So if eyes are the windows to the soul, then your hands are definitely a dead giveaway for your age. Dryness, veins, and age spots can take the charm out our dainty digits, so before you go under the laser like our gal SJP did for hand rejuvenation, here are a few tips to keep in mind of you wanna keep palms as close to perfection as possible.
Easy on the Antibac - Now this may be hard for a lot of germaphobes out there, but even antibacterial hand gels with aloe and other emollients can be harmful to hands if used in excess. These formulas contain at least 60% alcohol, which can cause the skin's natural barrier to crack and for soft hands to become rough and dry. When this barrier is cracked, it can cause skin to become more prone to bacteria and infection. Use antibacterial hand gel only when you don't have access to traditional soap and water.
Cool things down - Sure hot and steamy showers are super relaxing, but creating your very own stand up Jacuzzi isn't helping your skin at all. Hot water causes the skin's protective oils to wash away, leaving your hands (and the rest of your body) dry, tight, and even itchy. Opt for warm to lukewarm water to ensure skin's natural oils stay in place and help keep you touchably soft.
Remember SPF - Of course you know to cover your body in sunscreen to protect against harmful UVA and UVB rays, but don't forget about your hands. You gotta show these sunscreen applicators some love too! Sun is the ultimate skin dryer; so don't forget to apply your SPF to hands. If you really can't stand the oily, sticky feeling of SP, use a wet wipe to take it off your palms, but definitely leave it as is on the parts of hands that are exposed to the sun.
Don't get too handy - Sure we all carry a hand cream around to keep skin nourished and soft, but don't overdo it. Apply your hand moisturizer only a few times a day. Why? Because hands can quickly become used to frequent hydration, soak up moisture quickly, and thus quickly become dry. In addition, too much moisturizer job can cause the skin to stop protecting itself. Keep in mind that your skin is the largest organ of your body. Too much hydration can disrupt it normal function.
Go for Gloves - Not just for fun pampering purposes, gloves are your hands best friends if you want to keep them soft and supple. When cleaning your home, rubber gloves are a great way to ensure the chemicals from cleaning products that can dry or adversely affect skin. Disown washing offers up another great time to wear these softness shields. And of course for a dose of pampering, apply your favorite emollient and slip on gloves overnight to reveal super soft hands you'll love.
How do you keep hands soft? Let us know in the comments below!
