DRY HAND RELIEF: The Ultimate Guide to Healthy Hands this Winter

The cooler months are almost here and we all know what that can mean for our complexion… dry, dull skin. Most of us prepare for the change in seasons by adjusting our skincare routine to support and boost hydration throughout winter, but there’s one area of our body that is often overlooked - our hands. Often forgotten and under-appreciated, we use our hands every day for an endless list of tasks and it’s all so automatic that we generally don’t give these actions any thought at all. Not only are our hands always doing something, they are constantly exposed to the elements and receive no natural protection from regular exposure to sun, wind and environmental stressors that cause dry skin and premature ageing. If you’re suffering from dry hands and want to repair and protect them from signs of premature ageing, you’re in the right place!

Why you need a Hand Care Routine

Dry hands is an obvious skin concern in this area thanks to frequent hand washing and exposure to environmental factors. If left untreated, excessive dryness can lead to cracked skin and rough, calloused build up that can be uncomfortable and painful. Thanks to regular exposure to the sun, wind, air-conditioning, heating and hand washing, our hands can be one of the first areas of the body to show signs of irritation, wrinkles and age spots.

As with the skin on our face, our hands also lose collagen and elastin over time, making them more susceptible to wrinkles and sagging. The skin on our hands is is also thinner than other areas of our body, making it more vulnerable to damage. Add in a lack of hand care and it’s easy to see why our hands are often dry, damaged and showing signs of stress and ageing.

Protecting your hands from within

In addition to implementing a daily hand skincare routine, there are several steps you can take to protect your hands from the inside out. 

Hydrate from within

It might be an obvious one, but it’s crucial to stay hydrated from within for your overall health and wellbeing. As our largest organ, our skin requires hydration from within to maintain healthy moisture balance, improve blood flow to the skin, deliver key nutrients and oxygen, while also cleansing the body of toxins. 

One of the key components of collagen is also water, and we all know how important collagen is for plump, youthful looking skin! Drinking plenty of filtered water each day will help to preserve collagen, along with including hydrating fruits and vegetables like watermelon, strawberries and cucumber into your weekly diet.

Boost Antioxidants

Due to the thin nature of the skin on our hands, along with a lack of natural oil production, providing protection from environmental stressors is essential to maintain healthy skin and providing age defence for our hands. Enter antioxidants. Protecting the skin is kind of their speciality! Enrich your diet with berries, leafy green vegetables and nuts, to increase antioxidants from within every day.

Up your Omegas

With the ability to restore the integrity of a compromised lipid barrier while counteracting dryness and dehydration, Omega 3 Fatty Acids are must eat ingredient to include in your diet for smooth, plump hands. The best source of Omega 3 is a balanced diet rich in raw nuts, fish and plant oils.

Protecting your Hands Environmentally

While it’s near impossible to completely protect our hands from environmental factors, there are some simple steps you can take to physically protect your hands from unnecessary stress and damage.

Gloves

Wearing gloves while doing household chores, gardening, or engaging in any activity that may expose your hands to harsh chemicals or excessive friction can help prevent dryness and irritation. And if you live in a cold climate, you can also protect your hands from the harsh effects of dry, cool air by wearing breathable gloves that will keep the moisture in and dry air out.

 SPF

Did you know that sun damage is the number one cause of premature ageing? Cue SPF, a daily essential to complete your morning hand care routine to fight sun damage, pigmentation and signs of ageing.

Gentle Hand Washing

Regularly exposing the skin on your hands to hot water and harsh soaps will quickly lead to dry, irritated skin. When washing your hands opt for warm water to avoid drying or burning the skin, and choose gentle hand wash that is soap free to avoid stripping and drying the skin.

Must Have Ingredients for Soft, Youthful Hands

With how hard they work and how often they are exposed to environmental stressors, it’s no wonder our hands are often one of the first areas of our bodies to show signs of ageing. You can repair and protect the skin on your hands from further damage, whilst diminishing signs of ageing by looking for hand wash and hand cream that contain the following bio-actives:

Hyaluronic Acid

A well-known hydration hero for good reason, Hyaluronic Acid has the impressive ability to hold up to 1000 times its weight in water, making it an ideal ingredient for dry, damaged hands. It provides an intense burst of moisture to cells, combating the ageing effects of dehydration while plumping the skin.

