’s thicker and more hydrating than your average moisturizer. The Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream is a Japanese moisturizer that's not only extremely rich and hydrating, it also contains camphor, which is a naturally soothing ingredient that calms inflammation and irritation — ideal for if your hands and fingertips are peeling to the point of revealing raw skin.
- If your dry skin is particularly severe, we recommend moisturizing as often as possible, and especially after washing your hands or showering, to replenish any lost moisture immediately.
2. Coconut Oil Soak
Ah, we love a skincare ingredient that you can safely put both on your skin, as well as in your belly! If you really want to know how to heal peeling skin overnight, try coconut oil.
Contrary to popular belief, coconut oil does not actually moisturize your skin. It’s occlusive, so rather than sink into your skin, it sits on the skin’s surface and traps the existing moisture underneath it. Therefore, it’s important to still moisturize using an effective skin cream rather than relying only on this oil to keep your skin soft.
- Make sure to apply your moisturizing cream to your peeling fingertips before you dip them in coconut oil!
- The moisturizing magic in coconut oil lies in the lauric and linoleic acid that it contains, both of which help to kill bacteria on the skin, reduce inflammation, and soothe the skin. If you’re dealing with skin on your hands and fingertips that are peeling so severely that they are becoming raw and inflamed, then try soaking them in coconut oil to soothe and soften your skin.
- Here’s how to prepare the oil: Warm a small amount of coconut oil (although if you already live in a hot place, then the coconut oil might already be conveniently melted and ready to go!) and soak your hands in it for about 10-15 minutes.
3. Green Tea Compress
The Vitamin E in green tea is known for its ability to nourish, hydrate, and heal the skin. Green tea also contains anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce skin irritation, redness, and swelling. If your dry and peeling skin is resulting in these issues, then applying a green tea compress may help soothe your skin and heal it faster.
- Brew a cup of green tea and let it cool down
- Soak a clean cloth in the cooled tea and apply it as a compress to your hands for 10-15 minutes to get rid of finger skin peeling naturally
- Due to green tea’s antioxidant, anti-bacterial, and antimicrobial properties, it may also be effective in treating acne and oily skin.
4. Exfoliate
When it comes to exfoliating, most people assume that their exfoliator can only be used on their face or arms, but if you’re dealing with peeling skin on your hands and fingers, then using a gentle, yet effective scrub that has the right ingredients can work wonders for getting rid of the excess skin peeling off of your hands and fingertips!
How to remove dead skin from hands and fingers that are peeling:
- Gently exfoliate your hands and fingertips once or twice a week to remove the dead skin cells
- After about 30-60 seconds, rinse off with lukewarm water
- Cautions: Avoid exfoliating more than 1-2 times per week, as doing so may actually exacerbate the issue and don’t exfoliate your hands if they are at the point of being sensitive and raw from the peeling. Additionally, rinse off with lukewarm water — not hot water. Hot water tends to remove the natural oils and moisture from your skin and cause it to become even more dry.
- Pro Tip: Always follow up the exfoliation with a quality moisturizer to protect the fresh layer of skin you’ve just uncovered from the exfoliation session
And that’s how to get rid of dead skin on hands and peeling skin fast! Repeat each step regularly and you’ll see improvements in your skin in no time.
As with many skin issues, alleviating the discomfort of dry, peeling skin on fingers and hands can be a continuous journey that requires multiple different methods and much experimentation. By sharing with you the surprising remedies of coconut oil soaks, green tea compresses, and hand exfoliation, we hope to have provided you with the holistic, hydrating, and soothing tools you’ll need in your journey to get rid of the painful skin peeling on fingertips so that you can enjoy soft, healthy hands once again.
Remember, each person’s skin is unique, so if none of the ways we shared happen to work for your skin, we advise you to still continue to experiment and practice patience as you work towards uncovering the methods that work best for you. Through consistent application of a quality skin cream and exfoliating skin polish, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying soft, healthy skin.
If you want to try Yu-Be, you can try our free cream samples here!
FAQ
1. What causes peeling skin on hands and fingertips?
Peeling skin is often caused by dryness, harsh soaps, excessive handwashing, allergies, or skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis. Nutrient deficiencies and fungal infections can also be factors.
2. Can stress or anxiety cause peeling skin?
Yes, stress weakens the skin barrier, making it more prone to dryness and irritation. Stress-related habits like skin-picking and excessive washing also contribute.
3. How long does peeling skin take to heal?
Mild cases heal in a few days with proper hydration, while more severe conditions may take weeks. Using extra hydrating moisturizers speeds up recovery.
4. Is peeling skin a sign of a serious condition?
Usually, it’s harmless, but persistent or painful peeling may indicate eczema, psoriasis, fungal infections, or vitamin deficiencies.
5. Can using too much hand sanitizer cause peeling skin?
Yes, alcohol-based sanitizers strip natural oils, leading to dryness and cracking.
6. Should I exfoliate peeling skin?
Gentle exfoliation can help, but scrubbing too hard can worsen irritation. If your skin's condition is so severe that it's painful to the touch, physical exfoliation is best avoided and it's recommended to stick to soothing, thick moisturizers instead.
7. What are the best ingredients for healing peeling skin?
Look for glycerin, vitamin E, ceramides, urea, shea butter, and hyaluronic acid for deep hydration and barrier repair.
8. Can diet affect peeling skin?
Yes, deficiencies in vitamin A, E, B3, and omega-3s can lead to dryness and peeling. Eating leafy greens, nuts, fish, and eggs helps.
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