The cold weather that winter brings can often cause dry and cracked hands. This can have a severe impact on your day-to-day life and, in many cases, your profession.
O’Keeffe’s Company has launched Working Hands hand cream in new value size jars that looks to guarantee relief for people who suffer from the affliction of dry hands this winter.
O’Keeffe’s Working Hands hand cream, is America’s best-selling hand cream. One of the reasons behind its success, in America and now in the UK, is the unique formula that was developed over 20 years ago.
The history of the company and its hand cream began in an arid region on the Californian border. Bill O’Keeffe was a rancher whose work was rigorous, physical and was based outdoors. The tough lifestyle took its toll on his, and his daughter’s, hands. Tara, seeing the pain caused by his chronically dry skin, was driven to develop a product that would work better than all the others they had tried, and would relieve her father’s severely dry, cracked skin.
Applying her skills as a pharmacist, Tara spent years creating and testing various formulations mixed in her kitchen. Many years later she developed the basic formula for what is now O’Keeffe’s Working Hands hand cream. Launching into the UK six years ago, the product provides relief for tradespeople, and for anyone who works with their hands, or those who simply suffer from dry skin.
So what is in the formula of Working Hands hand cream?
People who work with their hands are often exposed to the elements. Problems can arise when the combination of exposure to the weather and frequent hand-washing leaves the skin damaged.
The formula that Tara O’Keeffe developed for her father, was a hand cream that increased the moisture content in the hands by hydrating the skin and drawing moisture in. This replaced the lost moisture from frequent hand washing and exposure to the harsh winter weather.
The main point of difference in this hand cream, is what’s not in the formula instead of what is. The unscented, oil-free formulation contains a high concentration of glycerine. It pulls water in and doesn’t repel it, so that chapped and cracked hands get the moisture and hydration they need to get better.
O’Keeffe’s Working Hands five top tips to keep your hands healthy this winter:
The arrival of winter and the colder weather can often mean that dry and painful skin can develop on the hands. This can result in serious and painful problems that can limit simple day to day tasks and if your hands are one of your most important tools then this really isn’t an option.
Tip 1: Avoid frequent hand-washing and soap
If possible, avoid washing your hands too often, as frequent hand-washing can mean that you lose the natural vitamins in your skin. Avoid using fragranced soap. This will dry out your hands and, if you can, use moisturising soaps that are fragrance-free. If your job necessitates constant handwashing, make sure that you thoroughly rinse your hands and don’t leave behind any soap residue.
Tip 2: Don’t use hot air dryers
Hot air dryers will quickly and easily dry out your hands. After hand washing pat your hands dry with a paper towel before applying a moisturising hand cream.
Tip 3: Moisturise
Dry and cracked hands can be very painful and can have a detrimental effect on your work. To prevent this use a moisturiser regularly that helps skin retain moisture rather than repelling it. By applying O’Keeffe’s Working Hands Hand Cream after hand washing, and as you need it, you will not only repair your hands but you will protect them too.
Tip 4: Wear Gloves
We know that it isn’t practical to wear gloves all the time, however if you can wear gloves you will be protecting your skin from the elements. O’Keeffe’s Working Hands doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals and is non-greasy, therefore you can wear your gloves straight after application and the inside of your gloves won’t get damaged.
Tip 5: Soak your hands in the evening
Although this may sound over the top; soaking your hands in the evening will reintroduce moisture into the skin which could have been lost throughout the day. Place your hands in warm water for about 10 – 15 minutes then exfoliate to get rid of any dead skin. Dry thoroughly, apply hand cream and if possible wear cotton gloves to really give your hands an overnight moisturising boost.
The original O’Keeffe’s Working Hands 96g jar is now joined by a 193g value sized one, and for further information click here.