Winter is on the way, and with it comes colder temperatures and lower humidity. While cosy weather is welcome, your hands might not agree! Dry, chapped, and even cracked skin are common issues when the air gets chilly and indoor heating kicks in. But with a few simple hand care habits, you can keep your skin soft and protected all season long.

Why Winter Is Tough on Your Hands

Hands are constantly exposed to the elements, making them especially vulnerable in winter. Cold air, wind, and indoor heating strip away natural oils, often leading to dryness and irritation. Starting a winter hand care routine early can prevent these common issues. Kroko, a leading South African manufacturer of skincare products, has shared the do’s and don’ts to keep your hands soft and smooth this winter.

Kroko’s Do’s and Don’ts of Winter Hand Care

1. Don’t Use Hot Water

It’s tempting to warm up by washing your hands in hot water, but this can strip away moisture. Stick to lukewarm water to avoid drying out your skin.

2. Do Moisturise Often

After washing, apply a rich hand cream—ideally with UV protection—to lock in moisture. Keep a moisturiser next to your sink for easy access.

3. Do Choose Gentle Soaps

Harsh soaps can make dryness worse. Use gentle, moisturising hand soaps that clean without stripping your skin’s natural barrier.

4. Do Wear Gloves

Gloves are your best friend in winter! Wear them outdoors to protect from cold winds, and indoors when cleaning or washing dishes to avoid harsh detergents.

5. Do Exfoliate (But Gently!)

Exfoliate your hands once a week with a mild scrub to remove dead skin cells. Over-exfoliating can damage your skin’s protective layer, so keep it light.

6. Do Stay Hydrated

Hydration starts from within. Drink plenty of water, even in winter, to help keep your skin supple.

7. Do Treat Cracks Quickly

Even with the best care, you may still suffer from cracked skin on the fingers or around your nails. Kroko’s FingerFix is a fast-acting, colourless solution that protects and helps heal cracked fingers without the fuss of bulky plasters. It’s ideal for anyone who works with their hands—whether you’re a chef, carpenter, doctor, someone who may need to wear latex gloves or just someone who suffers from dry hands in winter.

Keep Your Hands Happy This Winter

With a little extra care, your hands can stay soft and comfortable all winter long. For more information on Kroko FingerFix and other Kroko skincare products, visit www.kroko.co.za or email info@kroko.co.za, or follow Krokofootcare on Facebook or kroko_footcare on Instagram.

If you’re gearing up for a marathon, you’re probably deep into training, focusing on nutrition, and fine-tuning your gear. But here’s something you might be overlooking—your feet.

Foot health can make or break your race. Your feet take an absolute pounding over those kilometres, and ignoring them can lead to discomfort, injuries, or even the dreaded DNF (Did Not Finish). Not what you want after months of hard work!

Lynsey Hammond, MD of Kroko, South Africa’s trusted footcare brand since 1936, shares the top five foot woes long-distance runners face—plus practical tips on how to avoid them.

1.    Blisters and Chafing

Blisters are one of the most common complaints among long-distance runners. Caused by friction, heat, and moisture, they often pop up when shoes don’t fit properly or socks aren’t doing their job. What starts as a minor irritation can turn into serious pain hours into the race.

How to prevent it:

• Make sure your running shoes fit like a glove (without the pinch!).
• Choose moisture-wicking socks and avoid cotton ones.
• Break in shoes well before race day.
• Try using blister prevention balms or protective pads on hotspot areas.
• Kroko Foot Powder helps keep feet dry, reducing friction and the risk of blisters.

2.    Black Toenails

Also known as “runner’s toe,” black toenails happen when your toes repeatedly bump against the front of your shoes. The result? Bruising under the nail, blackened toenails, and sometimes even nail loss. Ouch!

How to prevent it:

• Ensure there’s enough space in the toe box of your shoes.
• Keep toenails trimmed short.
• Check your lacing—tight enough to keep your foot from sliding but not so tight you cut off circulation.

• Corns and Calluses

Corns and calluses are thickened, hardened layers of skin that develop due to repeated friction or pressure. While they are the body’s way of protecting the skin from the repeated friction associated with long-distance running, they can become uncomfortable or even painful for runners.

How to prevent it:

• Wear properly fitted shoes that reduce friction and pressure on the feet.
• Use cushioned insoles or pads to redistribute pressure.
• Keep feet moisturised to prevent excessive dryness.
• Regularly exfoliate to remove dead skin buildup.
• Consider using products like Kroko Corn and Callus Remover, Kroko CornFix, Kroko Medicated Corn Plasters, and Kroko Corn Protectors.

4.    Bunions

Bunions aren’t just something you inherit from grandma. Long-distance runners can develop these painful bony bumps on the joint at the base of the big toe, especially if shoes are too narrow or tight.