How to Take Care of Ageing Hands Hands feeling dry, lacklustre and in need of a little TLC? As important as a regular skincare routine is, this also applies to our hard-working hands too. With over a decade of experience in the industry, discover how to reduce the signs of ageing on your hands with expert advice from our Product Manager, Robin Fisher. “As we get older, skin loses collagen which can make it appear dull and sallow. The skin on hands is very thin and delicate – it’s often the first place where wrinkles and fine lines will begin to appear, so giving hands proper care and attention should be a lifelong commitment. If you’ve neglected your hands up until now, it’s never too late to start investing in younger-looking skin. And in the current climate, with more regular washing, it’s essential to look after your hands with regular moisturisation.” It’s never too late to start investing in younger-looking skin. And in the current climate, with more regular washing, it’s essential to look after your hands with regular moisturisation. - Robin Fisher, ARRAN Sense of Scotland Product Manager What causes ageing in hands? Ageing happens to us all, no matter how hard we try to stop it. As you get older, your skin loses its elasticity and volume leaving thinner, translucent skin which leads to wrinkles and visible age spots. Ageing hands tend to be dry as older hands retain less water, leaving skin feeling rough and sometimes sore. Unfortunately, losing elasticity in skin is almost inevitable, however there are steps you can take to keep hands looking and feeling younger for longer. 5 Tips for Younger Looking Hands 1. Prevention is better than cure “Protecting the hands against the elements is extremely important to maintain younger-looking skin. In summer, UV rays can damage the delicate skin on hands and in winter, cold, winds and rain can leave exposed hands feeling chapped and cracked. Investing in a good pair of gloves is a helping hand towards better skin. “If, like the majority of the population, you’ll spend time applying sun cream to your face and body but forget the final piece of the puzzle – the hands, then it’s time to change your routine. Hands get nearly as much sun as the face but are often forgotten so invest in a good, non-sticky sun cream.” 2. Use soap and sanitisers that are kind to skin “Harsh soaps can upset the pH balance of the skin on your hands and strip them of natural oils, but there’s no need to substitute a nourishing formula for strong effective cleaning power because it is possible to have both. When looking for a soap that will hydrate your skin as well as cleanse, look for ingredients like vegetable-based Glycerin which is great for sensitive skin and will help lock in your skin's natural moisture. Essential oils is also a great ingredient to look for as they scent a soap without use of harsh chemicals and they help enrich skin. “If, like many, you’re using alcohol sanitisers more frequently then you’ll know they need a high alcohol concentrate in order to kill germs, yet this can have a very drying effect over time. We’ve added Glycerine and Aloe Vera leaf juice to our Hand Cleansing Gel as these ingredients are well-known to nourish and soothe to help combat the drying effects of alcohol.” 3. Moisturise on the go "Regular washing can strip the skin of its natural oils and compromise our skin’s natural moisture barrier, leaving skin feeling dry and cracked. As a result, this can leave skin exposed to germs. I’d always recommend to keep a small hand cream in your handbag to use on the go after every wash, especially in light of our increased hand hygiene over the past few years. The skin on your hands isn't the only area that can benefit from hand cream. As we age, our nails become brittle so moisturising them daily as part of your hand care routine is key. Not only will it help soften cuticles and keep surrounding skin healthy, but hand cream can also help keep keratin on your nails stronger, giving you healthier nails." 4. Harness the power of plants "Natural ingredients where possible are the best thing for your hands, they tend to be kinder to those with more sensitive skin and contain many skin boosting properties. Vitamins occur naturally in plants and are a great ingredient to look out for as they support the repair of cells and can help to decrease signs of ageing - ideal for use on hands which tend to show ageing quicker than the rest of the body. Our favourite plant-pal is Shea Butter which contains several types of fatty acids which is exactly what we look for when looking to moisturise the skin. Fatty acids help improve the skin's natural barrier and has been known to help soften scar tissue therefore great for people who's hands have been through a lot." 5. Sleep your way to better hands “Most of us are clued up on the fact that getting a good night’s sleep can prevent premature ageing, but have you ever thought about how your sleep position can cause wrinkles? If you like to snuggle up on your side with your hands under your face you might want to readjust. Repetitive practices that fold the skin will cause wrinkles over time, so sleeping in a way that causes the skin to crease on your hands and face will affect both of these areas. The best sleeping position for skin is flat on your back with your hands palms down. “Although this can be difficult to maintain while sleeping, so we would recommend massaging a small amount of hand cream into hands before bed to increase hydration levels and help the skin to repair and replenish its natural oils overnight.” Our favourite hand care routine for younger looking skin Firstly, find the right hand wash or soap for you. Our Hand Wash contains pro-vitamin B5 and essential oils which nourishes skin while gently cleansing, leaving hands smelling and feeling great. If you are looking to cut down on your packaging, why not try our triple-milled Soaps? Our vegetable oil-based soaps are great for all skin types and contain Glycerine which helps to lock in skin's natural moisture. For rough, dull hands, we recommend finding a soap with a natural exfoliant like our Apothecary Honey & Oatmeal Soap, which well help buff dead skin away. After washing hands it is important to use Hand Cream to add any moisture that may have been lost, back into skin. Gently formulated with shea butter, vitamin E, beeswax and actives of aloe vera leaf juice, our Hand Creams soothe and hydrate skin. Our current Hydrating Hand Creams are one of our most advanced ever, taking three years of research and development – they’re enriched with active plant ingredients including rowan berry and Icelandic moss extract known for their superior moisturising properties. These are utilised alongside more widely known, skin-soothing ingredients such as vitamin E, aloe vera and shea butter. These active ingredients promote deep hydration which lasts up to 72 hours and can help to reduce the signs of ageing. The perfect remedy for hands on the go! Discover the naturally nourishing properties of our Hand Care range
