You know, for #armcandy or #mani of the day pics on Instagram.
1. Change the way you cleanse. Most hand soaps—especially after multiple washings (we hope!) throughout the day-- leave skin feeling dry, tight, and not Insta-worthy. To keep hands clean without overdrying, I actually keep a bottle of Cucumber Cream Soap at the sink. It’s gentle and skin soothing on skin, just as an effective cleanser should be.
2. Rehydrate frequently. Dry hands can look ashy or crepe-y IRL and in photos. Always keep a bottle of hand cream—by the sink, in your bag, at your desk, in your car—for whenever the need arises. I actually keep the Oil Free Moisturizer SPF 30 in my car in case I forget to apply SPF (hands are one of the first places to show signs of aging!) before driving; plus, it sinks in quickly so I’m not left with greasy fingerprints all over the steering wheel. The Hydrating Hand Cream travels with me wherever I go, and I have tub of my favorite—Special Hand Cream with Vitamin E—at my desk and nightstand. When you’re typing or writing all day, you know: hands go through a lot of wear and tear, and the best thing you can do for it is to take care of ‘em. (FYI: this cream has a rich yet whipped texture, which makes it a total pleasure to apply.)
3. Start an anti-aging regimen now. Yes, for your hands. And yes, now. We’ll say it again: hand are one of the first areas on the body to show signs of aging due to constant use/handwashing, lack of proper care (we take our of faces, but what about the rest of our body?), and thinner skin. Take precautions now. Apply SPF before drying or going outdoors. Hydrate hands frequently—and look for hand creams with antioxidant-rich formulas to further defend against free radicals that can age skin prematurely.
4. Exfoliate for softer, smoother, and more even-toned skin. Our hands are one of the spots we tend to forget to exfoliate. Next time you exfoliate your face, use any excess remainders on the backs of your hands. It’ll be a surefire way to help you remember and not let any product go to waste, and a definite hand model move.
5. Use serums on the backs of your hands. I’ve taken to using drop of Vitamin C Serum on both hands prior to applying hand cream; it’s been a crucial step of my evening regimen since reading up on Jill’s tip a few weeks ago. I have some hyperpigmentation and scarring that’s been stubborn to fade the past few years, but since incorporating Vitamin C Serum into my hand care routine, the spots are nearly gone. Try it. I implore you. My mom has followed suit, using the Peptide Renewal Serum as a moisture-intensive treatment that also targets fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity.
6. Treat your hands once a week. I’ll slather on serum, hand cream, and Cuticle Cream before slipping my hands into cotton gloves as an overnight treatment. Come morning, you won’t be able to get over just how baby-soft and smooth your hands are.
7. A fresh mani helps too! It’s all about presentation. Keep your nails simple or as extravagant as you’d like, but chip-free is key.
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