Get Your Palms in Their Greatest Form Ever

Photo courtesy Jessica Weiser / The Licensing Project

Your hands are often the first stain on your body to show signs of photoaging, not to mention the first to get really dry after months of hand sanitizing and washing. But indulge in a routine – rich hand cream, silky sunscreen, moisturizing hand wash, and even (added credit) an exfoliant – for smooth, plump, calm hands that look and feel amazing.

1

Sun protection

Every time you go outside, your hands are exposed to UV light (they get inside too and when you drive). Most of us tend not to be as vigilant with sunscreens or moisturizers on our hands (as opposed to our faces), and our hands have less fat and fewer sebum glands than most bodies, which means they are both prone to premature wrinkles are vulnerable and look gaunt as we get older.

By far the most effective way to keep your hands hydrated and looking youthful is with daily mineral sunscreen. There’s a new one that’s specially designed for hands. It’s a super-luxurious take on something we’ve been looking for, from a new brand we love, Unsun. It was created by Katonya Breaux (who happens to be Frank Ocean’s mom) when she couldn’t find mineral sunscreens that blended seamlessly into black skin. Their formulas blend into every skin tone in seconds, and everyone should have the hand cream in their pocket.

1. Silky (mineral) sun protection
   and hand cream in one

   This has an immediate effect on all skin types and tones, makes it soft, ultramoisturized and above all protects against UV rays – pure genius.

   
   Unsun Hand Cream SPF 15 goop, $ 27

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3

Washing up

What you choose to wash or disinfect has a significant impact on how your hands look and feel. Formulas that work without the drying and drying detergents commonly found in conventional laundry detergents and disinfectants help keep the skin’s moisture barrier intact with plant extracts, butters and oils.

1. Creamy laundry with a neroli scent

   This hand cleaner is swirled with detoxifying plant butters and moisturizing oils that lather beautifully. Dirt and impurities are thoroughly removed.

   
   Sangre de Fruta Neroli Noir hand wash goop, $ 48

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2. Gentle (but thorough) disinfectant

   With 62 percent vegetable alcohol, plus marula and almond oils, this gel does some germ-fighting magic (and it dries instantly).

   
   Megababe Squeaky Clean hand sanitizer goop, $ 6

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3. Extra Credit: Peeling!

   By removing dead and damaged skin, moisturizers can penetrate the skin better. This also makes a lighter tone visible underneath.

4. Smoothing body peeling

   Alternatively, you can scrub your hands a little while showering. Massage the highly moisturizing (and heavenly rosemary and grapefruit scented) blend of essential oil and salt over your hands.

   
   goop Beauty G.Tox 5 Salt Detox Body Scrub goop, $ 40

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5. Chemical peel once a week

   When doing a deep scrub with Goops Night Scrub, smooth the textured, rougher side of the pad over your hands before retexturing, lightening, and prepping your hands for moisturization.

   
   goop Beauty GOOPGLOW 15% glycolic acid
   Overnight Glow Peel goop, $ 125 / $ 112 with subscription

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