The 5 Most Common Climbing Skin Problems (And How to Fix Them)

Healthy skin is one of the biggest performance factors in climbing — yet many climbers overlook it until it’s too late. Skin determines how long you can climb, how hard you can try, and how confident you feel on the wall.

Whether you climb indoors or outdoors, you’ve probably experienced at least one of these issues. Here’s a full guide to the five most common skin problems climbers face, why they happen, and how you can fix them using the right techniques and products.

1. Thin Skin (Worn-Down Fingertips)

Symptoms:

• Smooth, shiny, “glassy” fingertips

• Slipping off holds despite good strength

• Pain when crimping or grabbing textured surfaces

Why it happens:
Long sessions, high friction rock (like Fontainebleau sandstone), too much brushing, or over-chalking.

How to fix it:

• Use Rhino Repair after climbing to rebuild the skin layer

• Apply Rhino Performance/Dry before climbing if your skin feels too soft

• Hydrate properly — skin regrowth slows when dehydrated

• Reduce brushing to avoid removing micro-layers of skin

Rhino Repair, Rhino performance

2. Sweaty or Moist Skin (Slippery Grip)

Symptoms:

• Chalk falls off quickly

• Holds feel “greasy”

• Hard to maintain friction even on easy moves

Why it happens:
Humidity, warm environments, genetic sweating, poor chalk choice.

How to fix it:

• Switch to Tokyo Powder V3 or Tokyo Powder RX, designed for humid conditions

• Use Jugo or Rhino Dry between attempts

• Chalk less, not more — over-chalking causes clumping

• Brush holds regularly

Jugo, Rhino skin dry, Tokyo Powder RX

3. Splits (Cracks in Fingertips)

Symptoms:

• Sharp pain when grabbing edges

• Bleeding or reopening during sessions

• Difficulty climbing even easy problems

Why it happens:
Cold conditions, overly dry skin, high friction boulders, lack of recovery.

How to fix it:

• Seal the area with Crux Tape

• Apply Rhino Split Stick for targeted healing

• Take 1–2 days off if the split is deep

• Keep skin lightly moisturised post-session

Rhino split, Crux tape

4. Flappers (Torn Skin Tabs)

Symptoms:

• Loose flap of skin

• Sudden tearing mid-boulder

• Stinging pain on slopers or volumes

Why it happens:
Soft skin + high friction holds, humid gyms, sweaty fingertips.

How to fix it:

• Clean and tape the area with Crux Tape

• File the edges so the tear doesn’t spread

• Avoid overusing liquid chalk, which can dry skin too fast

• Use Rhino Recovery after climbing

Rhino split, Crux tape

H2: 5. Overly Dry or Brittle Skin

Symptoms:

• Cracks forming easily

• Painful friction on small holds

• Chalk feels rough and abrasive

Why it happens:
Cold gyms, winter air, dehydration, alcohol-based chalk overuse.

How to fix it:

• Dry holds instead of skin using Tokyo Powder BLACK

• Apply Rhino Repair after climbing

• Use milder chalk blends

• Avoid over-washing hands with harsh soap

Tokyo Black 

How to Prevent Skin Problems Before They Happen

Good skin care = longer sessions + better performance.
Here are simple habits to keep your skin durable:

• File skin regularly to keep it even

• Use the right chalk for the conditions

• Moisturise after climbing

• Avoid climbing with thin or glassy skin

• Sleep enough — 80% of skin regeneration happens overnight

Conclusion

Skin is one of your most important pieces of climbing gear. With the right routines—and the right products like Tokyo Powder, Crux Tape, Jugo, and Rhino Skin Solutions—you can train harder, climb longer, and stop ending sessions because your skin gives out before your strength does.