Our skins are very delicate, especially the parts that are exposed to the sun like our faces, neck area, hands, and legs. That is why we have to protect them with specialized products like eye cream, sunscreen, hand cream, moisturizers, and other cosmetic products.
Most times we neglect our hands or think it’s not as delicate as say the face and the neck. But you should know, the skins of our hands are not as durable as you might think. They also need to be taken special care of with hand creams.
One thing we should remember about our hands Is that it is used for everything, even the smallest or mundane things. That is why they are always exposed to external factors and pollutants. Things like dirt, oil, grease, pollution, and others are experienced by the hand. Let’s also not forget the sun and its UV rays. All these things affect the hands.
That is why we need to take special care of them with a product like a hand cream to help us keep our skin hydrated and moisturized. This article will guide you through everything you need to know about hand creams, why you need them, and the best ones to buy.
Shopping Criteria
The skin at the back of the hands is naturally thinner and ages as fast as the face also. And since we use our hands and expose them to all kinds of things including the sun, we need to protect them. That is why you need the hand cream.
Using a hand cream will help protect your hands from these external factors and dehydration. This section will provide you with answers to important questions about hand creams.
What is a hand cream?
Hand creams are lotions or creamy products used to protect the hands from the sun’s UV rays and any other harsh external factor it might come in contact with. The hands go through harsh activities like washing dishes, touching things, lifting things, typing, writing, cutting, grabbing, and others. These activities one way or the other affect our hands.
That is why we must use hand creams, to not neglect them as they got through these activities that might damage them or leave them dry and wrinkly. Like eye cream and moisturizer repairs and protects the eyes and face, so does the hand cream protect the hands to keep them hydrated and moisturized.
Why is using a hand cream important?
Our hands are like tools we use several times a day for daily tasks. This means our hands are being constantly used for one thing or the other. They are also the first that will show signs of aging because of their constant use.
One thing we should know about our hands is that the back of the hand is much thinner and has fewer sebaceous glands. This means they dry very quickly. On the other hand, the palms are thicker and hard to penetrate. That is why hand creams with rich and full of moisture-binding ingredients are necessary to penetrate the skin layers. When you keep your hands moisturized, you can slow the aging process down.
To keep your skin hands healthy, you have to rehydrate them regularly, especially when they are showing signs of drying. If this is not done in time, your hand skin might become cracked and it will be susceptible to wounds and cuts. And the good thing about hand creams is that they work fast, are simple to use, and are inexpensive.
How does a hand cream work?
Though hand creams are just like moisturizers and eye creams when it comes to texture, they are different from the other cosmetic or beauty products used for the skin. Our hands require a special type of care, so the first thing you must do is buy a hand cream with sunscreen. The hands are always exposed, thus they need to be protected.
You also have to be consistent with your hand cream use. This is because consistency will keep your hands from drying out. This also includes after you wash them with water to keep them moisturized. A hand cream works are like a film, covering the skin to keep it moisture-tight and sufficiently hydrated.
What are the ingredients in a hand cream?
A hand cream’s formulation is very important. This is because certain aspects need consideration before buying. Hand creams have a different composition and the condition of your hands determines what you’ll use.
For instance, you don’t have to use hand cream containing harsh chemicals if your hands are in relatively good condition. A lighter formula is good enough. But if you have dry hands, hand cream with thicker and moisturizing properties will be good for you.
There are active ingredients in a hand cream that help to nourish and protect your skin. Ingredients like shea butter, vitamin E, essential oil, and glycerin are essential in formulating moisture for the skin. Antioxidants and AHAs are good for anti-aging properties. This will help boost collagen production in the skin.
A good hand cream has the following essential ingredients:
Water: Water is an essential component of any good hand cream. Here, oils and water become mixed, and when the hand cream is applied, the water vaporizes.
Moisturizing components: The most commonly used are glycerin, honey, and urea. This helps the skin to retain air moisture.
Vitamins: Vitamins A, C, and E are often found in hand cream. They not only moisturize the skin but also boost collagen production and soften scars.
Occlusive agents: These are a little bit controversial because they are a derivative of petroleum. But they function as a layer or film over the skin, to protect it from skin dehydration.
Emollient substances: They help to make the skin soft after you apply the cream. They also provide added hydration for mostly older and dry skin.
