Hand Cream in Summer: Light Hand Care Between Sun and Water
Hand cream in summer? Many people associate hand care with chapped winter hands. Yet your hands have just as much to deal with in the warm months: sun on the backs of your hands, salt and chlorinated water, sand, gardening and frequent hand washing. At the same time, hardly anyone likes sticky fingers in the heat. In this article we show you how light hand care works in summer: with the right amount, at the right time and together with sun protection.
Contents11
- What hands have to cope with in summer
- Light hand care in summer: what does it mean?
- Which hand cream suits summer
- When to apply hand cream in summer
- Hand cream and sun protection in summer
- Cuticles and fingernails in summer
- Hand cream on the go: beach, lake and holidays
- A beach day with hand cream in summer: what it looks like in practice
- The most common mistakes in summer hand care
- Conclusion
- Frequently asked questions
What hands have to cope with in summer
Your hands are almost always uncovered – in summer even more than usual. Typical stresses are:
- Sun: The backs of your hands get a lot of light when cycling, driving or at the beach and are often forgotten when applying sunscreen.
- Water: Swimming in a lake, the sea or a pool and then letting your skin air-dry can dry it out.
- Sand: Fine sand rubs against your hands, especially when digging with children or playing beach volleyball.
- Gardening: Soil, plants and tools put strain on the skin.
- Frequent hand washing: After barbecuing, after the beach, after sunscreen – soap and water strip oils from the skin.
- Sweat: Damp hands do not look dry, but the skin can still be.
The result: even in summer, hands often feel rough or tight, especially on the knuckles and around the cuticles.
Light hand care in summer: what does it mean?
When it comes to hand cream in summer, “light” is less about a particular formula and more about a habit. Three things matter:
- The amount: In hot weather, a pea-sized amount is enough for both hands during the day. Anything more just sits on the skin.
- Massaging it in: Spread it thoroughly, including between your fingers and over the backs of your hands, and let it absorb briefly.
- The timing: A little during the day, more in the evening. Apply the richer portion when you no longer need to touch anything.
An honest note: according to their product descriptions, our two VEGAN FOX hand creams are rich creams, not extra-light summer lotions. They still work well in summer – simply use a small amount during the day and a little more in the evening.
Which hand cream suits summer
In our shop we carry two vegan hand creams from VEGAN FOX, both 120 ml. According to the product information, this is how they differ:
| Hand cream | What’s inside | Manufacturer’s description | Our suggestion for summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand cream with mango butter & avocado oil | Mango butter, avocado oil, calendula, chamomile; 99 % of natural origin | rich, for dry and stressed hands | A small amount during the day, after swimming and after gardening |
| Hand cream with shea butter & macadamia | Shea butter, macadamia oil, aloe vera; 98 % of natural origin | “our richest hand care” | In the evening, when your hands feel tight after a day at the beach |
Both creams are vegan and, according to the manufacturer, intended for daily use as needed. According to the ingredient list, they contain no UV filter – more on that in a moment.
When to apply hand cream in summer
There are more occasions in summer than in winter – but each time with a smaller amount. An overview:
- After swimming: First rinse off salt or chlorine with clear water, dry your hands, then massage in a small amount.
- After washing your hands: Especially if you wash often, a small dab each time helps.
- After gardening: Clean your hands thoroughly, remove soil from under your nails, then apply cream.
- In the evening: The more generous portion, ideally as a little hand massage. You will find instructions in the article Hand massage with hand cream.
- After the sauna: Dry your hands well and apply a small amount to hands and cuticles – this is also the tip given for both products.
Hand cream and sun protection in summer
The back of the hand is one of the areas most often forgotten when it comes to sun protection. Yet it is constantly exposed when driving, cycling or at the beach. Because our hand creams contain no UV filter, you also need sunscreen on sunny days.
How to combine both in everyday life:
- Care first in the morning: Massage in a small amount of hand cream and let it absorb.
- Then sun protection: Apply sunscreen to the backs of your hands and fingers – it is the final layer.
- Reapply after washing your hands: Water and soap wash sunscreen off. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, reapply to the backs of your hands after every wash.
- Wash off in the evening: Wash off sunscreen thoroughly and then apply the richer hand care.
You can read how to remove sunscreen from your face thoroughly in the evening in the article Washing off sunscreen in the evening.
Cuticles and fingernails in summer
Water, sand and sun also dry out the cuticles. They become cracked and tear more easily. A simple tip: when applying cream, massage the remainder specifically into your cuticles instead of just rubbing your palms. Do not cut cuticles; push them back gently after showering. When gardening, gloves protect nails and skin at the same time.
Hand cream on the go: beach, lake and holidays
A hand cream belongs in your beach bag in summer – but not in the blazing sun. According to the manufacturer, both creams should be stored in a cool, dry place and protected from direct sunlight. That means:
- Keep it in your bag in the shade, ideally in an inside pocket or wrapped in a towel.
- Do not leave it in a hot car.
- At home, do not store it on a sunny windowsill.
You can read more about how heat affects cosmetics in the article Storing cosmetics properly in the heat. For flights, separate rules apply to liquids in hand luggage – you will find the details in the article Cosmetics in hand luggage.
A beach day with hand cream in summer: what it looks like in practice
To make the tips tangible, here is a typical day at the lake or sea:
- Morning: A pea-sized amount of hand cream, let it absorb, then sunscreen on the backs of your hands and fingers.
- At the beach: After swimming, rinse your hands with clear water and reapply sunscreen. The hand cream stays in the shade in your bag.
- Midday: After washing your hands before eating, a small dab of cream, then sun protection again.
- Evening: Wash off sunscreen thoroughly, dry your hands and massage in a more generous portion – including the cuticles.
It sounds like a lot, but each step only takes seconds.
The most common mistakes in summer hand care
- Not applying cream at all: “I don’t need it in summer” – rough knuckles after a holiday often show the opposite.
- Too much at once: In the heat, a large portion stays sticky on the skin.
- Backs of the hands without sun protection: Hand cream does not replace sunscreen.
- Not rinsing off salt and chlorine: Rinse with clear water first, then apply care.
- Cream in the sun: Heat is not good for the texture.
You will find all our vegan care products in our care products collection. By the way, the Nourishing hand cream is also part of the head-to-toe care set.
Related reading: Hand care in winter: routine, gloves and the right hand cream · Hand massage with hand cream: a five-minute guide · Skincare after swimming: how to care for your skin after chlorine and salt water
Conclusion
Hand cream in summer does not have to feel heavy – it all comes down to amount and timing. During the day, a pea-sized portion after swimming or washing your hands is enough; in the evening you can use more. Because hand creams without a UV filter offer no sun protection, the backs of your hands also need sunscreen. And the cream stays in the shade. That way, your hands stay supple through the season between sun and water.
Frequently asked questions
Isn’t hand cream too heavy in summer?
Not if you use only a little. During the day, a pea-sized amount is enough for both hands. Apply the larger portion in the evening.
Does hand cream replace sunscreen on the hands?
No. According to the ingredient list, our hand creams contain no UV filter. On sunny days, the backs of your hands also need sunscreen.
Which comes first: hand cream or sunscreen?
The usual order is: let the care product absorb first, then apply sunscreen as the final layer.
How often should I moisturise my hands in summer?
A small amount after every swim and after frequent hand washing, a little more in the evening. Exactly how often depends on how dry your skin feels.
Can I leave the hand cream in my beach bag?
Yes, but in the shade. According to the manufacturer, the creams should be stored in a cool, dry place and protected from direct sunlight.
Personally written by Martin – founder of BeachAndSteam and sauna operator at Lake Kulkwitz for more than 18 years.