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Home » Tasty Tips » Kitchen Tips » How to Prevent Dishpan Hands

How to Prevent Dishpan Hands

May 15, 2017 By Katie Moseman 24 Comments

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This preventing dishpan hands shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser.  All opinions are mine alone. #GentleHydration #CollectiveBias

Got dishpan hands?  Not anymore!  Prevent dishpan hands by following these easy steps.

Got dishpan hands? Not anymore! Prevent dishpan hands by following these easy steps from the chief cook and bottle washer of a popular food blog.

How to Prevent Dishpan Hands

Do you wash a lot of dishes?  I do, too, even though I have a dishwasher.  There are always plenty of items that aren’t really suitable for the dishwasher for one reason or another.  Some are hand wash only, while others might have burned-on food that wouldn’t come off in the dishwasher.  I end up washing those by hand in the sink.

Since I have remarkably dry and sensitive skin, washing the dishes by hand does my skin no good at all.  It exacerbates the existing dryness and irritation.  However, with the help of Cetaphil® Moisturizing Cream, I’ve created a list of ways to help prevent dishpan hands.

Remove jewelry

Wedding ring

Jewelry, soapy water, and skin are not a good combination.  Wet jewelry will chafe against your skin, trapping moisture and soap residue.  Remove hand and wrist jewelry before washing the dishes—even wedding rings!

Start with cool or slightly warm water

Running water at the sink

I know, I know; we’re all used to cranking the hot water up all the way in order to get those dishes clean.  However, hot water will rapidly dry out your skin.  Turn the tap to cool or warm, not hot, to prevent irritation and dryness.

Switch dish soap

Got dishpan hands? Not anymore! Prevent dishpan hands by following these easy steps from the chief cook and bottle washer of a popular food blog.

You might have a favorite brand, but maybe that favorite brand is actually making the problem worse.  Look for a moisturizing dish soap that’s gentle on hands.

Wear gloves

Got dishpan hands? Not anymore! Prevent dishpan hands by following these easy steps from the chief cook and bottle washer of a popular food blog.

I will confess that, for years, I avoided this obvious step.  Gloves felt weird and sticky, so I skipped wearing them.  No more!  Wearing gloves prevents the water and soap from washing away all the moisture in your skin.  You can use disposable gloves or reusable gloves, whichever you prefer.

Take a break from washing dishes

Are you the chief cook and bottle washer?  Don’t be.  The more time you spend washing the dishes, the worse your dishpan hands will get.  Go put your feet up, have a white chocolate brownie, and delegate the dishes to someone else for a while.

White Chocolate Brownies

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize

Got dishpan hands? Not anymore! Prevent dishpan hands by following these easy steps from the chief cook and bottle washer of a popular food blog.

Keep a quality moisturizing cream on hand (literally) at all times.  Make it a habit to apply moisturizing cream frequently throughout the day.

Got dishpan hands? Not anymore! Prevent dishpan hands by following these easy steps from the chief cook and bottle washer of a popular food blog.

I like to use Cetaphil® Moisturizing Cream because it’s a quick-absorbing cream that provides immediate and long-lasting hydration.  You can pick it up at Target, where it’s easy to find on the skincare aisle and also on the aisle endcap display.

Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream at Target

Its mild, fragrance free formula is non-irritating for sensitive skin, which makes it perfect if you have sensitive skin like I do.  Extra-strength emollients and humectants clinically proven to bind water to the skin and prevent moisture loss.  Plus, this cream can be used on hands, feet, elbows, knees, and any other areas that require intensive moisturization.

Got dishpan hands? Not anymore! Prevent dishpan hands by following these easy steps from the chief cook and bottle washer of a popular food blog.

Visit the Social Hub here for more Cetaphil® inspiration, and follow Cetaphil®  on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

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Comments

  1. robin rue

    May 15, 2017 at 12:42 pm

    Cetaphil is the best. My son has eczema and we use it on his hands. It works so well.

    Reply
  2. Jenn JG

    May 15, 2017 at 12:43 pm

    I am doing it all wrong, I leave jewelry on and use super hot water. Thanks for the tips, I am going to switch it up and see if I see a difference in my hands along with the cream you suggest

    Reply
  3. Jessica Taylor

    May 15, 2017 at 1:08 pm

    I try to wear gloves as often as possible. However since that isn’t always possible I’ll definitly moisturize more!

