Keep Your Hands Looking Young

We spend a lot of time on our faces, making them look their best. We wash them, we use anti-aging creams, blemish control toners, and hopefully some sunblock, too. We wax and tweeze away unwanted stubble and we color the hair on our head to turn back the clock so we can appear more youthful. We slather on eye creams, concealer, and even foundation primer to smooth out the lumps, bumps, and discolorations that take away our youthful glow. And it works great - until someone gets a glimpse of our neglected hands.

Our poor, abused hands. We wash them countless times a day and douse them with hand sanitizer to ward off the flu. We burn them putting cookies in the oven, we freeze them pumping gas in the winter. They get calloused, they get hang nails, and they begin to look old. Here's how to keep your hands from telling your biggest secret - your age.

Moisturize. When our skin gets dry, it looks old. It shows tiny lines and flaky skin. So the first line of defense against aging hands is simply to moisturize. Whenever possible, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water rather than with hand sanitizer, as that will dry hands out even more. Make sure to pat your hands completely dry after washing, and always follow with a hand cream. Unscented is best. I love Cetaphil moisturizers. They are great for really dry skin and are very gentle. If you moisturize regularly and still find your hands are dry and cracked, then try putting an emollient cream on your hands at bedtime, cover with socks or gloves, and go to sleep. Your hands will be much softer and better in the morning. Try Mary Kay Extra Emollient Night Cream.

Use SPF. You heard me! Put a little SPF on your hands every day, especially if you are going to be outside. You know that sun damage that you are trying to keep from wrecking your face? It shows up on your hands, too, in the form of wrinkles and liver spots! Yucky! The biggest culprit is through the window of your car, so when you are going to be outside, put sunblock on your face and on your hands.

Shape your Nails. Don't bite away your fingernails, and please don't make them long and pointy! The best shape for your nails is the one that mirrors the look of your nail beds. Keep nails short, just barely reaching over the edge of your fingertip is best. Even if your hands are very delicate, long, pointy nails just look creepy, old, and very impractical. When in doubt, spring for a manicure and get a professional opinion.

Make your face share. Whatever anti-aging potions you put on your face, you can put on your hands. Have a favorite age fighting serum? How about a firming eye cream? Anytime your squirt out a bit too much, just rub it into your hands so that they can get the same age fighting benefits and keep that youthful glow.

Remember that while your face is the most visible part of your body, your hands are the second most visible part of your body. So keep them healthy, happy, and keep them looking young. Help your hands keep your face's best kept secret - your age!