While hand washing is one factor that can cause dry skin, another factor that contributes is ambient humidity. I started keeping my living space between 40 and

While hand washing is one factor that can cause dry skin, another factor that contributes is ambient humidity. I started keeping my living space between 40 and 50 percent relative humidity, and the dry skin on my hands from frequently washing them went away. Keeping your living environment properly humidified also keeps other parts of your body like mucous membranes hydrated which helps prevent disease, so it's really a win-win.