How to Slow Down Aging Hands 

Hi everyone, Tina here (+1 662 830 8246, info@nakedactives.com)

We fear the aging process on our faces, with the eyes and neck being the first areas where fine lines appear, but hands too show signs of aging just as quickly and often forget when it comes to skincare. Hands are exposed to not only environmental damage but subject to constant and often exposed to chemicals you wouldn’t dare bring near your skin otherwise.....how close would you get dishwashing detergent near your face versus using it without your marigolds!?!?

Daily wear and tear on hands often only receives some hand cream as a form of skincare, yet they are in direct contact constantly and require more hydration than the face it could be said. Compared to the skin on your face there are fewer lipids and moisture-binding components which means the skin on our hands is less able to stabilize. This makes them vulnerable to being dry and thus the signs of aging appear. We now live in a world where anti-bacterial hand gel is used very frequently and this is causing our skin to be stripped back faster than it may have done pre coronavirus.

What causes hands to age?

Signs of aging are a combination of a loss of elasticity, sunspots, pigmentation, and wrinkles. Just as we are advised to layer our skincare with SPF, the hands should be treated in the same manner - but it is very rare to see an SPF specifically for hands. Be sure to always apply your sunscreen to your hands too, and remember to repeat after washing them too!

What can be done?

Skincare you would use for your neck and décolletage would be suitable for your hands too. There are key ingredients that are great for keeping hands supple and smooth, such as shea butter, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and E. Retinol products help to repair and regenerate and azelaic acids help to brighten the skin. Hand moisturizers are effective but a more concentrated version such as a serum with active ingredients is absorbed more easily and can target specific problems. Naked Actives has a superb range of serums like Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor) & Squalane Oil, which are applied daily at night, could help keep the dryness at bay. Hyaluronic Acid in particular is a very clever active that achieves an aesthetic of looking plumper and fuller even if it is only on the surface.

Gloves worn overnight for hydration are a wonderful invention, especially when used in conjunction with the serums, however, there is another step that shouldn’t be missed. Hands should be exfoliated weekly with a chemical exfoliant like glycolic acid, that will remove dead skin and make the skin softer and smoother. AHA’s within hand creams will aid the skin cell turnover and reduce dark spots. Gradually they will also help to produce more elastin and collagen for a youthful appearance. Any hand cream claiming to increase volume is a myth...topical products are limited to hydration and moisturizing only. The hyaluronic acid will temporarily give a more youthful appearance, the temporary is all it is.

Treatments for hands can be as simple as wearing rubber gloves, drinking more water, wearing an SPF, moisturizing regularly, but there are peels, laser, and injectable options available for intensive repair and removal of sunspots. Needless to say, there is a sizeable price tag that accompanies this. It is important to take stock of your lifestyle as many contributing factors can age hands, such as smokers will be more prone to getting fine lines earlier in life. Prevention is always better and less costly than the cure! Building a habit around keeping hands well moisturized will pay itself. Keeping hand creams around where you wash your hands for instance is a quick and easy habit to keep. Remember that water contact strips your natural hand oils, so they need replenishing every time there is just that – contact!