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Soft, Healthy-Looking Hands
Easy ways to keep your skin radiant during the holidays
From preparing holiday dinners to wrapping gifts, your hands will be working hard this season. Plus, you’ll be washing them more than ever, which can lead to dry, cracked skin. Keep your hands looking lovely with these tips from Sandy Tsao, M.D., director of dermatologic surgery at Harvard Medical School.
Cleanse With Care
“Water strips away your skin’s protective lipids, and this can lead to dry skin,” Tsao points out. When washing your hands, always use lukewarm water and a gentle moisturizing cleanser (regular soaps can sometimes be drying). Afterward, coat damp skin with a rich hand lotion to lock in moisture.Cover Up
Household cleansers can irritate hands, Tsao warns. To protect skin, slather hands with lotion, then pop on rubber gloves before washing dishes or cleaning the tub. The heat from the water will help work the lotion into your skin, softening hands in minutes.Ward off Winter
“Freezing wind and dry indoor heat are the two main culprits of dry hands,” Tsao says. To keep skin intact, bundle up when you head outdoors. “The colder it is, the more insulated your gloves should be,” she recommends. Choose a pair with fleece or wool lining. To protect against dry heat, apply a thick moisturizer to hands before bed. “The thicker the better,” Tsao adds.Leave Cuticles Intact
You may want your hands to look pretty this season, but beware of cutting cuticles when manicuring your nails or having them done by a pro. Instead of clipping, soak hands in soapy warm water, then gently push cuticles back with an orange stick. Next, massage lotion into skin for touchably soft hands all season.Rate this article:
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