Keep Your Hands Young

We may be able to hide our age with great clothes, youthful hair, and fine makeup, but our hands are a dead giveaway. Our hands are the first place to show age spots, freckles, and dry skin. Our hands take the most abuse: washing, cleaning, sun exposure, and plain old hard work. But there is hope for your overworked hands. Give your mitts a makeover to hide the signs of aging and keep them looking young and new. Here's how.

Avoid harsh soaps for hand washing. How many times a day do we wash our hands? In my house, a lot! Especially during cold and flu season and potty training. Antibacterial soaps are harsh on your hands, as are the germ-killing soaps in places like hospitals and doctors offices. If your house is healthy, avoid antibacterial soaps which also kill the good bacteria that helps your body fight off germs. Use gentle soaps that won't be over-drying and save the harsh stuff for when you really need it.

Wear gloves when working. If you are cleaning, doing dishes, working in the yard, or anything else that's tough on your hands make sure you wear gloves. Chemicals can dry out your hands, making them crack and look old. Dirt can get into callouses and stain your fingers. Protect them - and keep them safe - with the right gloves for the job.

Moisturize! Dry hands are old looking hands, so keep your favorite lotion handy. Avoid lotions with fragrance and alcohol for the best results. Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and colloidal oatmeal are great for sensitive, dry skin. For the most effect, lather up your hands before bed and sleep in a pair of cotton gloves.

Use SPF everyday. Are hands get more sun exposure then we realize. Do your skin a favor and prevent sunburn and aging with a daily SPF.

Treat your hands just like your face. The anti-aging treatments you use on your face are great for your hands, too. You can use brightening cream, anti-aging serums, and moisturizers on your hands just like you would on your face.

Use cuticle cream. Your cuticles can dry and crack, making your hands look old and dingy. Prevent cuticle snags and hangnails with cuticle cream. Apply it daily for best results. In a pinch, lip balm works great to soften hard cuticles.

Keep your nails neat. Short, squoaval nails are the most youthful. Nails that are thick, long, or broken can look gnarly and old. Always file your nails in the same direction to prevent cracking and splitting. When in doubt, treat yourself to a relaxing manicure.

Polish. The right nail polish can be age defying, just like choosing the right makeup and the right hair color. Dark colors can be aging, so stick to light or soft hues. If your nails are stained or yellow, you'll definitely want to keep them polished and beautiful!

For the easiest hand care regimen, treat your hands with the skincare you put on your face. Wash them with gentle soap, and don't forget the lotion. Keep your hands happy and they'll keep your age a secret for a long, long time.

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