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.