Prep for dry skin season with these mani must-haves.
As soon as temperatures drop, our skin is the first to feel the effects. And while we often focus our attention on the face, the skin on our hands is equally vulnerable to dryness. Between the recent uptick of extensive hand washing to prevent the spread of germs, and being exposed to the elements outside as well as the heated air inside, hands are particularly susceptible to becoming red, rough, and chapped.
The key is to protect the outermost layer of your skin, also known as the stratum corneum or skin barrier, which is made up of tough skin cells and lipids. “When that barrier is weakened, skin becomes more prone to inflammation and redness, which is at times painful to the touch,” explains celebrity manicurist Pattie Yankee. “Itching, roughness, and eczema are common occurrences in the winter months- nails and the surrounding skin are more prone to cracks,” she says. Fortunately, there are things you can do to guard your hands, but it’s crucial to put your mani maintenance in place before they become parched.
Start by finding a good moisturizer. You want one that will not only deliver moisture to the skin (emollients) but will also keep the skin hydrated (humectants). Timeless Anti-Aging Daily Hand Treatment provides advanced skin-hydration to plump the skin and improve its firmness while protecting against free radicals, which can further promote dryness. However, applying once is not enough. Remember to apply and reapply multiple times throughout the day. Also, keep a healthy stock in your car because chances are that your hands will get dried out by contact with snow as well as the chilling winter weather!
When caring for your hands, don’t forget about your nails and cuticles, as they too are prone to becoming dry, brittle, and ragged during wintertime. “My No. 1 remedy is applying cuticle oil twice daily to nails and surrounding skin,” offers Yankee. Revital-Oil Nail & Cuticle Treatment is a must-have product to hydrate moisture-deprived skin as well as target brittle and splitting nails.
If skin takes an ugly turn from simply rough and parched to cracked or bleeding, you’ll want to up the ante on your skin treatment to a more therapeutic moisturizer. Look for ones rich in hyaluronic acid or shea butter. “Avoid over-using hand sanitizers and antibacterial soaps in the winter months, as they will further aggravate already dry skin,” states Yankee.
HANDY TIP! An ultra-hydrating treat for your hands is to pair your favorite treatments with a pair of thin, soft, cotton gloves! Just before bedtime, load up on hand cream, cuticle cream, and cuticle oil and slip on the gloves. In the morning, you’ll be amazed at how much of a difference this will make to your hands. You will see and feel a noticeable change in your nails, cuticles, calluses, and the rough skin on the back of your hands.
