I know I am not alone in saying that COVID is still affecting many areas of my life. Knock on wood, I am vaccinated and healthy, but in random areas of my life, things are still not normal. Maskne is still a thing for me. I continue to wear my mask in public so my skin suffers but a small price to pay to help myself and others stay safe. Putting on lipstick is actually weird now. I went without for so long that now when I put it on, I feel over done. And my hands! I still wash, sanitize, repeat like it is 2020 which has led to dry and cracked skin and cuticles. Again, a small price to pay but it was high time that I did something about it.
The saying goes ‘you can always tell the age of a women by looking at her hands’ – well, not this gal! In my quest to repair the delicate skin on my hands, I have found some great solutions to repair the damage and get your hands glowing again.
Hydration, Hydration, Hydration
A year ago, all we heard was ‘wash your hands’ and ‘use sanitizer’, but they never instructed us to hydrate the skin afterwards. Hot water and alcohol in sanitizers are two culprits that quickly dry out the skin so we have to replenish it with products that contains ceramides, lipids and amino acids. Here are a few of my favorites.
L’Occitane 20% Shea Butter Hand Cream
Eucerin Daily Hydration Hand Cream with SPF30 (don’t forget sun protection!)
Gold Bond Eczema Relief Hand Cream
Treatments
Just because we are talking hands does not mean that we don’t need to talk treatment products. Skin is skin and it needs extra love no matter what body part. I often add in drops of my face serums and oils into my hand cream to ramp up the nourishment especially at night. Got brown spots – add in a drop of your Vitamin C serum? Need extra comfort? Add in some Rosehip Seed Oil for deep hydration.
Aveda Hand Relief Night Renewal Serum
La Mer The Rejuvenating Hand Serum
The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil
For Serious Situations
I have written before about my love of the PMD Personal Microderm Pro device for my face. It also comes with a larger exfoliating disc that can be used on parts of the body. I glide this along the back of my hands and it instantly reveals brighter, smoother skin. I then follow it with something a little unusual….Bag Balm. I was first given this magical product when I was pregnant and needed comfort for my stretched skin. It is a thick, uber comforting jelly-like moisturizer. I apply a generous layer, put on gloves, and let it ‘soak’ overnight. Your hands will look years younger and will take you back to the days pre-COVID where everything was right in the world.
So as we are getting back out in the world, the rules of wash and sanitize still apply. Just don’t forget to take care of those hands that have worked so hard to keep you safe and healthy by showing them some nourishing love!
