Aside from our face, one area that’s had a bit more air-time (for once) recently, is our hands. We’re all stocked up on anti-bac at this point. We’re much more aware of the things we’re touching when we’re out and about. We’ve had to sanitise our skin until it’s red and sore. And yet, how many of us have set aside time to layer back in all the moisture that’s being lost?
Think about it. We’ve got numerous steps for our complexions – cleanse, tone, moisturise, exfoliate, mask, serum, etc – but when it comes to our hands, we might just about stretch to a hand cream. However, our hands are working harder and facing more affronts than any other area of skin on our body.
So, they’re due a little spa sesh, don’t you reckon? And, if we’re going to be really fancy about it, we might as well dub it a “hand facial”. Here’s how to give ’em the glow-up they deserve…
Step one: Gently Cleanse
A hand facial follows much the same system as a regular one, so kick things off with a very gentle cleanse. “Liquid hand soaps and sanitisers are convenient but the harsh, synthetic ingredients they often contain are not kind to our skin,” explains CEO and Founder of Little Soap Company Emma Heathcote-James. All that alcohol is great for killing bacteria but it strips skin of moisture and can cause a lot of irritation. So, choose a gentle formula with nourishing ingredients. Little Soap Company’s Mediterranean Pure Olive Oil Soap Bar, £3, is jam-packed with nurturing olive, rapeseed and coconut oil to soften skin as it cleanses.
Step two: Lightly exfoliate
Our hands have already seen their fair share of abrasive substances, so keep this step nice and light (and, if your hands are cracked and sore, skip it), but a little bit of delicate exfoliation can polish away dead skin cells and leave hands feeling softer. Avene’s Gentle Exfoliating Gel for Sensitive Skin, £13, is technically designed for complexions (making it extra gentle), but exfoliant jojoba beads and antioxidant-rich niacinamide were specifically chosen for their extreme tolerance on sensitised skin.
Step three: Deeply moisturise
The “ahhhh” step for hands that are crying out for some moisture. Rather than a quick dab rubbed in between tasks, wait until you’re in front of your fave Netflix marathon and apply a thick layer of hand balm, like you would a mask. To really help it marinate, stick an old pair of socks on top to lock all that moisture in and leave your hands to soak up all the nutrients. OTO’s Ritual CBD Hand Balm, £29, (which you can also find in GLAMOUR’s Wellness Edit Beauty Box) is infused with soothing and repairing ingredients like CBD, shea butter and aloe vera to protect, heal and leave hands silky soft.