Your hands are always on show, and can be the first giveaway when it comes to your age, but the good news is, they’re easy to take care of with the right products.
ALSO SEE: 6 ways to make your hands look younger
Here’s how to age-proof your hands
Use sunscreen and nourishing ingredients
Your hands are always exposed to the sun’s harsh UV rays, and don’t have much fatty tissue to shield them. Therefore, they’re the first to show signs of dryness and damage. Keep a hand cream with built-in UVA/UVB filters in your handbag and reapply at least twice a day.
Try Nivea Anti-Age Q10 Plus Hand Cream, R41,99 for 75ml with built-in UV protectors to shield against sun damage and age spots.
Or, The Body Shop Almond Milk and Honey Calming and Protecting Hand Cream, R70 for 30ml with soothing, protective ingredients such as sesame oil, shea butter and sweet almonds.
Invest in a good facial anti-ageing serum
Try it under your hand cream – it might be costly but it’s worth it, and a little goes a long way to help protect and nourish your hands long-term. We love Clarins Double Serum Complete Age Control Serum, R935 for 30ml, which may help prevent further age spots and wrinkles.
ALSO SEE: 6 anti-ageing tricks to keep you looking young
Shape your nails
Right now, nails are definitely longer, less square and more oval. Keep them neat with weekly filing and buffing, which prevents splitting and snagging. Glass nail files are a good investment, like the Elegant Touch Pink Crystal Glass File, R70, which is designed to help prevent splitting and peeling.
Make a statement with colour
Sprucing up your nails with a vibrant colour is one of the best ways to ensure your hands look younger. This season, blush peaches and cornflower blues are making a comeback and we simply can’t get enough! Try Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Color Malibu Peach, R129
For a professional looking manicure, add a few drops of Mavala Oil Seal Dryer, R223 for 10ml, at the end to keep your colour from smudging.
ALSO SEE: Easy steps to flawless eyes, skin and nails
Take care of your cuticles
It’s the hallmark of great nails, so don’t wait for a manicure! Massage in a bit of oil or cream whenever you get the chance. We’re addicted to Sally Hansen Vitamin E Nail & Cuticle Oil, R102,95 for 13.3ml. Its not new, but it’s still one of the best.
Quick Tip: Work a little body scrub into your nails when you’re in the shower to make cuticles clean and fresh. Try The Body Shop Wild Argan Oil Exfoliating Body Scrub, R215 for 250ml.
Keep nails looking fresh
A good-quality protective base coat will prevent nails from yellowing, and can extend the life of your polish. Wet n Wild Megalast The Saving Base, R64,95 is great value for money as it promises to brighten, strengthen, conceal, protect and brighten nails.
