I’m only 44 but already the backs of my hands look wrinkled . I can’t afford to have any treatments so how can I make them look younger?
Skin on the hands has few oil glands, so there’s less natural defence and as we get older the fat in our hands also wears down. Don’t wash your hands in very hot or cold water, as you will damage the skin. Never rub hands dry, pat dry and always use a hand cream after washing as it will act as a barrier and help seal in hydration. Personally, I think you can’t beat O’Keeffe’s Working Hands J (£8.49), which contains a unique formula of moisturising ingredients including glycerine to protect the skin from water loss while helping the skin absorb moisture. Once a week, give your hands a facial Add a handful of sugar to a quarter of a cup of warm water and leave until absorbed. Next add a teaspoon of olive oil and mix. Rub the mixture into your hands and leave for a few minutes. Rinse, pat dry and then apply a rich, hydrating face mask over the backs of hands and leave for twenty minutes to work its magic. Always wear rubber gloves when cleaning, gardening or washing-up. This will protect your skin from dirt, and drying detergents and chemicals like bleach. If you use a glycolic serum on your face try rubbing it in over the backs of your hands a couple of times a week to improve the texture of skin and help stimulate collagen and boost cell regeneration. The quality of skin and pigmentation marks on the backs of the hands can also be improved dramatically by the regular use of a retinoid (vitamin A) cream on the backs of the hands. Use in the evening before bed. Try The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion, (£9). In the morning, always apply SPF to the backs of your hands, as 90 % of skin ageing is secondary to sun damage, which causes a breakdown of collagen and elastin in the skin. Try Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream, SPF 20, Visibly Renew Supple Touch, and £5.50 or use your facial SPF.
