The winter months can take a toll on your skin, especially your hands, heels, and cuticles. Cold temperatures usually create less moisture in the air, while indoor heating systems further reduce humidity. Frequent handwashing also removes the skin's natural oils more quickly than the skin can replenish them. All of these factors lead to visible cracks: rough, flaky, and painfully tight skin that can’t be repaired with light lotions.
This article will focus on topical care and your skin's appearance, explaining why cracks occur and how CBD balms that support the skin barrier can improve your skin's comfort.
What Causes Cracked Skin on Hands, Heels, and Cuticles
Your skin barrier is made up of cells that keep moisture in and protect your body from environmental irritants and stress. When this barrier is compromised, you will see a rough skin texture, flaking, and a tight feel. The structure of the skin on your hands, heels, and cuticles makes it more susceptible to cracking.
Pressure and friction have worn down the thicker skin on your heels compared to your hands. Your hands are exposed to constant water and soap when you wash them. The protective layer over your cuticles is relatively thin, providing limited protection in the area.
Why Cracked Winter Skin Needs a Different Approach Than Dry Skin
Winter is taxing on dry skin, as there is insufficient moisture. Extreme moisture loss inevitably leads to cracked skin due to compromised protective barriers.
Lightweight lotions do not offer the needed occlusive support or protection for skin with compromised barrier function, as they evaporate quickly and typically remain on the surface for only a short period. For cracked skin, you should turn to balms that offer long-wearing, occlusive support and protection for areas of skin that are frequently under high stress or require more than temporary relief.
The thicker consistency of balms allows the creation of an occlusive barrier that seals in moisture and provides the cushioning protection needed through the wear and tear of handwashing, walking, and everyday activities.
Cracked Hands Treatment: Supporting Where Skin Works Hardest
Hands are typically prone to cracking during the winter months. Washing removes the skin's oils. Moisture is removed using sanitizers. When treating cracked hands, topical products must provide occlusive properties while also offering a flexible enough consistency to cushion the skin without feeling greasy.
Balms provide a protective shield on the hands by sitting on the skin's surface to form a barrier, and their thick consistency means they are sufficiently rich for visible comfort without absorbing into the skin too quickly. For hands with visible cracking, the occlusive effect of balms is far superior to continually applying lighter lotions.
Cracked Heels Remedy: Why Thickness and Occlusion Matter
Heels can crack easily because of the underlying structure of the heel; thicker skin is intended to withstand pressure and friction while you walk. The thickness of the heel allows moisture to be absorbed over a longer period, increasing the likelihood of deeper cracks when the body's normal barrier function breaks down.
Heel care from a cosmetic standpoint focuses on achieving a soft, smooth appearance, reducing flaking, and maintaining an even texture. Heels respond well to thicker balm-type products, as these provide the protective weight necessary to support thick, stressed skin. Unlike thinner lotions, which are quickly absorbed into the skin, balms create a sealing cushion to prevent moisture loss overnight.
Cuticles in Winter: Small Area, Big Discomfort
Cuticles cause significant discomfort during the winter months, drying out and cracking easily due to low oil levels and constant exposure to dry air and cold water. Although the area is small, cracked cuticles create a disheveled appearance. The cosmetic goal when addressing the cuticle is to achieve an even, smooth appearance while maintaining comfort.
Therefore, balms are a particularly good choice for cuticles, as their thicker texture helps them stay where they are applied and provides concentrated support. They represent a more practical option than oils or lotions for maintaining cuticle comfort throughout winter.
