Problem with Dry Hands?

I am your typical germaphobe and I have been since the birth of my daughter almost five years ago. If you are like me then you can relate to suffering from dry hands due to frequent washing or disinfecting.  My hands would getting really dry that the mere touch from another person can sting.  There would be times that it would bleed (it would look like a paper cut to another person) so my life has been a daily uphill battle with dry hands.

I have tried numerous lotions that claim to cure dry hands like Mustela, Dove, Cetaphil, Physiogel, L'Occitane and Elizabeth Arden among others. I have even tried the Triple Moisturizing lotion from Bath and Body Works but still nothing works. Most of the would provide temporary relief but it won't last long.

I read an article that there are five (5) solutions to cure dry hands from frequent washing.

1. A pH balanced soap - We have all heard of this but what normal person would know what the pH is of your usual store bought hand soap.  I usually get Watson's or Bath and Body Works foaming or moisturizing soap and still I would suffer from dry hands by mid-day.  According to Discovery Fit and Health, the proper pH for a hand soap should be below 9. Unless you have a stash of litmus paper on your medicine cabinet, this might be a little harder to achieve.
2. Paraffin treatment - A weekly paraffin treatment is advised for those who suffer from dry hands but who has the money and the time to do this regularly? In Metro Manila, a typical paraffin treatment can cost around Php500 easy. 
3. Wear gloves - Personally, I hate the smell of rubber gloves and the medical grade gloves are a tad uncomfortable for my taste.
4. Hydrate - It's important to hydrate yourself to prevent your skin from loosing it's moisture.  I have to always keep this in mind since I have a bad habit of drinking plenty of soda, juices and tea. 



Photo from: http://www.echemist.co.uk

5. Moisturize - This is by far the most ideal solution for my situation but as I have mentioned I have tried many products but I haven't had one that helped until the family wen to Singapore last 2012.  I ran out of lotion and grabbed one from a local Guardian store. I used that during the course of the day and I was amazed by the results! It dramatically reduced the redness and flakiness and completely eradicated the discomfort.  What is this magic formula you say? It was Nivea Rescue & Care SOS Hand Balm.  I immediately ran back to the nearest Guardian store and bought myself a few more for in case it's not available back home and I was right! I looked high and low for this around Metro Manila but they do not carry this somehow. I will post more about my experience with Nivea SOS Hand Balm in the next few days.

Do you also suffer from dry hands? What treatment worked for you? Share it in the comments! I'd love to hear it!

~mtz~