Take a look at your hands or that of your spouse, friend, child or co-worker — chances are they are dry and cracked.  Winter can wreak havoc on our hands.  Our hands come in contact with water more than any other part of our skin and unless we constantly moisturize it is a challenge to keep them hydrated.  Oftentimes in the winter, our hands become so rough that we start to get tiny tears, especially on our knuckles where the skin is the thinnest.  So here are a few suggestions for some immediate relief: find a moisturizer that contains lanolin or squalene (emollients that fill the cracks of the skin) or glycerin, hyaluronic acid or lactic acid (humectants that pull in moisture).  It’s just as important to moisturize your skin when it is still damp so it absorbs into the skin.  Try to avoid overly hot water which only contributes to the drying out of the skin and strips our skin of its natural oil.

Lastly, even in winter, our hands are exposed to the harmful rays of the sun.  I always keep a hand cream in the car that contains a broad spectrum SPF 30.  Our hands are exposed daily to the harmful rays of the sun which can cause those aging sunspots.  So make don’t forget to make your hands part of your daily skincare routine and gently exfoliate, moisturize and protect them from the harmful elements and you will love your youthful looking hands.

~Skincare Warrior

Warrior tip:  Before bed, mix a scoop of coconut oil into your moisturizer and slather up your hands.  You will be amazed at how hydrated and repaired your hands will be the next morning.