My skin doesn’t like UT, help!

Ever since I moved to SLC my skin has gotten really worn down… pink weeping fingertips near constantly. Back home in NorCal it’s not much of an issue… maybe the climate? I also climb outside more here.

Even after several days rest it still gets worn quickly. Any suggestions? Soap, antihydral, gloves for dishes… I’m desperate.

I mean... do you wear dishgloves or use antihydral/Rhino stuff? Do you moisturize frequently with even normal moisturizer? 

Max Mathesonwrote:

I mean... do you wear dishgloves or use antihydrale/Rhino stuff? Do you moisturize frequently with even normal moisturizer? 

I found that frequent moisturizing actually made it worse.

Depending on where you came from in NorCal it could be the elevation change. Have you increased your daily water intake?

How often are you climbing outside now and how often were you climbing outside in norcal? If it's just your tips and no other part of your skin, the rocks are probably a big part of it

Climb Onwrote:

Depending on where you came from in NorCal it could be the elevation change. Have you increased your daily water intake?

How does water intake affect skin? Elevation/intake is the same. 

Have you considered becoming Mormon?  They seem to have pretty good skin or so I hear.

Don't want to dissuade you from converting to Mormonism, but... the water can be very hard here. Having a water softener helps. Maybe use a more targeted hand product like dermatone or various climbing balms. 

in shallahwrote:

Don't want to dissuade you from converting to Mormonism, but... the water can be very hard here. Having a water softener helps. Maybe use a more targeted hand product like dermatone or various climbing balms. 

I am Mormon  
hard water? So the stuff in the water pulls moisture out your skin?

Had a similar issue moving from SF to NV. Had to switch from a blend of drying/hardening to almost purely rhino repair multiple times a day to have similar quality skin. Collagen and doubling down on hydration was a big help too recently. Wear gloves doing the dishes too. Lame, but helps

John Clarkwrote:

Had a similar issue moving from SF to NV. Had to switch from a blend of drying/hardening to almost purely rhino repair multiple times a day to have similar quality skin. Collagen and doubling down on hydration was a big help too recently. Wear gloves doing the dishes too. Lame, but helps

Constant moisturizing actually made it worse 

Bb Cc wrote:

Focus on your feet?

lolz

Bb Cc wrote:

Focus on your feet?

The worst of it has been foot intensive slab actually. Razor blade crimps haven’t helped…

Try cutting that white powder addiction. Just say no.

Time?

Moved from western WA’s Puget Sound Area to Albuquerque 23+ years ago.  It took about a year for the cracked fingers, nose bleeds, etc. to subside.  This was before I started rock climbing on more than just scrambles. 

Seth Bleazardwrote:

The worst of it has been foot intensive slab actually. Razor blade crimps haven’t helped…

Focusing on your feet won’t help your skin much…it’ll likely improve your climbing, but I really don’t see it giving me better skin. I’ve had a lot of success with both climbskin and rhinoskin repair after climbing/the night before climbing. 

Not Not MP Adminwrote:

Focusing on your feet won’t help your skin much…it’ll likely improve your climbing, but I really don’t see it giving me better skin. I’ve had a lot of success with both climbskin and rhinoskin repair after climbing/the night before climbing. 

Will those harden skin?

Seth Bleazardwrote:

Will those harden skin?

If you’re just trying to “harden” skin then antihydral is the answer. My reply was more regarding to footwork and skin recovery. If I climbed exclusively outside I would likely antihydral. 

You should really only be using antihydral if you have very sweaty hands, otherwise it's going to dry your skin out and make it even worse.  I have very dry skin, especially in the winter, so I can offer my advice on my tried-and-true routine. 

After climbing, either shower right away or wash your hands well, and then sand the tips with a light sandpaper to remove excess skin. If you have any "skin tags" or excess callus buildup, trim it away with a toenail clipper or something similar (from the photo you posted, your middle finger needs a lot of trimming around that hole, as does your pointer).  Sanding and cleaning off the excess is going to help your skin regrow and stay malleable.  

Every night I use Climb On (or something similar, Rhino Repair, whatever).  I do agree that using normal hand lotion makes my skin worse, no idea why.  

Also, there will be times in the winter where my tips are pure glass and won't stick to anything. A good hack I discovered is to pour out about a teaspoon worth of olive oil into your palm (about the size of a quarter), and then a similar amount of sugar.  Wash your hands with this solution for about 2 minutes, and then wash with soap and water. Your tips will be instantly tacky and sticky.  Do this the night before climbing. 

I've also found the Rhino Spit solution to be very helpful pre-climbing to help the skin get more malleable and tacky.  

Other than that, sounds like your skin is just getting used to the new rock, but it will adjust if you take care of it.  Sanding seems to be counter-intuitive if it's already raw and sore, but it will help the skin regrow faster and more healthy.  If you have very, very sweaty hands then I don't know....

What part of Utah you living at?  What rock you climbing on? Wash the chalk off your hands before you get to your car. 

Rock canyon & LCC