As winter approaches quickly, it’s important to keep our hands moisturized and healthy. But did you know that hand lotion can be used for more than just keeping your skin soft?
From helping prevent rust on tools to treating leather shoes, there are many surprising uses for hand lotion that you may not have known about. In this blog post, we’ll explore 6 surprising uses for hand lotion you might not know, to get the most out of it…
What Is Hand Lotion?
Hand lotion is a type of topical moisturizing product designed to hydrate and nourish dry, cracked hands. It typically has an emollient base with added vitamins and oils to help lock in moisture and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and age spots on the skin.
Depending on the type, hand lotion can also contain ingredients such as shea butter, avocado oil, cocoa butter, almond oil or other plant-based extracts to soften skin while providing additional nutrients.
Some lotions come with added properties that target specific skin issues, such as eczema or psoriasis.
The purpose of hand lotion is to restore moisture levels in the skin by creating a barrier from environmental stressors.
In addition to this hydrating function, it’s also important for protecting against dirt and bacteria build up, which can cause infection if not removed properly.
Its antioxidant properties assist in slowing down premature aging caused by sun exposure, as well as regular washing of hands with harsh soaps that strip away natural oils from your skin’s surface.
Overall, using a good quality hand lotion will not only make you feel instantly softer, but it will also support healthy skin over time – keeping those hands looking youthful regardless of age.
What Are The Typical Ingredients Within Hand Lotions?
Hand lotions typically contain a blend of ingredients that serve to nourish, protect, and hydrate the skin.
They are formulated with different levels of hydration and oils depending on their intended purpose.
Commonly used natural oils such as cetyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate and aloe vera lend moisture to the skin while also preserving its natural oil balance when you use a hand cream.
Other ingredients in hand lotion may include;
- vitamin E for antioxidant protection
- olive oil for softening dry skin
- chamomile extract to soothe irritation
- shea butter for moisturizing
- sunflower seed oil for restoring the skin’s protective barrier
- avocado oil for replenishing greasy skin
- rosehip seed oil to correct signs of aging
- and jojoba wax to lock in moisture.
In addition, various types of essential oils present in hand lotions serve as fragrances while offering antiseptic properties. Now, let’s take a look at the different ways you can use hand cream…
6 Surprising Uses For Hand Lotion You Might Not Know
Use Hand Lotion On Your Lips
Using hand lotion on your lips is a great way to keep them hydrated and healthy if you’ve run out of lip balm.
Hand lotion does contain a number of moisturizing ingredients, such as lanolin and glycerin, which can help soften and nourish your lips.
It may also include some fragrances or essential oils that might give an added boost of protection against dryness.
However, it’s important to use a mild hand lotion with minimal additives like parabens, phthalates, and sulfates when using it on your lips.
These additives have been linked to health problems such as skin irritation or even cancer. Additionally, even the most gentle of products can be irritating if used too frequently, so should only be used sparingly when you don’t have alternative options available.
You can also apply other materials like petroleum jelly or olive oil for added moisture and protection from harsh weather conditions.
Use Hand Lotion As Shaving Cream
Hand lotion can be a great alternative to shaving cream when you’re in a pinch. Best used on areas with light beard growth, lotion is a great way to provide the necessary lubrication needed for a close, irritation-free shave.
To use hand lotion as a shaving cream, start by washing your face or other areas with warm water and allowing the skin to become wet and soft.
Choose a good quality hand lotion that contains natural ingredients like aloe vera, cocoa butter, or avocado oil for maximum moisture.
Spread the hand lotion evenly over your skin, making sure it covers all of the hairs to ensure an even shave.
Once applied, let it sit for about 60 seconds before beginning to shave in small circular motions, rinsing your razor after each stroke and ensuring that you don’t press too hard against your skin.
When finished, rinse off any remaining residue from your skin with cold water followed by moisturizer to lock in hydration of your newly shaven skin area and protect against any possible irritation from shaving.
To keep bacteria away from open pores post-shave, try using witch hazel as an astringent or heavily diluted rub alcohol on cotton pads.
Use Hand Lotion To Unstick A Zipper
Using hand lotion to unstick a stuck zipper is an easy hack that anyone can do. All you need is some hand lotion, such as Vaseline or baby oil, and a cotton swab.
