Soft Spoken

Though we all spend a lot of time obsessing about how to stop crow’s feet and facial wrinkles, we shouldn’t forget about the rest of the body, especially our hands. This often neglected area can be one of the first places that age spots, slack skin and wrinkles rear their ugly heads. But with a few simple steps, you can keep your hands feeling soft and looking younger. 

Don’t forget the sunscreen 
While we are diligent about applying SPF to our faces, we often overlook our hands, which see as much, if not more, sunlight than the rest of our bodies. Applying an SPF daily before heading outdoors is the first step to preventing additional aging caused by harmful UV rays and achieving younger looking hands.

Exfoliate 
Just like your face and body, your hands need to be exfoliated too. Use a sugar or salt scrub every week to two weeks to slough away the dead skin cells. Your hands will start feeling smoother, younger and softer in no time. 

Moisturize after washing your hands 
Soap and water can actually dry skin out with repeated use, so make it a habit to apply hand lotion immediately after washing your hands while they are still a bit damp, which helps lock in moisture. Keep a pump bottle of lotion next to your sink in the bathroom and kitchen as an easy reminder to re-apply often. 

Take a multi-vitamin
Healthy doses of Vitamins A, B complex, C and E can all improve your skin. Vitamins C and E are particularly important in counteracting the effects of sun exposure. Vitamin A helps maintain and repair skin tissue, while B complex vitamins are essential for healthy skin, nails and hair. 

Consider fish oil supplements 
If you eat a lot of oily fish or take fish oil supplements, you may notice that your hands already feel soft and smooth. Sardines, mackerel, fresh tuna and other oily fish contain essential fatty acids (EFAs), the good fats. EFAs keep your skin moisturized, reduce inflammation, and keep your hands looking younger. They also do double duty because they’re great for your heart! 

Get a manicure regularly 
Whether you do it at home or head to the salon, a manicure will keep your cuticles moisturized and your nails healthy. Healthy, well-manicured nails make your hands look more polished, which often translates to younger looking as well.

Don’t forget your gloves 
In the wintertime, gloves are essential. But cold weather isn’t the only thing that can damage your hands. When washing dishes, cleaning your bathroom and working in the garden, you should always wear gloves. Latex or rubber gloves can protect your hands from chemicals and hot water that can dry and damage your skin. 

Treat your hands at night 
Coat your hands with a thick moisturizing cream or petroleum jelly before going to bed. Cover them with white cotton gloves or even socks in a pinch, to keep the moisturizer close to the skin for better absorption. You’ll be amazed at how soft your hands feel come morning!

We love world-famous hand model Ellen Sirot’s Hand Perfection, which combines skin-friendly Omega-3 fatty acids with protective antioxidants to keep your hands feeling ultra-hydrated, soft and youthful.