Most of us occasionally apply hand cream – if we remember. Yet our hands are essential to everything from communication and physical tasks to our sense of touch.
“We use our hands to express ourselves with communication; we need them for physical jobs, like grasping; but also sensory – for touch,” says Dr Alexandra Kemp, consultant dermatologist and spokesperson for the Skin Health Alliance.
“So it’s really important to focus on hands and not forget them as part of our skincare regime.”
Here’s how to protect them, particularly as the colder months approach.
What makes our hands different?
The skin on our palms is thicker than elsewhere on the body, providing protection against touch and trauma. But the skin on the backs of our hands is much thinner and becomes more translucent with age, making veins and tendons more visible.
“It is really important that we protect that skin barrier function on the back of the hands and give it all the skincare that it needs,” says Kemp.
What should a handcare routine look like?
There’s no need for a complicated, multi-step routine. “Skincare – even on the face – has become far too complicated, and actually you can overload the skin,” says Kemp.
She recommends washing your hands regularly with a gentle wash and applying moisturiser afterwards.
“People forget that. You probably wouldn’t wash your face then leave it – you would definitely put something on afterwards, even if it’s just a moisturiser. The same applies to hands, always put a moisturiser on after you’ve washed them.”
Sunscreen is also essential. Kemp advises applying the same high-factor product you use on your face to the backs of your hands, choosing broad-spectrum SPF 30 or above and reapplying regularly.
“What I say to most of my patients, whatever you’re putting on your face, pop on the back of your hands.”
Which ingredients should you look for?
Hyaluronic acid attracts water to help soften the skin, while ceramides replenish the skin’s natural lipids and help protect its barrier.
Vitamin C is another useful ingredient. If you already apply it to your face in the morning, Kemp suggests patting any excess onto your hands before moisturising.
For rough or dry skin, look for urea at around 5%, which helps exfoliate. Kemp is less keen on using retinol on hands, recommending instead that people focus on protecting the skin barrier.
How else can you protect your hands?
Wearing gloves when cleaning with harsh products is important, as is protecting your hands from cold weather.
“If you are someone who enjoys a manicure, I would avoid having your cuticles cut and removed,” says Kemp, explaining that this can encourage infection.
And when temperatures drop, her advice is simple: moisturise your hands before putting on gloves.