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For many of us, keeping our hands from getting dry and chapped in the winter feels like a nearly impossible task—even with gloves on. The season brings cold, dry air, which is often to blame for our rough skin, especially on our hands. We use our hands constantly throughout the day, wash them with soap and water multiple times, and often apply disinfectants that contain alcohol, which can dry out the skin even more, sometimes causing painful cracks.
Thankfully, skincare enthusiasts have come up with creative, effective solutions for issues like this, one of which is "hand slugging". In this article, we’ll explain exactly what "hand slugging" is and how it can help.
If you’re into skincare and follow social media for tips and tricks, you’ve probably heard the term “hand slugging” more than once. This practice has become especially popular on TikTok over the past couple of years, reappearing every winter as one of the most effective ways to combat dry skin.
"Hand slugging" actually stems from an ancient Korean skincare technique focused on deep hydration. The goal is to prevent trans-epidermal moisture loss by creating a protective barrier on the skin’s surface.
The slugging process is straightforward:
Cleanse: Start with clean hands.
Hydrate: Apply a hydrating product.
Moisturize: Add a heavy moisturizer of your choice.
Occlude: Lock everything in with an occlusive.
Rest: Let the products work overnight.
For hands, this method can make a big difference, especially during colder months or for those who frequently wash their hands.
The "hand slugging" technique is especially helpful for those dealing with eczema, chapped skin, or general dryness on their hands. Many people who practice it regularly, have reported numerous benefits, including:
By creating a moisture barrier, "hand slugging" helps keep skin soft, smooth, and hydrated—even in harsh winter conditions.
The skincare and beauty industries are always ready with solutions, but many of them are packed with unnecessary chemicals or come with a price tag that’s higher than we’d like.
The good news? You don’t need pricey products or complicated ingredients to try "hand slugging". Natural options can be just as effective, giving your skin the nourishment and protection it needs. Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to start "hand slugging" at home with natural ingredients you can find at Seven Minerals.
Begin with freshly washed hands. It’s important to remove any dirt or bacteria from your skin to avoid irritation or infection during the process. Once your hands are clean, you’re ready for the first step.
Before layering on moisturizer, it’s helpful to start with gentle exfoliation. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells, allowing your skin to absorb moisture more effectively.
How to use:
The coffee grounds provide mild exfoliation, while the coconut oil not only adds moisture but also infuses your skin with antioxidants. Coconut oil is great for dry skin thanks to its fatty acids, like lauric acid, which may help repair the skin's barrier and lock in moisture. Its occlusive properties keep skin hydrated longer, while its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits soothe irritation. It is also rich in Vitamin E, which nourishes, softens, and improves skin elasticity, making it perfect for keeping dry skin smooth and moisturized.
Once you're finished with the scrub, we'll move on to the second step: the aloe vera hydrating hand mask. Aloe vera is well-known for its calming and hydrating properties. It’s also lightweight, making it a perfect base layer for "hand slugging".
How to use:
Aloe vera is perfect for dry skin because it’s highly hydrating and packed with vitamins and minerals that nourish the skin. It has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, helping to calm irritation and reduce redness. Aloe also promotes skin healing, making it great for dry, cracked hands. Its lightweight texture absorbs quickly, leaving skin feeling refreshed and moisturized without a greasy residue.
The third step introduces Sweet Almond Oil into the "hand slugging" routine as a great source of vitamins and fatty acids that can nourish and hydrate the skin, making it an excellent choice for your next layer.
How to use:
Almond oil is excellent for dry skin due to its high vitamin E content, which helps nourish and hydrate the skin. It’s rich in fatty acids, making it great for locking in moisture and improving skin elasticity. Almond oil also has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help calm irritation and reduce redness. Its lightweight texture absorbs easily, leaving skin soft, smooth, and deeply moisturized—ideal if your hands are cracked or rough.
Next, we move on to the fourth step—extra moisturizing. This is where you apply a layer of cocoa butter, which not only smells amazing but also provides great benefits for dry hands. Seven Minerals’ Cocoa Butter is especially effective because it’s packed with magnesium and vitamin E, making it perfect for deeply nourishing and soothing the skin.
How to use:
Cocoa butter is deeply hydrating and helps improve skin elasticity and smoothness, thanks to its rich fatty acids and antioxidants. It creates a protective barrier, locking in moisture, making it perfect for very dry skin. Magnesium is another skin-friendly ingredient that not only enhances hydration but also reduces inflammation and supports the skin's natural barrier. It’s great for soothing irritation and even relieving muscle tension. Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant, nourishes the skin, helps calm irritation, and reduces the appearance of scars or dark spots. Together, these ingredients hydrate, protect, and promote healthy skin.
The final step in hand slugging is applying an occlusive layer. This creates a seal that locks in all the previous layers, forming a protective barrier to prevent moisture loss.
How to use:
The occlusive layer is crucial for effective “hand slugging”, as it helps trap moisture and keeps hydration from escaping. By adding this last step, you give your skin the time it needs to fully absorb all the nourishing ingredients you applied earlier.
Now that we know there are natural solutions that actually work, we can relax this winter without having to choose between dry, cracked hands that make us look older and spending hundreds of dollars on expensive products. Your hands deserve just as much care and attention as the rest of your body. So, once a week, when you take time to unwind, treat yourself to a self-care session at home. Try adding the hand slugging technique to your routine and enjoy the difference—you’ll start feeling it right away.