    Reply
    • Duane

      February 3, 2023 at 12:48 am

      Me too cause the water gets into your gloves!

      Reply
  4. Ana De- Jesus

    May 15, 2017 at 1:33 pm

    I get Dishpan hands as well and they can get really sensitive. I like the sound of the moisturizer and it would be great if it could prevent against dishpan hands x

    Reply
  5. Shannon

    May 15, 2017 at 2:12 pm

    Such an awesome in-depth tutorial! Thank you for solving such a small,yet annoying problem!

    Reply
  6. Erin

    May 15, 2017 at 2:21 pm

    I am a huge Cetaphil fan for this very reason. When you wash your hands as often as I do, especially in the winter, they dry out so quickly. They become itchy and uncomfortable. It’s a great way to take care of it.

    Reply
  7. Amber Myers

    May 15, 2017 at 3:31 pm

    Thank you for this! I hate dishpan hands–or when my hands get dry in general. I need to pick up some Cetaphil!

    Reply
  8. Claudia Krusch

    May 15, 2017 at 11:14 pm

    I need to pick up some Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream. My hands got really dry this winter and they are not getting any better.

    Reply
  9. Sincerely Ophelia

    May 15, 2017 at 11:56 pm

    Great minds thik alike. I love cetaphil. It’s very budget friendly and does what it promises!

    XOXO //
    SINCERELY OPHELIA | NYC Petite Fashion Blogger

    Reply
  10. Kandace

    May 16, 2017 at 12:22 am

    With five kids, three meals a day, and two snacks I need to suck it up and get some gloves. Dishes are never ending. You’re right, though, they do feel super weird. LOL.

    Reply
  11. Lisa Peele @ Wonderling

    May 16, 2017 at 2:42 am

    I am so terrible.. I need to go out and buy gloves as my hands are so dry. despite the three tubes of hand cream that accompany me everywhere!

    Reply
  12. Jenni Petrey

    May 16, 2017 at 8:08 am

    Thanks for this, some really great tips. Unfortunately for me I have inherited my grandmothers skin type and the only thing that helps me is copious amounts of moisturiser!

    Reply
  13. Elizabeth O.

    May 16, 2017 at 12:38 pm

    It’s good to be able to take care of your skin despite having to do chores. I think these are great tips. My favorite would be taking a break, lol!

    Reply
  14. bel

    May 16, 2017 at 4:40 pm

    I think moisturizing would be the answer for me. I’ve already destroyed my hands. There’s no turning back now

    Reply
  15. Sandra crespo

    May 16, 2017 at 10:11 pm

    I remember growing up my mom could not live without her gloves when washing dishes and she still can’t!

    Reply
  16. Rebecca Swenor

    May 17, 2017 at 6:11 am

    These are awesome tips for preventing dishpan hands. It is so important to keep your hands from drying out I believe. I love using creams vises lotions on my hands for some reason. The Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream I have not yet tried so I will have to pick some up at Target. Thanks for sharing the tips.

    Reply
  17. Cristina Leau

    May 17, 2017 at 10:04 am

    I know I should remove my rings when washing dishes, but I don’t. I think it’s because I will forget to put them back on :)). My skin is dry in winter mostly, from the cold, so actually washing dishes kinda helps my hands. The cream thing, I understand. I have one in every room, and at the office as well.

    Reply
  18. Hey Sharonoox

    May 17, 2017 at 4:39 pm

    I wash dishes without gloves on. I know it’s bad habit. I’m checking out the moisturizing cream. I heard so many good things about this brand.

    Reply
  19. Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen

    May 18, 2017 at 4:25 pm

    I’ve switched dishwashing soap to prevent dishpan hands. I found out that the current one I’m using is causing my hands to be super dry.

    Reply
  20. Tione

    May 22, 2017 at 5:44 pm

    I’m sitting here trying to figure what is dishpan hand, anyhow I love using Cetaphil as a moisturizer especially for my face.

    Reply
  21. Wilton

    August 18, 2021 at 10:04 am

    Thank you for the information but my concern is my nails hand washing my dishing keeps my fingernails soft and brittle they are always splitting

    Reply
    • Katie Moseman

      August 18, 2021 at 2:40 pm

      Try gloves. That’s what really worked for me.

      Reply
  22. JAUQUESLA Ross

    August 30, 2021 at 11:19 am

    Thank you

    Reply

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