Acids: Lactic or hyaluronic acid is usually found in hand cream. This performs the function of preventing hydration loss of the skin. It also maintains the elasticity of the skin.
How and when should I apply my hand cream?
You don’t have to follow any laid rules when it comes to the application of hand cream. All you simply have to do is splat a lump of hand cream on your hands. Then you gently massage it into your hands, doing this several times a day. The cream should be applied to both hands and the palms.
You might have to work more when it comes to the palms because it is thicker. The back of the hand is thin skin so gently rubbing the cream is important. This is especially true when it comes to hand creams that contain SPF.
When it comes to hand cream, consistency is key. So you can apply your hand cream as many times as you want, most especially when you have just washed your hands. You carry the cream along with you wherever you go.
There isn’t a strict rule to follow when it comes to the frequency of application. You can use it once or twice a day. Or apply it each time you feel your hands dehydrated or dry. The frequency is up to you and your need for it. But the best time to apply your hand cream is before going to bed. This way the cream can sink deeper into the skin and help it stay hydrated overnight.
What causes dry or peeling skin hands?
There are various reasons as to why you might be experiencing dry or peeling hands. When you experience this condition, you have to be extra protective of your hands. And adding hand cream to your daily routine will go a long way for you when it comes to getting results.
Some external factors can be natural or not that can cause dry or peeling skin. They include:
Type of water: The water your hand comes in contact with plays an important role. Whether it is showering, washing dishes, or clothes, the water might be the cause of loss of hydration. For instance, hard waters rich in minerals like lime may dry the skin out. This is because minerals absorb moisture from the hands and other parts of the body once in contact.
Hand washing routine: It is simple like this- the more you wash your hands, the drier it becomes. You are removing sebum produced in your hands’ skin when you wash them. Sebum in the epidermis serves to protect the hands. If you also use hard water or strong chemicals in soap, your hands may dehydrate faster.
Diet: You should maintain a rich diet in your foods. Healthy oils in nuts, avocados, and salmon can help the skin’s elasticity and hydration. Also, drinking plenty of water will help your skin stay hydrated.
Climate: Be it cold, wind, or sun, natural climate extracts moisture from the skin. This is why it is important to repair the damage to the aging caused to your skin with a moisturizer.
How do I prevent cracking or drying out hands?
Dry skin can be caused by natural or unnatural factors. Some of these factors you cannot control. For instance, if you have a job that requires you to use your hands often, you don’t have the chance of changing careers just because your hands are dry. Also, living in places with extreme weather conditions might affect your hands, but you don’t have to move because of hand care.
The best you can do in such situations is to mitigate the effects. You use hand cream to keep your hands from drying out or cracking. You should also drink lots of water, at least eight glasses in a day, to stay hydrated.
Try wearing gloves during extremely cold weathers or when you carry out an activity that requires rigorous use of your hands like gardening or washing dishes. And then eat food sufficient in vitamins. You can also use supplements if you have natural dietary deficiencies.
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What type of hand cream should I choose?
The skin changes as we grow older, which means there will be certain needs for each stage in our lives when it comes to caring for the skin. For instance, when we age, we need more moisturizing agents in our cosmetic products because the skin loses its shine and becomes drier.
Being exposed to the sun as we age also affects our hands. That is why creams with sun protection help to combat it. And with vitamins A, C, and E, you can repair spots and also collagen synthesis as you grow older. Creams rich in hyaluronic acid or lactic acid are good for older people to help them stay hydrated and also promote skin elasticity.
What do I do if I don’t like the greasy feeling of a hand cream?
If you don’t like the greasy residue of hand cream, it’s okay. Some people don’t like oily hands that may leave stains on objects and clothes. If you fall into this category, you can opt for lighter creams to avoid this greasy residue. Or choose a cream that has a matte finish after use.
How you apply the cream also determines the amount of residue. You should avoid using the creams around the particular time you use your hands more. It might be difficult for you if you use hand cream and it makes your hand slip. The best time to use hand cream in such situations is before bed. This will help you stay hydrated overnight and also not affect your daily routine.
What are the pros and cons of using a hand cream?
Like any other cosmetic product, there will be pros and cons of using a hand cream product. The advantages and disadvantages will keep you informed on what to expect from a hand cream.