Begin by placing a few drops of the liquid onto the cotton swab and then dab it directly on the teeth of the zip.
Do this slowly and carefully so that you don’t end up getting any of the liquid into the inner mechanism of the zipper itself.
Let it sit for about five minutes before attempting to move it again with your fingers. The lubricating properties in these liquids will help to soften the metal parts of the zip, so they can slide against each other more easily and make movement easier.
Once you have let it sit for a few minutes, try moving it gently back and forth with your fingers until it starts to glide smoothly without sticking every now and again.
Continue doing this until all parts are slippy enough that you no longer experience any resistance when zipping or unzipping it.
If after several attempts result in failure, consider using a graphite based lubricant like those used on locks, which is less likely to damage fabrics or corrode metal parts than petroleum-based products like Vaseline or baby oil would over time.
Use Hand Lotion As Foot Cream or Overnight Foot Mask
Using hand lotion as a foot cream or overnight foot mask can help to keep your feet soft and smooth.
Start by washing and drying your feet thoroughly, then massage a generous amount of lotion onto both of your feet.
Use circular motions to work the lotion into your skin, paying special attention to any dry patches or areas of roughness.
Massaging will also help with circulation, making it easier for the lotion to penetrate deep into the dermis layer of skin.
Once you’ve applied the lotion, put on some lightweight cotton socks before heading off to bed.
This helps keep in moisture so that the cream can really get to work overnight – it enables you to use less product throughout the day too.
Wearing socks not only locks in moisture, but it also prevents you from staining any sheets or linens with oil from the lotion.
Along with using hand lotion as a regular foot cream, you can apply hand cream once a week for an intensive treatment that can bring amazing results. The next morning, when you take off your socks, you should be able to notice softer and smoother feet.
Use Hand Lotion To Treat Sunburn
Using hand cream and other forms of hand care can be an effective way to treat sunburns. Hand lotion is especially useful as it helps to hydrate the skin, which is vital for a speedy recovery from sunburn.
Applying a thick layer of lotion throughout the day will help keep the skin moist and prevent any further damage from occurring that could exacerbate the discomfort or cause blisters or peeling.
Certain ingredients present in many hand creams can help speed up healing time by providing relief from itching, burning sensations or other irritations associated with sunburn.
For example, aloe vera and oatmeal are often found in products specifically designed for treating sunburns due to their anti-inflammatory properties.
Other oils like coconut oil contain vitamin E that can also provide soothing relief while helping protect burnt skin from further irritation with its natural barrier.
To use hand lotion as a treatment for sunburns, simply massage gently into affected areas multiple times throughout the day until symptoms ease and skin begins to heal itself naturally.
Use Hand Lotion Mixed With Water In Spray Bottle As A Spray Body Lotion
Hand lotion is great for moisturizing your hands, but what about the rest of your body? You can use hand lotion mixed with water in a spray bottle to make your own spray body lotion.
This is especially helpful if you want to save space or don’t have the ability to carry around a large tub of body lotion with you.
It’s also good because it allows you more control over how much product you use on each area, which is especially important when traveling or trying out different products as part of a beauty routine. To make this personal DIY spray body moisturizer:
- Add 1/3 cup (80 ml) water and one tablespoon (15 ml) hand cream into a small bowl and stir together until thoroughly mixed.
- Pour the mixture into an empty travel-sized spray bottle, and spray over the skin, gently massaging the spray lotion into the skin.
- If you use the DIY body lotion spray after a shower or bath, on damp skin, it’ll give you even more intensive hydration benefits too.
Summary
As you can see, hand lotion is a beauty essential that you won’t want to leave home without. Whether it’s used alone or as part of a DIY beauty routine, this simple product can help moisturize and protect your skin while also offering surprising uses such as unsticking zippers and even treating sunburns.
So go ahead and stock up today – your hands will thank you. So, it’ll work as shaving cream, lubricant for unsticking zippers and as a foot or body lotion when you don’t have access to your regular products. The key is to choose the right type of hand cream with natural ingredients that won’t irritate or damage your skin.
Hi, my name is Gemma, and I’m the owner of MakeupMuddle.com. I’m a true beauty obsessive, and love writing about anything to do with beauty. In addition to Makeup Muddle, I also own GemmaEtc.com, and love sharing my thoughts and feelings about the greatest (and not so great) beauty products!