4 Expert-Approved Ways To Make Your Hands Look Younger
There are a few places on your body that give away your age, even if you're wearing makeup or have had some work done. One of those areas is the hands. As we age, gravity comes into play, our skin becomes wrinkled and dry, and unfortunately, our hands often can age quite a bit faster than the rest of our body. Why's that? "We often forget to take care of our hands the way we do our faces," explains Joshua Zeichner, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City. However, now that we've been sudsing up and sanitizing more than ever, it's time to start thinking about our hands. So even if you've been slathering on your SPF and the rest of your anti-aging products, you're probably applying everything above your shoulders. But don't worry, there are things you can do to make your hands look more youthful than ever before. (And it's never too early or too late to start.) Here are four super simple ways to get your hands looking smooth and youthful, according to Zeichner.
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1. Be Smart About Sudsing Up
Washing your hands has always been important, and with the current COVID-19 pandemic, it's more imperative than ever before. Frequent washing can dry skin out, so make sure you're choosing a hand soap that locks in moisture. An affordable option that works very well is the Jergens Extra Moisturizing Hand Wash ($7, Walmart).
2. Hydrate Better
"The best hand creams contain emollients, humectants, and occlusive ingredients that smooth, hydrate, and prevent water loss," Zeichner says. Scan labels for dimethicone, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and urea. Apply cream post-washing, or after any time your hands were exposed to water. Try Aveeno Skin Relief Intense Moisture Hand Cream ($14, Bed Bath & Beyond).
3. Spot Treat
Brown spots speckled across the tops of your hands are a telltale sign of sun damage. Fade them with topical treatments containing lightening agents such as vitamin C, kojic acid, or arbutin, or exfoliating ingredients such as lactic or glycolic acid, Zeichner says. And to keep the spots from coming back, daily sunscreen is crucial. Try Supergoop! Handscreen ($38, Sephora) to immediately boost your skin's hydration and give sun protection.
4. Plump Up
Like other skin on your body, hand skin naturally thins with age, and that process is only accelerated by UV damage. As collagen and elastin are damaged, you're left with wrinkled, crepe-y skin, Zeichner explains. If that's your issue, thicken and smooth the surface with a treatment containing collagen-stimulating ingredients such as retinoids, peptides, and growth factors. Try the Goldfaden MD Anti-Aging Plus Brightening Hand Treatment ($38, Dermstore).
