We, woman spend loads of time and money on keeping our face flawless, and often neglect the hands. Our hands can be an indicator of your age, just as much, if not more than your face. Pigmentation, dryness and wrinkle age the look of our hands. 

The skin on our hands is very thin and tender; usually it is well-maintained by the production of the collagen, elastin and fat. But after we cross the mark of 30 years, the renewing process slows and gradually shuts down, thus giving them an aged look, this is when we can see the veins protrude and the fine lines appear.

The soaps and detergents are harsh on the skin they break down and dry them, resulting in aged look. Thus repeated hand wash or regular use of antibacterial agent is not advisable, however hand-wash is an essential part of hygiene, the damage can be minimized by the use of gentle soap, and use of gloves while cleaning with harsh detergents. Nails and cuticles are the most fragile ends of our hands, and are more prone to damage, keeping them supple with petroleum jelly or chapstick is an easy hack and avoid nibbling on them.

As time passes by, and the constant insult to our hands, the skin loses its smoothness, a regular oil-based exfoliation is advisable, if you are not a fan of cosmetic products, a home-made exfoliating scrub consisting of olive oil and sugar can do the trick for you! Make sure you lock in the moisture, by applying moisturizer post a shower or washing hands. Most importantly skin of your hands also requires the same attention as your face, so do not hesitate to use sunscreen of SPF 30 or more and marks clearing cream, in case of blemishes and freckles.

-Koya Satyasri