Here's a new thread. Hand care for microscopists. I spend most of each day preparing and analyzing samples using light microscopy and FT-IR microscopy. Fingerprints are more than a nuisance, so its frequent trips to the sink for a little soap and water. In the winter I find my fingertips become dry and cracked.
Lotion is out during work hours.
Cotton gloves shed linters. Finger cots provide some relief. You need to say if you are handling any chemicals that require protection, in which case you might try nitrile gloves, which are thin, strong, chemically resistant, and do not cause latex allergies. If you don't need gloves, you could try something moisturizing after washing. I use Vaseline Intensive Care lotion, or any similar hand lotion.