7 Ways to Keep Your Hands Looking Youthful

We often work hard to take care of the skin on our face — we cleanse, we moisturize, and we use SPF and other targeted products to maintain its health and prevent signs of aging. But we frequently overlook our hands, which can show our age more than our faces.

In particular, the back of our hands can reveal the passage of time more visibly than other parts of our body. Thinning skin, age spots, and prominent veins and wrinkles may go unnoticed — until they become more pronounced.

“Hands can show signs of aging early because we use them constantly, and they’re more often exposed to stressors like UV rays, cold weather, and movement,” says María Mohyla, esthetician at LifeSpa in Gainsville, Va. “As we age, we also lose collagen and fat, which can cause our hands to lose fullness and elasticity. Hands can also develop wrinkles, fine lines, broken capillaries, and hyperpigmentation.”

Yet with some intentional care for our hands, we can slow this process and enjoy a more youthful appearance for longer. Learn more about why our hands age like they do and some things you can do to improve their appearance below.

Why Do Hands Age Faster?

There are a few reasons the skin on the hands can age at an accelerated rate compared to the rest of the body.

The skin is more fragile and less able to hold moisture.

“The hands have fewer skin lipids, which are natural fats found in the skin that contribute to hydration,” says Mohyla. “Lipids form a protective barrier in the skin, preventing dirt and impurities from being absorbed. They also help to retain moisture and protect the skin from sun damage. Because the hands have fewer of these lipids, the skin on our hands holds less moisture, especially when we use our hands in almost everything we do and wash them frequently. Therefore, the skin on our hands is simply thinner and more fragile than other parts of our body and requires some TLC.”

When skin is properly hydrated, it appears plumper, which reduces the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles. Adding moisture back into our hands also helps maintain skin elasticity and prevents dryness, which can exacerbate signs of aging.

Our hands are more often submerged in water than other parts of our bodies.

“Frequent hand washing, doing the dishes, and cleaning with chemicals can seriously dry out your hands and cause the skin to react in various ways, which leads to premature aging,” says Christine Eisenbach, esthetician at LifeSpa in Princeton, N.J.

“These elements deplete the moisture and cause the skin to get rough, scaly, and even possibly break open into lesions. If ignored, this can have a long-term effect on the skin, leading to fine lines and less elasticity in the skin.”

We lose collagen and elastin as we age.

“Just like our face, our hands lose fat, collagen, and elastin as we age, which can cause the skin to thin and become loose,” says Tabitha Harrison, esthetician at LifeSpa in Chappaqua, N.Y. “Collagen is a protein that gives the skin strength and resilience while elastin is a stretchy protein (think of a rubber band) that allows the skin to be flexible and return to its original shape. For many, thinning can start around age 50 but can happen earlier. Noticeable signs of this include age spots and discoloration, especially if your hands are exposed to the sun frequently without proper protection. A lack of these proteins can also cause veins, tendons, and even bones to appear more visible, which are often considered signs of aging.”

7 Ways to Improve the Appearance of Your Hands

If you’re concerned about the signs of time showing on your hands, experts emphasize it’s never too early or too late to start a hand-care routine. “Just like your face, your hands can benefit from a skincare routine,” says Eisenbach. “I often tell my clients to simply use their antiaging facial regimen on the skin of their hands too.”

If you don’t have a preventive skincare routine down or could use some extra advice for protecting your hands from damaging elements, experts recommend the following:

1. Use a moisturizing sunscreen on your hands.

The No. 1 tip many estheticians will tell you is to use sunscreen on your hands.

“If you’re only going to do one thing to prevent aging hands, I strongly recommend consistently applying sunscreen to protect against UV damage from the sun,” says Sophie Hertz, esthetician at LifeSpa in Colorado Springs, Colo. “Apply SPF to your hands daily, even on cloudy days. You can also wear driving gloves to protect your hands from sun exposure while driving.”

Mohyla likes to apply a sunscreen-based moisturizer with at least a 30 SPF. “Coola Refreshing Water Cream with SPF 50 is my favorite to use after washing my hands as it helps to prevent sun damage, traps moisture in your skin, and helps make the hands look plumper.”

2. Apply a nighttime hand serum.

Mohyla recommends using a nighttime hand serum. While you sleep, your skin repairs itself from damage caused by UV rays, pollution, and other daily activities; a serum can help speed up this process.

“Serums are also absorbed more effectively at night when you’re not using your hands,” Mohyla explains. “When choosing a hand serum, consider ingredients that hydrate, protect, and soothe, including hyaluronic acid, shea butter or cocoa butter, and aloe vera. Serums that contain vitamin C can also help even out the skin tone. My favorite hand serum for these results is Pro-Heal by iS Clinical.”

3. Consider using other skincare serums on your hands.

Hertz advises using skincare products typically reserved for the face to also prevent aging hands. “Use products with ingredients like retinol, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid to help improve skin texture,” she suggests.

“To lock in moisture, and help the ingredients really get in and promote skin repair throughout the night, I like to wear hydrating gloves or mittens while I sleep,” she says. “These are soft, flexible gloves that are often made of cotton and infused with hydrating ingredients such as oils, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and aloe vera. They are designed to be worn one to two nights per week during sleep to deeply moisturize and nourish the skin on your hands.”

4. Wear gloves during activities that are rough on your hands.

Gloves or mittens can help protect your hands in a variety of situations.

“Wearing gloves during the colder months or when performing activities that are hard on your hands, such as gardening and washing dishes, can help protect the hands,” says Harrison. “Weather-specific gloves help to shield against UV rays and cold winds. Dish gloves help you avoid chemicals that can irritate and dry out the skin, as well as shield hands from water.

5. Stay hydrated.

Just like the rest of our bodies, our hands benefit when we drink plenty of water throughout the day.

“Drinking enough water keeps the skin cells plump and moisturized,” explains Harrison. “This can help reduce wrinkles and make skin appear more youthful. Dehydrated skin can become weak and thin, which can lead to wrinkled hands.”

6. Try a Hydrafacial at the spa.

At-home care is essential, but if you’re looking to treat yourself, LifeSpa estheticians recommend a Hydrafacial treatment.

“Hydrafacials can be done on hands to improve their appearance and texture,” Eisenbach says. “Their hand treatment protocol includes all the Hydrafacial signature steps. For hands that are dry, overworked, or aging, it can take as little as 30 minutes to deliver long-lasting results, including softened fine lines and wrinkles and overall rejuvenated skin.”

7. Keep hand lotion handy.

Regular use of hand lotion can prevent dry and rough skin while providing other key benefits.

“Using a hand lotion can reduce calluses, strengthen cuticles, and soften hard skin,” Harrison says. “Constantly using and washing our hands causes them to lose the natural oils and moisture they need. Applying lotion at least twice per day can provide hydration, protection, and oils and vitamins that help keep the skin looking plump and smooth. Those who live in dry or colder climates may need to apply it more frequently. After washing your hands, I recommend patting them dry with a towel and applying lotion while your hands are still damp to help lock in moisture.”

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