A Climber’s Hands: The Best Products for Skin Care

Gripping and pulling takes a toll on a climber’s hands. From gripping rough rock surfaces to the drying effects of chalk, your hands endure a lot. Without proper skin care, painful cracks, tears, and flappers can hinder your progress and keep you off the wall. After experiencing countless flappers and blisters from climbing, I’ve developed a routine that helps me avoid them altogether. Taking the right steps to care for them will allow you to climb longer, recover faster, and prevent common skin issues that can keep you off the wall.

A climber's hand with taped fingers gripping a chalked yellow climbing hold on an indoor wall, emphasizing injury prevention and technique.
A taped-up hand gripping a chalked indoor climbing hold, showing a workaround for a finger injury.

Table of Contents


1. Maintain Calluses Carefully

Calluses protect your hands but can become a problem if they get too thick or rough.

A climber carefully gripping a yellow hold on an indoor climbing wall, displaying concentration and effort.
A focused climber grasping a brightly colored handhold on an indoor wall.

How to care for calluses:

  • File Regularly: Use a pumice stone or callus file to gently smooth rough edges. It’s best to do this after a warm shower when your skin is softer.
  • Trim When Necessary: If a callus starts peeling or catching, trim it carefully with sanitized scissors.
  • Stay Consistent: File calluses at least once a week, or more if you’re climbing frequently.

I always keep a small file in my climbing bag for quick touch-ups. It’s a lifesaver when I notice rough spots mid-session.


2. Moisturize Often

Hydration is key to keeping your skin strong and flexible, reducing the chances of splits and cracks.

How to keep skin hydrated:

  • Use Climbing-Specific Moisturizers: Choose non-greasy balms made with natural ingredients like beeswax and aloe.
  • Moisturize After Climbing: Apply moisturizer after your session and before bed for deep hydration.
  • Avoid Lotion Before Climbing: Lotion can make your hands slippery and affect grip.
A climber with chalk-covered hands reaching into a red and black chalk bag, ready for their next climbing challenge.
A climber prepares for the next ascent by chalking up their hands, with climbing shoes ready for action.

I apply a thick layer of balm before bed, allowing my skin to repair overnight while I sleep.


3. Treat Flappers Immediately

Flappers—tears in your skin caused by friction—are inevitable, but proper care can speed up healing.

How to treat flappers:

  • Clean the Area: Gently wash with warm water and mild soap.
  • Trim Loose Skin: Use sanitized scissors to remove hanging skin.
  • Protect It: Cover with a breathable bandage or apply a liquid bandage to seal the wound.
A woman climbing a boulder outdoors, wearing red pants and focusing on a challenging route on natural rock with a crash pad below.
Beautiful young athletic girl climbing hard boulder problem in forest. Sport climbing, bouldering. Outdoor.

I always carry a liquid bandage with me; it helps me keep climbing even after minor skin injuries.


4. Use Chalk Wisely

Chalk improves grip, but too much can dry out your skin, leading to splits and flappers.

How to manage chalk use:

  • Apply Sparingly: Use just enough to manage sweat without over-drying your skin.
  • Try Liquid Chalk: It lasts longer and requires fewer reapplications.
  • Keep Your Own Bag: Avoid sharing chalk to reduce the risk of infections.
A climbing chalk bag tipped over on a wooden floor, spilling loose chalk, along with a small climbing brush.
A spilled bag of climbing chalk on a wooden floor, with a brush nearby—essential tools for a secure grip.

Switching to liquid chalk for warm-up routes has helped me avoid over-chalking and keep my hands from drying out too quickly.


5. Take Regular Rest Days

Just like your muscles, your rock climbing hands need recovery time to repair and grow stronger.

How to allow your skin to heal:

  • Schedule Rest Days: Take at least 1-2 rest days per week.
  • Apply Intensive Moisturizers: Use thicker balms during rest days to speed up healing.
  • Listen to Your Skin: If you feel excessive soreness or notice cracks, take an extra day off.
A group of people in a yoga class performing a child's pose, focusing on flexibility and relaxation.
A group practicing yoga in a studio, emphasizing flexibility and mindfulness.

On rest days, I use climbing salves and wear gloves overnight to lock in moisture.


6. Apply Tape Correctly

Taping can protect your hands and fingers from further damage, allowing you to climb longer with fewer skin issues.

How to tape for protection:

  • Use Preventively: Tape areas prone to cracking or blisters before climbing.
  • Choose the Right Tape: Flexible, breathable tape works best without limiting movement.
  • Avoid Over-Tightening: Keep tape snug but not too tight to allow proper circulation.

I use a layer of thin tape under a thicker one for extra durability during long climbing sessions. My favorite brand is “Leukoplast”, their tape does not slip off easily.

A man practicing hangboard training indoors, hanging from a fingerboard in a bright, spacious living area with natural light.
A climber practices on a hangboard in a bright indoor space.

7. Cool Down and Clean Up Post-Climb

Taking a few minutes to care for your hands after climbing can reduce inflammation and speed up recovery.

How to clean up effectively:

  • Rinse with Cool Water: Helps wash off chalk and soothe inflammation.
  • Epsom Salt Soaks: Relaxes your hands and reduces muscle soreness.
  • Pat Dry: Avoid aggressive rubbing that can irritate your skin.

I keep a small container of Epsom salt in my gym bag—it’s great for a quick soak after intense sessions.


8. Use Climbing-Specific Skin Care Products

A climber’s hands need specialized care products to prevent cracks and promote healing.

Two climbers scaling a granite wall in an urban environment, showcasing the challenges of street-level climbing.
Two climbers scaling a stone wall in an urban setting, showcasing teamwork and climbing skills.

Best Skin Care Products:

  • Balms and Salves: ClimbOn, Rhino Skin, and Joshua Tree balms are great for deep hydration.
  • Antibacterial Creams: Prevent infection in cuts and flappers.
  • Finger Repair Creams: Specifically formulated to target rough skin and cracks on your fingers.

I rotate between different balms to find what works best for my skin depending on the season.

Taking care of your hands is just as important as training your muscles. By following these eight essential skin care tips—keeping calluses in check, moisturizing regularly, using chalk wisely, and taking rest days—you’ll be able to climb harder and longer without setbacks.


FAQs

How to toughen your skin for climbing?

Toughening your skin takes time and consistency. Climb regularly to build natural calluses, file down rough spots, and moisturize to keep skin strong yet flexible.

How to heal hands from climbing?

Healing climbing-related skin injuries requires cleaning cuts properly, applying climbing-specific balms, and allowing enough rest days for skin recovery.

How often should I file my calluses?

Once a week is usually enough for regular climbers. If you climb frequently, you may need to file more often to prevent thick calluses from tearing.

Can I climb with a flapper?

Yes, but it’s important to tape it properly to prevent further tearing and discomfort. Using a liquid bandage can also help protect the wound while climbing.

What’s the best way to prevent blisters from climbing?

Maintain good skin care by moisturizing, filing calluses regularly, and taping potential hot spots before long climbing sessions.