A friend recently shared a chilling story to tell around the campfire. She has what I would call youthful skin for a woman in her late 20s, but I remember a comment made by a Trader Joe’s employee that sent chills down my spine: old Her hands looked so young in comparison to her face, and while this comment alone is chilling enough, it also pinpointed one of my biggest beauty fears: aging hands.
This fear was born when I was a teenager, 15 to be exact. My mother used to throw sunscreen at me to smear it all over my body (and now, more than a decade later, I am eternally grateful for her kindness). When I tried to hand it back to her, she raised her eyebrows and pointed to the back of her hand, encouraging me to apply it too. Till then, the thought had never crossed my mind. It was just the beginning of a long internal battle to protect my hands from the inevitable wrinkles, fine lines and wrinkly skin.
As a beauty editor, I’m no stranger to testing products, devices, and in-office treatments to prevent wrinkles. Most of the experts and dermatologists I interviewed speak enthusiastically about extending your skin care regimen from your face to your neck and décolleté. But it’s your hands that are often the first to show signs of aging. So if neglected hands can look decades older, why bother with a multi-step, preventative facial regime?
The solution to keeping your hands looking young is simple: invest in a good sunscreen and/or hand cream. My problem is that I don’t like the feel of most hand creams. The slippery, oily film that’s left on my hands after using the cream has become one of my biggest pet peeves. Applying hand cream is like doing math in your head, just With just the right amount, you can hold your phone or type on your laptop without leaving a greasy film on the screen or keyboard, and be careful to apply the cream at night after putting your hair up to avoid staining clean hair.
I’m always looking for a lotion that helps me avoid dry, wrinkled hands, but doesn’t make them feel too slippery. And I’m happy to say that these four formulas fit that bill perfectly. If you, too, want to save your hands from the fate of premature aging, I highly recommend these products. Happy shopping!
111 Skin Intensive Black Diamond Hand Cream
This hand cream soaks up the skin, deeply moisturizing yet not weighing it down.
Augustine Bader Hand Therapy
Augustinus Bader is known for its restorative formulas, so I trust this silky cream will rejuvenate my aging hands.
Soft Service Seraplush
Not only does this hydrating formula feel great on your skin, but the glass container looks chic and understated on your bedside table.
Cydia Hand Serum
When I’m feeling especially sensitive to heavy stuff, I reach for this lightweight serum that’s deeply nourishing without the weight of an oily cream.
