Everything you need to know about hand care

The hands have fewer sebaceous glands than the face. It makes the skin more prone to dryness. Some of the most visible signs of aging usually occur on your hands. By applying nurturing skincare to your hands, you’re helping them age properly while retaining their natural beauty.

WHAT MAKES OUR HANDS AGE FASTER:

• sun exposure over many years can lead to brown sun spots, irregular pigmentation, thinning of the skin, and wrinkles. 
• constantly washing your hands (essential now)
• excessive air conditioning. 
• bathing or showering in water that is too hot.
• using lotions that contain alcohol
• sitting under direct heat from a heater or fire. 
•  cold temperatures, dry climate, wind, rain. 
• not protecting your hands when cleaning the house, working in the garden, etc. 

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

1. Apply sunscreen year-round, especially between noon and 4 p.m. when the sun is typically brightest. Don’t forget to reapply!
2. Look for a hand cream that contains 
   – ceramides (help form the skin’s barrier and help skin retain moisture);
   – retinol (this vitamin A derivative can help make your skin look and feel smoother).
3. use hand sanitizer with a moisturizing base. 
4. Apply rich moisturizer every time after you wash your hands: it’ll seal in water without making your hands oily (I have them all over the place).
5. For evening, opt for a protein-rich hand cream formula with ingredients like hyaluronic acid (to help plump up thin skin), Emblica (a natural skin lightener to aid in the correction of age spots), soothing extracts or essential oils.
6. If you’re cleaning, wear latex or cotton-lined gloves.

EXFOLIATION AND MASKING your hands is an essential step in order to have healthier skin:

• Consider using microdermabrasion or chemical peel once a week.
• Moisturizing and protecting your hands at home are key to maintaining youthful-looking hands.

OUR HANDS NEEDS EXFOLIATION

• It leave your skin softer and smoother, remove dead skin cells, as well as improve the absorption of hand cream too.
• When mechanically exfoliating, be gentle on your skin. 
• You can make small, circular motions using your finger to apply a scrub.
• If you use a brush (like Clarisonic Mia I have), make short, light strokes. Exfoliate for about 30 seconds and then rinse off with lukewarm water.
• DIY exfoliators like Sugar + Olive Oil (add lemon for brightening effect) are really good. 

MASKING
One of the best remedies for dry hands is to slather them at night with lotion or a petroleum-based moisturizer, such as Vaseline. After, cover your hands with a pair of soft gloves or socks. You can do hand masking while watching TV or choose to do an overnight treatment. 

I usually gently exfoliate my hands, apply my face serum and rich moisturizer or moisturizing mask followed by generous amount of coconut oil to improve skin hydration and increase the number of lipids (fats) on the surface of the skin. I use disposable gloves first and then wear my Colorado winter gloves and watch a movie. This is my mom’s DIY mask and it works every time both for hands and feet. You’ll be surprised what a difference it’ll make for your hands. To be honest, no matter how many hand masks I bought during this pandemic, nothing works as good as my mom’s one. 

Some other popular treatments include:
– Oatmeal Bath ( anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties).
– Honey (moisturizing, healing, anti-inflammatory).
– Aloe Vera ( aloe vera gel can be used in a place of a mask).

APPLY MOISTURIZER

1. While your hands are slightly damp, apply your hand cream or ointment all over the skin, being sure not to skip the fingers.
2. When massaging your hands with the cream, paying special attention to any dry areas. This process warms up the skin, opening up the pores and allowing more of the cream to penetrate and nourish than if simply rubbing it in.

Other things to consider:
1. Drink enough water and have enough sleep. 
2. Exercise to improve blood circulation.

XX,
Gena.