Advantages
- It moisturizes and hydrates the hands
- A hand cream repairs dry and cracked skin
- It helps to boost collagen and elastin production in the skin
- It is smooth to the hands
- Can be used anytime anywhere
- Hand cream is good for protecting the hands against harsh elements
- It is inexpensive
Disadvantages
- Some leave a greasy residue slip
- Your skin might become lazy in producing its moisture when you apply hand cream too much.
Shopping Criteria
Format
There are different options available when it comes to hand cream packaging. Most creams come in a tube but you might decide to go environmentally-friendly and opt for a glass-bottled hand cream instead.
Tubes are convenient though because they are easy to carry around. They can fit easily into your bag when you are about to go out. You can opt for a glass-bottled or jar hand cream if you plan to use yours mostly before you go to bed.
Skin Type
Your skin type also determines the hand cream you decide to go for. There are different skin types a manufacturer has to consider when making their product. Knowing your skin type will help you get the best result when you purchase the right-hand cream. For instance, dry skin needs to stay hydrated all the time. You can go for a cream that is less dense to repair and keep healthy skin.
For cracked or lined skins, creams with ingredients like natural oils will keep it smooth. Damaged skins need more attention. That is why you need hand creams with regenerating and healing properties. You should remain consistent in your application routine. And mature skins are special care because they need to be protected from the sun.
Ingredients
Shea butter, lanolin, mineral oil, and hyaluronic acid are some of the best ingredients to heal and protect the skin. They are the best ingredients, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) to heal cracks and other chapped skin symptoms. No matter how a brand can boast of ultimate moisturizing powers, if it does not have any of these ingredients, it’s a bust.
Also, a cream thick with a high amount of oil has a better moisturizing effect than a lotion, which is a thinner consistency. For things or ingredients, we should be wary or steering clear of fragrances and color. They are especially not good for sensitive skin because they can irritate it.
Sun Protection Factor (SPF)
Since our hands are constantly exposed to sun and radiation, we need to protect them. UV rays are the main cause of our skin aging, so to prevent this, we need hand creams with SPF ingredients.
Sun Protecting Factor (SPF) is essential when it comes to sun screening. You should stay away from night hand creams because they might not contain SPF. However, it won’t be hard to find a hand cream without SPF these days, as they are becoming popular with brands.
Texture
Hand creams these days come in different textures like thick paste, liquid, mousse, and oil. If you want to avoid residue on your hands, choose the cream that contains less oil. Also, heavy or thicker creams have more moisturizing elements. You can use those for hands that are exceptionally dry and need more moisture. They also have high absorption properties but you might feel your hands greasy after use.
Recommended Hand Creams to Use
Best Hand Cream for Dry Skin
O’Keeffe’s Working Hands offers rejuvenation for cracked and dry hands. It’s good for people who do active works with their hands. Not only does it instantly enhance the moisture of the hands, but it also seals moisture with a protective layer. You can use it any time of the day.
2. Best Moisturizing Hand Cream
Crabtree & Evelyn provides quality moisturizing hand creams in many scents. So not only will your hands feel smooth and soft, but they will also have a nice aroma. It is highly moisturized because its ingredients include water and macadamia ternifolia seed oil, which has active antioxidants like vitamin E. The hand cream also helps heal cuticles and nails.
3. Best Anti-Aging Hand Cream
If you are seeing age wrinkles on your hands, then Honey Dew’s Anti-aging cream is perfect for you. It’s rich in aqua and shea butter which moisturizes the fingers. It has active ingredients like antioxidants which protect the skin against toxins. It also rejuvenates the cracks and calluses of the hands without feeling greasy.
You can use it for extremely dry hands cases and mildly dry hands. O’Keeffe also doubles as a pain relief to hands that are wrinkly.
Summary
The hands are as delicate as the face and neck, they also age as fast as them too. That is why you need to protect them with hand cream. A hand cream moisturizes, hydrates, heals, and also protects from UV rays.
You need to have your cream handy in your bag whenever you are out. It is also important to use a hand cream after washing your hands because water dehydrates the thin skin of our hands.
Using hand cream will be beneficial to you no matter your age. And if you don’t like the greasy residue, there are alternatives. All in all, hand creams are essential to skincare because they protect our most used tool, our hands.
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