I spend most of my days baking brownies and cookies, but I might as well be shucking corn by the way my hands look after it’s all said and done. When I decided to bake professionally, I had no idea about the consequences it would have on many areas of my life — and body. The first thing to go was the condition of my hands. After stirring batter, washing dishes, cutting paper, sealing boxes and filing paperwork my hands have officially turned to sandpaper. I have always had a bottle of Curel extra-dry-super-severe-your-hands-are-ugly lotion on my bathroom counter, but that wasn’t cutting it anymore. Even with Curel my hands became so rough they would snag on my clothes, but I’ll spare you the details.
Andrew, being a fountain of good ideas (and probably tired of having a girlfriend with sandpaper hands), suggested I look for something called “Hand Salve” at the store. We searched for it, but instead came upon something called Corn Huskers Lotion. The selling point for me was that the lotion promised it would “sooth the discomfort of irritated, chapped, or cracked skin.” This was important since my hands were so raw even contact with regular water made them sting (using Curel became like rubbing alcohol on a wound.)
I immediately went home and poured this Corn Huskers Lotion all over my hands and let out a big sigh of relief. It was as if I was a burn victim that found a big tub of ice to jump into. The amazing part is that the lotion is not oily at all, and felt more like rubbing a cool cloth on my hands. This lotion is pure heaven, and my hands have started to turn back to a normal state once again. After a round of baking I still get rough spots, but at least I can continue on without feeling like an alligator.
Corn Huskers Lotion
(made by Pfizer)
Available at CVS and most drug stores for under $5
That’s a great tip! My hands are currently in that scratchy state now and I was wondering what to do as nothing would work. I’ll buy some of that today!
I love Corn Husker’s Lotion! When I lived in North Dakota it was the only thing that kept my skin from being horrible, dry itchy and scaly in the winter! I like its smell, kind of reminds me of babies.
Yes yes! I understand. In fact flour is so dreadful for your skin many bakers become allergic to it! (OSHA considers flour to be similiar to asbestos in that once it goes to your lungs, it stays there.)
I have a regimen with my hands. I go to health food stores for salves emulsified with olive oil, and try to put it on before sleep.
For in the kichen I keep a trial size of Kiehls (yellow) rich lotion, and to protect my face when I am doing a lot of dough work, Kiehls facial moisturizer. What’s also important is that what you have on your hands is food-safe…
Well that is a good tip! I don’t want my sister feeling like an alligator. I deal with boxes all day at work, when you come to visit next month, bring it I wanna try!
I’ve seen this before in the stores, but didn’t believe it worked. Now that you’ve tried it and have great results, I think I’ll pick up a couple of bottles and keep one at work.
Thanks!
Thanks for the tip - I’ll definitely give this a try. I have a terrible time with my hands, particularly this time of year. I’ve heard of this stuff before, but had no idea what is was. Thanks!
Oh Kelli I feel your pain (daily in fact)
This is a great tip!
I cringe every time I have to shake someones hand or give them change for fear they will feel my sandpaper hands. It’s hard to find anything that is foodsafe. I even thought of using buttercream as lotion
It works brilliantly! Thanks for the recommendation! The funny thing is that I remember seeing this in my dad’s medicine cabinet when I was younger, I always thought it was men’s aftershave lotion
Little did I know that one day I’d be using it as a miracle moisturizer for my hands…hallelujah!!!
It’s so funny to read about everyone’s attempts at taking care of their hands. I guess we’re all in the same spot. I’m glad this product worked for some of you too. I never usually put on anything while baking, I just assume it will get washed off within 5 minutes so I’d rather wait until I’m done for the day.
I’m glad you found something to soothe your hands. Who knew what the hazards of being a baker could be?!? Even better than you don’t have to look for it in “Fine Stores” & pay a fortune!
Kelli:
CHL is a great find! I worked for years outdoors and used it then, but as I moved East from the Midwest and changed careers, couldn’t find it out here. Now I work in the medical profession and have found it again…fantastic to use after cleaning and using harsh chemicals (don’t care what they say about the gloves not drying your skin…pfft). SO good in fact I have got 3 friends in Australia now hooked on it as I took it with me on vacation earlier this year (for my feet as I walk barefoot too much, it was a Godsend). Highly recommended!!