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Hand Skin care Routine: what to know
Is it necessary to have a hand care routine? Could it ever be too late to start taking care of your hands? Would hand cream be sufficient? How about SPF? Are there ways to prevent age spots? The questions listed above have been asked by several of my friends and family members as their hands are beginning to age.
We rarely take care of our hands even though they endure a lot more than our faces - more washings per day, rougher washing; more sun, pollution; and added irritation from cooking, cleaning, and general debris. I mean, you surely know! Hands are exposed to so much daily that we should develop a routine for them just like we do for our faces. Before we look at how to incorporate a hand care routine and all you need to know, let's take a moment to examine why hand care is so important.
The importance of hand care: Why do we need to take care of our hands?
Hand care is important because, just like any kind of skincare, it helps to protect your skin cells, maintain healthy skin, and avoid irritation and dryness. According to skin experts, hand care is a vital part of keeping our hands healthy, smooth, supple, youthful, and beautiful!
Hands age very rapidly when exposed to the sun or when exposed to intensive hygiene practices such as washing with very hot water and using sanitizing, alcohol-based products. To protect and nourish the hands, a hand care routine is essential.
If you're unsure about whether your hands need to be taken care of, pay attention to these signs.
Here are some signs you need to take care of your hands:
Regardless of whether you have any of these signs or not, you need to:
Maintain a handcare routine!
The easiest way to keep your hands healthy is to develop a regular hand care routine. This can be done in the morning, in the evening, or throughout the day. There are many easy ways to accomplish this goal by incorporating these simple yet effective recommended hand care tips without spending much time or effort.
1. Cleanse your hands well.
The best thing to do is to wash your hands frequently, which will get rid of the germs and oil that can cause dry skin or dirt build-up. In other words, it is essential to clean your hands regularly. Hands are in constant contact with anything that you touch. This means that they are always full of bacteria, germs and oils that will cause the skin to become dry.
Use gentle hand soap and water to thoroughly clean your hands. Using a hand soap that is kind to your skin and contains moisturizing ingredients can soften and smooth your hands.
2. Put on hand cream.
After washing your hands, apply a hand cream to seal in moisture. Both water and the drying process can remove moisture from your hands and skin. You can easily find the best hand cream for your skin type, and hand creams nourish and moisturise your hands. Whether you need a hand cream to relieve dry hands caused by your job, suffer from very dry hands, or have sensitive skin, you can find one that will suit your needs. I like to use*
Moisturizers hydrate, support the skin barrier and lock in moisture. The best hand moisturizers should contain three ingredients: humectants, emollients, and occlusives. Dry skin needs all three ingredients!
It's best to use nighttime hand cream because you won't wash your hands for about eight hours, so the product can absorb more effectively. Adding a hand mask every week is also a very good hand care solution for an extra layer of care and treatment.
Maintaining our hands' moisture has never been more essential!
Do we need to use a hand cream after washing our hands every time?
Yes! It is important to reapply moisturisers, even thick ones with occlusives, as they will be at least partially removed by hand washing.
Importance of hand cream.
Several studies have clearly shown, what most of us already know, that without hand cream, hands are rougher and drier. Many of us wash our hands more frequently, which can lead to irritant contact dermatitis. Hand cream can provide moisture to skin that has been washed and can help prevent dryness, roughness, and damaged skin.
Keeping your hands in good shape does not mean buying a whole new set of products, explains Dr Kubicka. The same products should also be used on the back of the hands, as they are used on the face, especially at night.
Our palm skin is different from the skin on the back of our hands. Because our hands have thin skin and fewer sebaceous glands, they can become dry extremely quickly. In contrast, the skin on our palms is thicker, and consequently, the moisture required to penetrate this area of the hands needs to be rich and hydrated.
1. Exfoliate
Glowing skin comes from regular exfoliation. Exfoliating the skin physically and chemically exposes fresh skin cells beneath the old dead skin cells. To lock in moisture and protect the newly exfoliated skin cells, apply a good moisturizer right after exfoliation.
You can chemically exfoliate your hands by using hand washes, hand serums, or moisturisers that contain enzymes or acids. The most recommended frequency is twice a week.
2. Apply sun cream
It’s very important to use sunscreen on your hands as ultraviolet light can burn the skin and reduce elasticity, ultraviolet light can also damage the skin's outer layer of melanin. By wearing sun cream, you protect yourself from getting burned by UV rays that penetrate your lower layers of skin. Dr Kubicka advised that you apply (and reapply) sunscreen to your hands as you do to your face.
To briefly summarise you should:
Additional points to consider:
It is also important to ensure that:
· When washing your hands, do not use very hot water
It is harmful to your hands to be exposed to very hot water, as it dries them out. When we wash and bathe, warm water locks moisture in our bodies and protects our hands from drying out.
· When cleaning, gardening, or doing any other task that could affect your hands, wear gloves.
Simply wearing gloves whenever you handle harsh chemicals or tools can go a long way toward protecting your hands. You can protect your hands from harsh weather by wearing work gloves, medical gloves, or rubber gloves.
· Don't use hand dryers
Our hands can become dry when we use a hand dryer. This is because we are rapidly applying artificial heat to our hands that immediately reduce their moisture content. Using a towel will help prevent this.
· Consider targeting your skin care products
You should consider any targeted skincare products based on your skin type. Consider the use of creams and hand care products if you suffer from skin conditions such as eczema or dermatitis. Taking these factors into account helps to make them an ideal fit for the skin area and skin type. Many hand washes contain essential oils, causing allergic contact dermatitis, so it is important to avoid them if you are sensitive.
In conclusion, it is crucial to take care of your hands, regardless of your age. Your hands are extremely important because they are the primary way you interact with the environment and everyone else. Hand care routines will ensure that your hands are healthy and nourished for years, but most importantly, your hands will thank you for it! :)
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