And as a skin care enthusiast, I would not emphasize much about doing a regular hand care routine.
Our hands are one of the most vulnerable parts of our body that are in dire contact with everything – the sun, water, dust, and not to mention endless sanitizers and soaps.
And it’s not surprising that they can dry out, become rough and exhibit earlier signs of aging than we can imagine.
Well, today, I feel like telling you the secret of healthy hands and giving you my best tips on how to maintain them in perfect state during the whole year.
Let’s dive in!
Why Hand Care Matters
But let’s discuss in detail what is the importance of taking care of our hands before we head to the routine process.
Think about it: it’s really comforting to know that we have our hands for almost all the activities that we undertake in our day to day lives.
Be it, working on the keyboard and mouse of our laptops or preparing a meal for the family, our hands are very busy.
This not only makes them vulnerable to pollutants, chemicals and radiation that makes the skin look dry, cracked and even aged beyond the years.
And believe me, there is nothing more uncomfortable than dry and chapped hands!
Not only is hand care important to our skin’s feel, but it is also an important component of skin care.
In the same way that you would never fail to put on moisturizer before sleeping, you should never take your hands for granted.
Besides, they are one of the first things that starts to get older on a person’s body!
Step-by-Step Hand Care Routine
Having understood the reasons as to why hand care is important, let us proceed to the procedures of a perfect hand care.
Don’t worry, it’s easy, fast and, the most important – really effective!
Gentle Cleansing
The first part of any good skin care routine is washing your hands.
However, a lot of care must be taken to avoid over washing and the use of harsh soaps which washes off the skin’s natural oils.
Another thing I think is very important is if you have to wash your hands repeatedly, try to use a hand wash that does not have chemicals or fragrance.
If possible avoid those with ingredients such as alcohol or harsh acne causing ingredients.
Look for those that contain glycerin, aloe vera, and chamomile to soothe the skin.
When washing your hands, embrace warm water, do not use hot water because it can make your skin very dry.
Wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds with special attention to the area between fingers and especially around nails.
Then simply rinse with warm water and pat softly with a towel.
Oh yes and when washing your hand remember to pat instead of rubbing as this reduces irritation and keeps your palms soft.
Exfoliation: Buff Away Dry Skin
Like any other parts of the skin, your hands should also be exfoliated at least once a week to remove the build up of dead skin and reveal the softer skin underneath.
I suggest that you should scrub your hands, at least, once or twice a week depending on how harsh your hands are.
There are ready hand scrubs in the market but you can also make one at home using a few ingredients such as sugar or salt and olive or coconut oil.
Rub the scrub on the hands lightly in circular movements and pay special attention to the rough skin.
This not only aids in massages, making the skin of your hands look smooth but it also aids in boosting circulation thus making your hands radiant.
Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize!
Taking care of your hands mainly involves moisturizing especially after washing and exfoliating.
Select a hand cream with shea butter, cocoa butter or hyaluronic acid on the ingredient list, since they are wonderful for moisturizing the skin.
Use hand cream that moisturizes your hands after every hand wash.
That’s why it is important to ensure you massage the cream on the back of your hand and around the cuticles.
If these are not available then it is advisable to use a thick layer of cream before sleep and wear cotton gloves to enhance the absorption of the cream.
You will wake up with the softest hands ever!
Protect Your Hands from the Elements
Our hands are in constant contact with numerous things throughout the day, thus it is necessary to shield them from environmental effects.
During winter you should wear gloves since skin again becomes exposed to strong winds and low temperatures.
Cold air means that your skin is likely to get dried up very quickly and therefore should be replenished frequently.
So, when you go for ‘fun in the sun’ during the summer season, do not forget to apply sun cream on your hands.
Sometimes, we don’t even realize that our hands require protection from the sun, and with UV, you get pigmentation and early signs of aging.
Choose a sunscreen with a label that says it is a broad-spectrum protection with an SPF of 30 or higher.
Make sure you reapply the product every few hours or after washing your hands.
Pamper Your Hands with Weekly Treatments
Don’t forget to give your hands some extra love with a hand mask or oil treatment once a week.
Hand masks are wonderful since they get you an excellent opportunity to give your skin some time to soak up nutrients and moisture.
It is easier to procure ready-made hand masks from the beauty stores, but you can create them with the help of honey, avocado and oatmeal.
Use the mask on your hands, let it work for 10-15 minutes then wash it off with warm water.
Or for more luxurious variation take a small bowl and pour 5-10 minutes prior heated coconut, almond, or olive oil and soak your hands.
This will go a long way in helping you to effectively hydrate your skin from the inside out while also making your nails tougher than before.
Plus, it feels incredibly relaxing!
Keep Your Cuticles in Check
Caring for fingernail cuticles is very important when it comes to grooming your hands and forearms.
Do not trim your cuticles because if you do it improperly, you risk having them infected and therefore they grow back again thick.
Instead, gently push them back after a warm shower when they’re smooth.
As for the nails, you can also apply a cuticle oil or balm in order to maintain their health and hydration on a daily basis.
Hydrate from the Inside Out
It’s not just about what you put on your skin—what you put in your body matters too!
Soft and smooth skin can only be achieved when you drink a lot of water so as to maintain good skin flexibility and hydration.
You should also put into consideration a balanced diet rich in vitamins and nutrients since the skin will benefit from it.
Choose foods rich in antioxidants such as fruits, especially berries, and green vegetables and healthy fats from nuts, seeds, avocados and the like.
Common Hand Care Mistakes to Avoid
So now that you know the process of getting soft and smooth hands, let’s discuss some of the things you shouldn’t do.
Oh do not think that I have not been guilty of a few of these myself!
Over-washing Your Hands
It is however important to ensure that our hands are clean but washing hands often can cause the skin to be dry and inflamed.
Avoid over reliance on hand sanitizer and instead go for a basic wash especially when having water nearby.
And, of course there is no need to forget about using the lotion after washing your hands.
Neglecting Sunscreen
Trust me on this, always make sure that you put sunscreen on your hands.
It is a skin type like any other and nothing contributes to skin aging as much as the sun does.
This should be done in just the same way you do when you are applying some creams on your faces every morning.
Ignoring the Cuticles
People hardly pay attention to this aspect since healthy cuticles are not prominent, but damaged cuticles are like unkempt hands, and in extreme cases they are painful.
Make sure that you moisturize them with cuticle oil or cream and avoid cutting them but rather push them back.
Conclusion
Caring for your hands is not a chore that calls for hours and hours of your time, but it does need to be done regularly.
That way, your hands will be soft and smooth throughout the year.
All these basic steps taken will make a difference.
Just a reminder that people’s hands are one of the first things that they see and it deserves some love too!
Whether it be to buy a good quality hand cream, indulge in a hand mask once a week, or wash hands properly and wear gloves, each counts.
So go ahead, pamper those hands — you deserve it!
