Did you know that hands are one of the first body parts to show signs of aging? According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, you can typically guess someone’s age simply by looking at their hands alone. Surgeons are crafty like that, observing what you’d rather have remained hidden. But, why are hands so reflective of our age?

The skin on the back of our hands is much thinner than the skin on the palms and it is constantly exposed to environmental stressors and wear and tear of daily tasks. Yet most of us hear - wrinkles or age spots - and automatically think of face aging. Even though hands can so blatantly betray our true age, don’t worry - there are plenty of ways to keep your hands looking youthful and it’s never too late to incorporate quality, highly-effective steps and proven practices into your beauty routine to refresh or prevent the further aging of the skin on the hands.

1. Moisturize Like A Fanatic

Obsessions get a bad wrap due to the usually present autodestructive YOLO element. But what if you were a kale fundamentalist or a get-your-8-hours-of-sleep utopian? Moisturize like a fanatic, as a deep conviction, and without exception.

Just like your face, the hands need moisture to stay soft and supple. Our skin produces less oil and loses elasticity as we age, leading to dryness and wrinkle formation at an exponential rate. Invest in a good hand moisturizer that contains hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and shea butter to fight this. Apply your favorite moisturizer multiple times a day, especially after washing up or washing your hands (the harsher the soap or detergent, the more important this step), in the morning after you’re done with your facial skincare (sometimes hand moisturizer ingredients can be too heavy for the facial skin, especially if it is oily or problematic and can cause breakouts) and before bed (pick a rich PM moisturizer for max effect).

A good trick is to keep a moisturizer beside your bed, in your bag, and on the working desk so you always have it in sight. Moisturizing is truly your best friend when it comes to tackling the signs of aging.

2. Hide And Go Seek With The Sun

It’s estimated that sun damage is directly or indirectly responsible for 80 percent of skin aging, making it one of the leading causes of premature aging. Our hands are as exposed to the sun as our faces, so it is crucial to remember your sunscreen daily, even if it is cloudy and even not mid-scoring-summer.

The studies show that people who wear sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher daily show 24 percent less skin aging. Remember to apply sunscreen to your hands every time you apply it on your face or when you’re spending extended time outdoors in direct sunlight and (ideally) reapply after washing your hands.

3. Get Rid Of Dead Weight

As in life, so in skincare - something old must go so that new can take its place. We’ve all learned this life lesson, so exfoliate. Exfoliation is the skin equivalent of letting go of what no longer serves you and it is essential for removing dead skin cells and promoting cell turnover. 

Use a gentle, non-abrasive scrub or a chemical exfoliant like glycolic acid or lactic acid once a week to keep your hands smooth and youthful and if you’re more into natural alternatives, you can make an exfoliant at home using sugar, lemon, and some kind of natural oil. Regular exfoliation is also beneficial for enhancing the effectiveness of your moisturizers and anti-aging treatments as they can get absorbed better without a layer of dead cells blocking their path.

4. Invest in an At-home Anti-Aging LED Treatment

At-home LED treatments are booming and taking over the market - because they work. Upon entering our mid-20s (good times), we naturally start to produce less collagen, and as a result, our skin’s healing process gradually slows down as we keep going. Soon, the first discrete signs of aging appear. LED light therapy is an ideal noninvasive, painless, and relaxing skincare treatment that offers plenty of amazing benefits for aging-related skin concerns.

FOREO’s FAQ™ 221 Anti-Aging LED Hand Mask is designed to rejuvenate and restore the youthful appearance of hands and is clinically proven to reduce wrinkles by 32% and to significantly increase firmness and elasticity in just 2 weeks. To boost collagen and tackle signs of aging on one of the most exposed areas of the body, the mask uses 623 optimized points to deliver 8 different wavelengths of LED light into the skin and you can also enjoy FOREO’s signature comfort with an open palm, lightweight and wireless device that allows complete freedom of movement while you rejuvenate.

FAQ™ 200 Collection

For those who believe in the value of the finer things in life, the collectors of exquisite skin-tech as high-impact investments into the future, the FAQ™ 200 device range comes as a comprehensive, holistic routine to quickly firm, rejuvenate, and repair the face, neck, décolleté, and hands. An ultra-lightweight, wireless, and ergonomic anti-aging silicone mask collection with 7 + NIR LED treatments targets the most common signs of skin aging and also includes FAQ™ 202 Anti-Aging Silicone LED Face Mask and FAQ™ 211 Anti-Aging LED Neck & Décolleté Mask.

FAQ™ 202 Anti-Aging Silicone LED Face Mask for the face is wireless, with an open-eye and mouth design and a non-slip headband. The flexi-fit silicone acts as a transparent second skin that molds perfectly to your facial contours for even light coverage.

FAQ™ 211 Anti-Aging LED Neck & Décolleté Mask is a dual-wear LED mask - that can be worn the opposite way to target wrinkles or bacne on the back of the neck, neck, and upper back.

5. Glove Up

When doing household chores, especially those involving harsh cleaning products, it’s super important to wear gloves to protect your hands from chemicals that can cause dryness and irritation, leading to premature signs of aging. Also, wear warm gloves in cold weather to prevent your hands from becoming dry and cracked + just think of Prince, Madonna, and Audrey Hepburn, and treat non-rubber or wooly gloves as a fashion statement!

6. Youth Is A Water Sport

Lack of hydration is one of the main reasons for premature aging so proper hydration is key to maintaining healthy, youthful skin. Drink plenty of water throughout the day (remind yourself with post-its, apps, or via annoying partners, friends, or family members, whatever works for you) to help keep your skin elastic and hydrated from the inside out.

Fixing things from the inside, at the source, is always better than fixing symptoms with topicals. A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals also supports skin health, so do that pantry-deep-cleanse you’ve been talking about to all with ears and focus on plenty of fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats in your meals, especially during summer and high temperatures. If you want to go a step further, you can invest in a humidifier, which can help to add moisture to the air you spend a lot of time in.

7. No Substitute For A Healthy Lifestyle

In addition to genetic roulette (over which you have no control), your overall lifestyle (which is under your control) plays a crucial role in the health and appearance of your skin. Avoid smoking, as it reduces natural collagen production, decreases blood flow, and can accelerate the aging process in general, making your skin dull, greyish, lifeless, and wrinkled. Limit alcohol consumption, try to manage stress to the best of your ability and current life circumstances, and get plenty of sleep to allow your body to repair and regenerate.