Wanting soft hands goes beyond mere appearances. They are a fundamental tool, and one that is under aggression every day. Even if you don’t pay much attention to looks, you might need to shake hands with someone or your job may require you to have some skin sensibility on your hands to be able to detect textures.
More importantly, you might want soft hands simply to be able to feel the touch of your children with more intensity when you caress their sweet faces.
The point is, there are many reasons for one to want to have soft hands, and below you can find some tips and tricks to help you achieve just that.
Tips and tricks to get soft hands
Prevention is always key to protect the skin from any damage, but it much harder in the case of hands, since they are the primary tool for everything in life. But that doesn’t mean you can’t achieve soft hands even if you work hard with them.
Moisturize frequently
Hands are always under aggression. They are constantly rubbing against something, they are the primary contact point with chemicals, pollutants, water and rough surfaces.
To have soft hands you need to moisturize them often and there is no way around it. You should do it in the morning and in the evening before going to bed, but also every time you wash your hands or you feel the skin pulling.
Exfoliate
Exfoliation is a basic skin care step, but few ever remember to do it to their hands too. The palms are thicker and stronger, but the skin on the back is thin and very sensitive. Exfoliating removes any flaking or dry skin that may be ruining their beauty.
Removing the dead cells also improves the absorption rate of the skin to any moisturizer you apply and make them more effective.
If you want to avoid any chemicals that could worsen your skin dryness, try to mix 1 tablespoon of olive oil, which is moisturizing, with 1 tablespoon of sugar, and gently rub the scrub over your skin.
S.O.S softness
The same S.O.S overnight treatment you use to get soft feet also applies to your hands.
Wash your hands very well and exfoliate them. Then, apply a generous layer of a fat and nutritive moisturizer or vaseline, put on a pair of clean cotton gloves and sleep with them on.
When you wake up the next morning, your hands will be as plump, soft and beautiful as you’ve always wanted.
Avoid harsh detergents
Harsh detergents will dry and damage your skin, leaving your hands sensitive and with a dull appearance, even if you moisturizer often.
When are cleaning your home or dealing with any cleaning or abrasive products you should always wear gloves to protect your hands. However, these harsh detergents are also present in many hand soaps.
If possible, try to always wash your hands with moisturizing cleansers instead and make sure to rinse it off thoroughly. Remember to apply a hand cream afterwards.
Pat dry, do not rub
Water and soaps can dry the skin, so rubbing them dry will only worsen its condition. Likewise, hot-air dryers can also leave your skin dry and sensitive.
Instead, just pat dry your hands with a paper or regular towel and apply a moisturizing cream afterwards.
Use lukewarm water always
Hot water opens the skin pores, which leads it to lose hydration and become dry and crackled. Cold water is not good either because it also dries the skin and it can affect the more superficial tiny capillaries, leaving your hands with a discolored and paled look.
Always apply sunscreen
Hands are usually forgotten when it comes to applying sunscreen and yet they are one of the skin areas more at risk due to their frequent exposition.
This is one of the main reasons why dark spots, often associated with age, first make their appearance in the hands.
To avoid this discolored or hyperpigmented spots, remember to always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with the minimum protection of SPF 15.
You can even combine the best of both worlds and use a good moisturizer cream with UV rays protection.
Make use of home remedies
If you found yourself without any hand cream because you use it so often, you can always make your own nourishing treatments at home.
Butter and almond oil: combine 2 teaspoons of melted butter and 1 teaspoon of almond oil, and massage your hands for 10 minutes with this mixture and leave it in for 15 minutes more. Rinse with lukewarm water.
Egg, honey and almond: mix 1 egg yolk, 1 teaspoon of honey, 1 teaspoon of crushed almonds and 1/2 spoon of rose water. Massage your hands with this homemade lotion for 10 minutes and leave it on for 15 minutes before washing it off with lukewarm water.
