Top 5 tips for looking after your hands as you get older
NIVEA Skincare Expert, Robyn Hutch, shares her top tips for looking after your hands as you get older.
1. Washing your hands
Many people don’t know this, but the way you wash your hands is the first way you can protect and look after them. Every time you wash your hands you strip your skin of its natural oils and excessive hand washing can quickly leave you with dry hands. I suggest washing your hands with lukewarm water and a cream-based, soap-free hand wash to reduce the drying effects.
2. Moisturise daily
Just like our face, our hands also need a regular skincare routine. As we age, it’s harder to keep moisture locked in our skin, which is why it’s so important to ensure you keep them moisturised day and night. I recommend using an anti-age hand care product that contains Q10 as this will help reduce the signs of ageing and sun induced spots.
3. Intensive care for dry skin
Very dry hands that are rough and cracked need a lot more care and attention. Rich hand creams with dexpanthenol and calendula oil are a great remedy for very dry hands. They soothe the stressed skin immediately, protect it and support the regeneration process. If you have severely dry hands this might also mean you’re dehydrated, so be sure you’re drinking at least two litres of water a day.
4. Protect your hands from the sun
You don’t have to walk around wearing gloves all year but keeping your hands protected from the sun will prevent your hands from ageing. Our hands are constantly exposed to UV (and are one of the first places we show ageing) so I would recommend applying a hand cream that contains UVA/UVB filters which will prevent sun damage, and keep your skin youthful and glowing.
5. Overnight miracle treatment
A great tip to get an overnight miracle hand treatment is to rub in a thick layer of hand lotion or cream and pull on a pair of light cotton gloves. Simply leave them on throughout the night and you’ll wake up with soft, moisturised hands.