Hands-On Hand Care
Post-pandemic, we’ve gotten pretty good at washing our hands. And while this is a positive, it is actually just one element of hand care for maintaining healthy hands and protecting our skin barrier.
The skin barrier is our body’s first line of defence against environmental stressors such as UV rays, pollution, germs and irritants. When compromised, the barrier struggles to retain moisture and protect us, which can lead to dryness, irritation and increased risk of infection.
Our hands are particularly vulnerable. They’re constantly exposed to the environment and often subjected to frequent washing with harsh soaps. As a result, they are even more susceptible to germs, environmental stressors and damage than most other parts of the body.
In this journal entry, I’ll share my expert insights on how to care for your hands and nails, the ideal hand care routine and answer some of the most common hand and nail care questions I hear in my clinic.
How To Take Care Of Your Hands
Caring for your hands is important, but it doesn’t need to be complicated. The key is to follow a thoughtful two-step hand care routine consistently throughout the day:
1. Cleanse: Wash your hands regularly to remove germs, pollutants and irritants. Choose a hydrating cleanser that won’t strip your skin but will cleanse while protecting the skin barrier.
2. Treat: Apply a hand treatment immediately after cleansing. Look for a formula that nourishes, hydrates and strengthens the skin, leaving your hands soft and resilient.
While this hand care routine is simple, selecting the right products can take more consideration. Look for ingredients that support the skin barrier and promote hydration, including:
Hyaluronic Acid – for deep hydration and improved elasticity
Vitamin E – for moisturising and calming inflammation
Prebiotic Inulin – to support the skin’s microbiome
Peptides – to encourage skin renewal and repair
Amino Acids – to enhance hydration and resilience
Allantoin – to aid cell renewal and reduce water loss
Apple Ferment – to counteract free radical damage and boost hydration
Panthenol (Provitamin B5) – to calm irritation, attract moisture and aid healing
Our Joonbyrd hand care collection was years in the making to effectively (and specifically) treat the skin on your hands. Engineered with hardworking actives, microbiome support and botanical extracts, you can discover PALM WILD Hand Wash, WONDER.LAND Hand Lotion and CONFETTI SKY Multitasking Hand Treatment here.
How To Take Care Of Your Nails
Nail care is just as essential as hand care. Neglecting your nails can lead to discomfort, infection and damage. Here are my non-negotiables for healthy nails:
Keep your nails clean: Regular cleansing will prevent bacteria growing underneath the nail
Don’t bite your nails: This is a recipe for infection – transferring germs both to and from the nail.
Ideally keep nails shorter and snag free: Short, smooth nails are less likely to harbor infection
Avoid Nail Lamps: UV and LED lamps used in gel manicures emit rays linked to skin ageing and damage (you can learn more here). If you use them, apply a high-factor, broad-spectrum sunscreen to your hands around 20 minutes before your manicure for protection
Why Do My Hands Look Old?
In short, the skin on your hands ages faster than your face. The reasons for this are threefold:
1. The skin on your hands is thinner than other parts of your body, which means it’s able to lose elasticity faster and age at a more rapid rate.
2. Your hands are exposed to the elements and environmental stressors more frequently – resulting in a compromised skin barrier, sun spots and wrinkles.
3. On the whole, the hands do not get the same considered skincare routine we afford to our faces. What’s more, the frequent use of harsher soaps and hand sanitisers strip away our natural oils.
A regular hand care routine using specially formulated products will combat the signs of ageing, and leave hands refreshed and replenished.
Handcare Essentials
How To Care For Dry Hands
Ensuring regular moisturisation immediately after washing is the key to maintaining hydrated hands. It’s also crucial to make sure you are using a cleanser that imparts moisture rather than stripping.
If you have very dry skin, using a treatment overnight (and ideally covering with cotton gloves) can work wonders. CONFETTI SKY Multitasking Hand Treatment is the perfect choice.
How To Care For Hand Scars
For new scars, silicone gels or patches are effective first-line options. They can help protect and may flatten and soften scars by creating an ideal healing environment.
Additionally, it is important to moisturise daily using a deeply hydrating, non-perfumed cream such as E45 Cream. Make sure to massage the cream into the scar for about five minutes each day, as this will help soften the scar, and keep it supple.
For more stubborn or older scars, advanced therapies like laser treatments and microneedling can improve texture and discolouration.
How To Take Care Of A Hand Tattoo
A fresh tattoo is a micro-injury, so caring for it properly helps preserve the ink and support healing:
– Leave the original covering on for the duration recommended by your tattoo artist, usually around 24 hours
– Once removed, cleanse gently with soap and lukewarm water, then pat dry using a clean paper towel
– Apply a light layer of a tattoo-safe moisturiser such as Bepanthen or Aquaphor
– Repeat daily until the tattoo is fully healed. Avoid picking at scabs, as this can cause damage or lead to infection
– Don’t submerge your tattoo in water (i.e. in a swimming pool or bath) until healed. Once healed, apply sunscreen daily to prevent fading and protect your skin
