How to get rid of your dry hands

We have high expectations of our hard working hands and offer them very little in return. They are immersed in water for long periods of time, forced to bare extreme temperatures and are often used as tools for the grimiest of jobs. As with life you get out what you put in, so it’s about time we offered our hands some TLC! 

The top tip we always aim to follow, is wear gloves! The wool variety for extreme temperatures and the rubber variety for all household chores. There’s no beauty myth here, prolonged exposure to water and chemicals really does damage the hands, so if you don’t have the gloves, the jobs just cannot be done (oh what a shame)! 

 

We wash our hands umpteen times each day, with hand-soaps having such a drying effect on the skin, our hands can begin to appear ashy, this indicates severe dryness and dehydration, most commonly caused by your hand soap. Even washing your hands can become a treat with L’occitane’s Shea Butter Ultra Rich Hand and Body Wash (£14), containing shea and oat milk – well known for their highly moisturising properties – the rich and creamy lather offers a gentle yet effective cleanse. 

While you’re applying your weekly face/hair mask and before you reach for the magazine, exfoliate your hands with L’occitane Shea Butter One Minute Hand Scrub (£13). This bi-phase formulation offers the exfoliating power of organic brown sugar, which banishes those dulling dead skin cells. This combined with a nourishing blend of shea, sweet almond and grape seed oil, offers a surge of moisture, where it’s most needed. 

Neat cuticles can make or break a manicure, so keep a pot of Liz Earle’s Super Balm (£16), on your nightstand, before your head hits the pillow. Ensure you massage this super-by-name super-by-nature balm into your cuticles. With rosehip oil, essential oil of neroli and vitamin E, it nourishes even the driest of cuticles, while the massaging action stimulates nail growth. It’s also a quick fix for not-so-hot looking nails, just massage a small amount over the nail plate, taking your nails from drab to fab in a matter of minutes. 

Applying hand cream each day is an essential part of any journey towards the body beautiful. The much loved and award winning brand Palmer’s has recently expanded its range, to include hand creams, with the natural and unforgettable aroma of cocoa, their lotions offer the perfect chocolatey treat, minus the guilt trip. 

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Eventone Age Spot Hand Cream (£3.98) targets age spots and discolouration, while protecting skin from the damaging effects of the sun. Packed full anti-ageing ingredients such as Niacinamide, a powerful rejuvenator and vitamin C to brighten the skin. 

Our pre-bedtime hand cream of choice is Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Intensive Relief Hand Cream (£2.99); its beautifully rich texture floods our parched hands with urea to help boost and maintain moisture, soy and oat to relieve irritated skin. 

Keep this helping hands routine up and you’ll save time when performing an at home manicure – your nails will grow stronger and longer – and your hands will age gracefully. Once again it’s The Upcoming beauty team to the rescue! 

Lisa Bramley 

To see more from the fantastic brands mentioned, visit the links below:

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