Beautiful, well-maintained, and groomed hands and nails will always make you feel good. No matter who you are, seeing your hands in the best state they can possibly be will give you a huge boost in confidence.
We use our hands everyday to do almost everything. They’re a part of our body that is constantly exposed to the outdoor environment, public surfaces, chemicals, germs and so much more. There isn’t a moment when our hands get a break until we sleep. Which is why they deserve to be loved and cared for.
Your hands (as well as your neck) will also always show the first signs of ageing. So, it’s very important to look after and care for them to keep them clean and feeling the best. Read through the tips below and try to incorporate these tips into a new hand beauty romance regime for yourself.
Wear marigold gloves when washing dishes or doing housework
Immersing your hands in hot water and washing up liquid will have a drying effect on your hands. If you do this often, you may notice your skin peeling or flaking and feeling dryer than normal. Cleaning with chemicals will also do the same so it’s important to wear gloves when doing these chores.
Keep a hand moisturiser lotion near the kitchen sink, bathroom and in your handbag
Try to keep a moisturiser nearby the areas where you wash your hands with soap so you can immediately moisturise. These are most likely to be your kitchen and bathroom, but do keep them in areas where you spend most of your time too. A similar small tube container can be used to keep moisturiser available in your handbag or pocket throughout the day. This will keep the skin on your hands from drying out.
Don't keep your hands and nails in water for too long
You will most likely wash and dip your hands in water many times throughout the day, but try to keep the length of time your hands are under water for as little as possible. This will reduce the drying effect on your hands.
Clean your hands with a moisturising handwash
There are many handwashes available on the market that contain some moisturising cream or lotion. These will leave your hands soft, supple and hydrated, soothing any peeling or flaky skin rather than drying your skin out further. So go ahead and switch out your handwashes with some that have a moisturising element. Your skin will thank you for it.
Use a nail hardener if you need to
It’s a blessing if you have strong hard nails that don’t break or crack. It’s a good indicator of healthy hands. But if your nails are brittle and weak, it could be a sign that your body needs a little more love and attention. There are many reasons this could be happening, one being that not enough moisture is reaching your hands, especially if you also have dry nails. However another could be that the weak nails are a side effect of stress. For nails to be strong and healthy, they need certain minerals. But when you’re stressed, your body finds it harder to absorb the minerals, meaning that your nails don’t get what they need. One way you can strengthen your nails is to apply a nail hardener on them to stop them from breaking. This will also improve the appearance of your nails.
Read some of our other articles on self-care and health to help you reduce your stress levels.
Use acetone free nail varnish remover
Acetone has a drying effect on your nails, cuticles and skin. It can make your hands go red and flaky, harming the skin. Acetone has been an ingredient of nail varnish remover for so long because of how effective it is at stripping the nail polish from the nail, however, there are many alternatives available. You can find acetone free nail varnish removers available that are equally as effective without drying out your hands and damaging the skin.
Take biotin for stronger nails
Biotin is also known as vitamin B7. It helps metabolise protein building blocks called amino acids which go on to make strong long nails. If you have brittle nails, you can eat biotin rich foods such as egg yolks, avocados and sweet potatoes or take a biotin supplement.
Away from sunlight
In summer keep your hands out of direct sunlight. The ultra violet rays of the sun can age the skin. Apply SPF to your skin about 10 minutes before you go out to protect them from the damage caused by UV rays.
Protect your hands in the winter also
Even though you may think the sun isn’t so intense in the winter or clouds may be protecting you, the damaging UV rays from the sun are still getting through and will damage the skin in your hands so protect them in the winter by wearing gloves. Gloves will also protect your hands from harsh cold winds
Exfoliate your hands once a week
You can use a natural sugar scrub to take off dead cells from your hands leaving smooth supple moisturised skin. A homemade sugar scrub is easy to make. All you need to do is mix a cup of full fat milk, half a cup of brown sugar and 1 tablespoon of runny honey. Store in a glass jar in a cool dry place. Place 1 tablespoon of your homemade sugar scrub in the palm of your hand. Tub both of your hands together gently massaging the scrub all over your hands. Wash with warm water and gently dab dry with a soft towel.
Massage cuticle oil into your cuticles
Cuticle oil is specially formulated to look after your cuticles. It will moisturise and hydrate your cuticles and nail bed. Cuticle oil is available from most health food shops and stores. Most cuticle oils contain vitamin E which will help soften the skin.
File your nails one way only
Filing your nails is important because it will give them shape and make them even. You should always use a wooden emery board and only file your nail in one direction and that should be upwards. You must stop after every swipe and start again. By filing your nail back and forth you will leave the edges rough and maybe frayed.
Hand masks are a must
Hand masks are just face masks for your hand. They are nourishing, hydrating and cleansing for your hands. Hand masks can leave a protective layer all over your hands locking in moisture. You should use a hand mask at least once a month to protect your hands. Hand masks are now commonly available in most stores.
If you would like to share your remedies about how you keep your hands and nails looking and feeling great please let us know on our forum and social media! Share some of your thoughts with others and start a conversation.
DISCLAIMER
Before you start any new diet, health programme, exercise routine, and ingest or topically use any oil, vitamin, mineral, product or compound, it is very important to consult your doctor, therapist or do a patch test to make sure you do not have any adverse reactions.
We do not offer any form of medical or psychological advice. The information in our wellbeing articles are offered for educational purposes only. Our wellbeing articles are not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent any disease. Thank you.