Vitamin C

This potent antioxidant fights oxidative stress and protects against sun damage, which makes this ingredient particular beneficial for the exposed skin on our hands. As we are unable to biosynthesise our own Vitamin C it is also essential for healthy skin function including the production of collagen.

Licorice Root Extract

Dry, damaged hands can often become sensitive and inflamed, particularly if regularly exposed to harsh elements or over-washing. If this sounds like your hands, Licorice Root Extract is a must have ingredient when it comes to caring for your hands. This potent anti-inflammatory contains high levels of antioxidants to enhance skin healing and brighten the skin.

CoEnzyme Q10

Speaking of antioxidants, Co-Enzyme Q10 is a powerful one which works to scavenge free radicals, preventing and reducing environmental damage. This multi-tasking ingredient will assist with combating signs of ageing including wrinkles and pigmentation.

The Best Hand Cream for Healthy Hands, Skin and Nails

A natural, nourishing, anti-ageing hand cream is essential for healthy hands and skin. It’s also vital if you want to avoid the signs of premature ageing. 

LAMAV’s Vitamin C Hand Cream contains all of the above bio-active goodness, with the addition of our exclusive Ayurvedic Wellness blend. Ashwagandha, Amla and Holy Basil work to fight external stressors and inflammation whilst firming the skin.

Our Vitamin C Hand Cream smells delicious, is fast absorbing and provides a powerful antioxidant shield, making this a must have for your bathroom, kitchen, bedside table and handbag. Apply morning and night as part of your daily skincare ritual and don’t forget to top up after washing your hands throughout the day to replenish moisture and provide further protection from damage and stress. You can also use our Vitamin C Hand Cream to soften your cuticles and nourish other rough areas of the body, such as elbows, knees and feet.

Hand Rituals for Self-Care and Skin Health

If you really want to show your hands the TLC they deserve, why not incorporate a hand care routine as part of your weekly self-care ritual? 

Start with Clean Hands

As with any face or body care routine, it’s important to start with clean hands and nails. Wash hands and nails thoroughly with lukewarm water and a gentle hand wash. Take the time to clean under your nails, around your cuticles and in-between your fingers.

Gentle Exfoliation

If you have a regular skincare routine, it’s likely you have an exfoliant product in your skincare drawer at home. Just as with the skin on our face and larger areas of our bodies, our hands also need a little assistance with exfoliation, particularly as we age. Exfoliation complements your natural shedding process by assisting your skin to remove dead skin cells and dirt that your skin would otherwise buildup without a little help. Exfoliation creates a smoother, brighter complexion, allowing our skincare products to absorb more effectively and their active ingredients to do their job. 

LAMAV’s Exfoliating Mitt isn’t just an essential accessory for tanning prep, it gently buffs away dry patches and promotes circulation to reveal glowing skin on all areas of the body, including hands. Use dry prior to showering or wet in the shower with your favourite nourishing body wash for a softer exfoliation experience.

Inspired by ancient Ayurvedic healing traditions, Garshana dry body brushing is a nourishing ritual that stimulates lymphatic drainage, improves the body’s natural detoxification channels and boosts circulation to revitalise and rejuvenate skin. Incorporate LAMAV’s Garshana Dry Body Brush by gently sweeping the bristles from fingertip to forearm prior to your daily shower and enjoy brighter, smoother skin.

Nourish

Elevate your self-care ritual with LAMAV’s nourishing Hand Cream and Ayurvedic Body Oil post washing and exfoliation. At LAMAV we promote wellbeing practices that de-stress and holistically balance your mind and body, which is why we suggest a nightly hand massage before you hit the pillow. Ayurvedic self-massage can be performed daily at home and its benefits go beyond skin deep. Tired, dry and dull hands will benefit from lymphatic drainage, increased circulation, reduced inflammation and muscle aches, along with boosting hydration and strengthening the skin’s barrier.

 Consistency is Key

Whilst ageing and some exposure to environmental stress is inevitable, there are many steps we can take to protect and nourish the skin on our hands. Showing your hands the care they deserve through the right ingredients, inner health and nourishing skincare practices, you can significantly reduce skin stress and signs of ageing.

 Remember, consistency is key when using skincare products. Incorporate them into your daily hand skincare routine and be patient. It may take some time before you notice visible improvements, but the results will be worth it.