Keep your hands moisturised this winter

You wouldn’t wash your face without applying a moisturiser, so why not do the same for your hands? Hands are our tools and they allow us to carry out daily tasks in the home, at work and in the garden. But we all too often neglect them, leaving them defenceless to the environment and in poor condition.

According to Effortless Skin, one of the first places to show any signs of ageing, your hands can easily give the game away if you neglect them. Using a hand cream is the best way to repair and restore damaged hands, ensuring that they not only look younger but feel softer too.

The skin on the back of your hands is decidedly different to the skin on your palms. The skin on top of your hands is much thinner and has less sebaceous glands, meaning it can become dry very quickly. In comparison, the skin on your palms is a lot thicker, so for moisture to penetrate this area a hand cream needs to be rich and full of moisture binding ingredients.

Along with everyday tasks; exposure to water, chemicals and severe temperatures are the main cause of damage to the hands.  Water is naturally drying for the skin, so even something as mundane as washing up without wearing gloves can cause more harm than good. Hands can become dry, cracked and painful, and are just as much of a problem for men as for women.

Generally, hand creams differ from those used on the body, as the hands require a different type of care. As they are constantly exposed, they need to not only feel good, but also be protected. Using a daily hand cream that contains an SPF is a must (especially during the summer) and one that sinks in quickly means it can be used throughout the day. At night, you can afford to go for something richer that uses more specific ingredients, like one containing anti-ageing or skin lightening properties. For a more intensive treatment, after you have covered your hands in product, put on a pair of gloves. It might look odd, but they will help to lock moisture into the hands and prevent the product from being rubbed off, allowing it to sink in effectively. Wait around 15 minutes, then remove the gloves and you will instantly feel the difference in your skin.

If your hands are in relatively good condition and you don’t work with any harsh chemicals, you can go for a lighter formula hand lotion. These are still moisturising and can be applied throughout the day, but they won’t contain all the nourishing ingredients a thicker hand cream will.

Thalgo Cold Cream Marine Deeply Nourishing Hand Cream is a 2-in-1 repairing balm cream with Cold Cream Marine that nourishes and softens even the driest hands, whilst strengthening the nails. Day after day, the hands regain their softness and the nails are strengthened.