9 Tips For Caring for Your Hands
A lot of life happens through our hands. With them, we labor, love, and care for ourselves and others. Although people commonly look to your face to determine your age, your hands are one of the key giveaways of your real age. And like your face, if improperly cared for, your hands can make you look older than you really are. And nobody wants that!
While handwashing has always been an important part of a healthy routine, it is emphasized now more than ever as an essential task in the prevention and spread of disease. Add with the constant use of alcohol-based sanitizers, your hands are likely feeling a little unloved.
We want to share our simple techniques to keep your hands looking (and feeling) their best.
Caring for Your Hands
1. Start with a Gentle Soap
Many of today’s commercial soaps are riddled with harsh detergents that can strip your hands of their natural, protective barrier. Certain ingredients, such as sulfates and parabens can cause irritation and other health concerns. Science has generally concluded that plain soap is effective against the spread of disease. (1)
We recommend using a gentle, ‘milky’ type hand wash, such as Bee Naturals Aromatherapy Self Foaming Hand Wash. This detergent and sulfate-free soap is made with honey and coconut oil, which are naturally antibacterial and rich in emollients.
2. Exfoliate the Right Way
Exfoliation should be a part of your healthy skincare routine. It removes dead skin cells and aids in improving circulation for the healthy growth of new cells. And that brightened look adds to the youthful appearance of your skin.
There are two ways you can exfoliate your skin: chemically and mechanically. Chemical exfoliation is done through Alpha-hydroxy acids or Beta-hydroxy acids. These treatments are typically reserved for the face, depending on your skin type.
Mechanical exfoliation is a great way to ‘scrub’ your dead skin cells away. We recommend using a gentle sugar-based scrub like our Citrus Splash Sugar Scrub, or our Honey Sugar Scrub. Use these scrubs several times a week to remove dry, flakey skin. You’ll love the silky-soft feeling of your hands.
3. Avoid Extremes
In your quest to kill the germs taking up residence on your hands, you might find yourself wanting to use extremely hot water. However, studies have shown that neither hot nor cold water plays part in the efficacy of bacterial removal. (2) In fact, extremely hot or cold water can cause undue stress to the skin.
Harsh chemicals used for cleaning can also strip our skin of necessary moisture. It’s a good practice to wear rubber gloves when cleaning.
4. Hydrate
As is the case with many commercial hand soaps, a significant amount of moisturizing products contain ingredients that can be harmful to your skin. Petroleum-based products are a cheap way to soften skin, but they have a dark side. Studies point to potential toxicity if petroleum isn’t properly refined for use in skincare products. (3) Furthermore, many of these products are occlusive, blocking your skin’s natural ability to hydrate and maintain its moisture balance.
Instead, try using creams that contain cocoa butter, beeswax, shea butter, and avocado oil. These ingredients give your skin a nourishing drink of hydration without compromise. We recommend our Bee Naturals Ultra Rich Hand Creme. This emollient-loaded formula soothes even the most severely dry, chapped skin.
5. Show Your Nails Love, Too
Part of your hands’ appearance and health involves showing your nails and cuticles some love. Trimming cuticles was once a part of the manicure process. However, health care professionals recommend against the practice as it opens pathways for harmful bacteria to enter the body.
Instead, try soaking your hands in warm water, then use a cuticle stick to push them back. Follow up by massaging in Bee Naturals Cuticle and Nail Oil for healthy, supple cuticles and nails.
6. When You Sanitize…
In our busy, on-the-go world, you don’t always have access to soap and water. Sanitizers are an effective guard against germs and bacteria (although washing is always the most effective option). Because the CDC recommends using a sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, you can count on your skin getting sapped of its protective moisture barrier.
Have you seen our Bee Naturals Aromatherapy Hand Sanitizer? The refreshing scent of lavender and orange, combined with skin-softening glycerin make our sanitizer a handy, luxurious way to protect you and your loved ones.
7. Sun Protection
When you apply sunscreen, you are likely diligent in covering your face, shoulders, and arms. The tops of your hands, however, might get overlooked. Guard against brown spots, aging, and the harmful effects of UV damage by applying SPF 30 often.
8. Guard Against Aging
Because our hands, like our faces, can show signs of aging, using a high-quality anti-aging serum with Vitamin C and/or peptides can help maintain your hands’ youthful appearance. Wanting a more in-depth look at the benefits of peptides in the battle against aging? We’ve covered that topic on this blog.
You’ll love our Bee Naturals Ultra AA Serum, loaded with the best anti-aging ingredients science and nature have to offer. We recommend sharing the love with your hands, after applying this serum to your face, as part of your morning skincare routine.
9. Treat Your Hands to a Spa Day
Looking for a way to pamper yourself or a loved one? (Or, have your loved one pamper you?) Treat your hands to a spa day by using our Bee Naturals Detox Facial Masque. Follow up by massaging Bee Naturals Hand and Body Nectar onto your hands, then wrapping them in a warm towel.
Are you looking for more ways to improve your skin’s overall appearance and health? We’d love to connect with you! At Bee Naturals, we are committed to formulating and producing skin and body care products that help promote healthy skin and body for your overall well-being.
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