Our hands, like our faces, are the most exposed parts of our bodies. However, we tend to forget to pay as much attention to our hands as we should. No matter what stage we are in life, if we have never looked after our hands much before, now is a great time to start!
Remember your gloves – protect your hands with a good pair of rubber gloves (where possible, used ones lined with cotton) every time you wash the dishes or hand wash your clothing. Cleaning agents can be harsh on the skin and contribute to speeding up the aging process. And gardening gloves are also important when working outdoors as they protect hands from the sun, the number one cause of skin aging. Don’t forget to wear gloves when it the temperatures start to plunge as the cold wind can leave our hands feeling chapped and dry.
Exfoliate - Use a grainy scrub on backs of hands to reveal glowing skin. When you exfoliate your hands at least once a week, you’ll notice how much smoother your skin is.
When washing your hands, remember to use a soap or liquid that has a mild ph balance.
Moisturise! Don’t forget, after washing your hands, pat dry and while moist, use a good quality moisturiser. And do apply sunscreen every day – our hands are exposed to the sun every time we are outside; to help keep them protected consider using a high SPF sunscreen or sun block on the back of your hands, especially when driving your car to help prevent age and sun spots.
Moisturise your cuticles – Keeping our cuticles hydrated will prevent them from looking dry and scaly. A good time to do this is a couple times a week before bed. Place a drop of cuticle cream or oil on the cuticle and rub in. Not only will this keep the cuticles soft, but your nails will get some extra attention as well. To tip: The Essential Night Treatment Oil is great for keeping the cuticles moisturised and smooth looking.
Traditionally, it was believed that sun spots, also referred to as age spots, only affected older people who had been exposed to the sun for prolonged periods of time throughout the years. Now research is showing that they are affecting people of all ethnic groupings at a much younger age.
New research shows sun spots are mainly a result of how much time you have spent out in the sun. The term ‘age spots’ refers to the brownish spots that, over time appear on your face and body as a result of overexposure to the sun. Our skin has what is called ‘melanin pigment’ which absorbs sunlight and helps naturally protect our skin from UV rays. However as we age, our skin’s natural ability to fend off UV rays from the sun begins to deteriorate, and as a result, we see the development of sun spots.
The appearance of sun spots can be helped from the inside out quite easily.
Stay out of strong sunlight as much as possible, and always wear a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 20. Remember that mineral based ones protect the skin instantly whereas others take up to 30 minutes to get working. Even if you already have sun damaged skin, it’s never too late to start. This will help prevent further damage and sun spotting.
Nourish your skin with creams and oils containing omega 3, rosehip seed oil and vitamins A and E and always apply a sunscreen on top.
Eat foods which are rich in omega 3 oils and eat plenty of antioxidant-rich vegetables and fruit.
Sun damage can even occur while you are in your car. Car window glass protects from 100% of the UVA light (the light which causes a burn) but none of the UVB, the light responsible for sun damage and aging skin. Always remember to apply sun protection or invest in getting UVB-protecting film on your car windows (this may be tinted or clear). This will help prevent much of the sun damage which causes sun, liver, or brown spots.