Try these hands-down best tips to care for your digits’ delicate skin
You use them all day, every day, but are you giving your hands the TLC they need? Much like your face, your hands are exposed to the elements more than the other parts of your body. Plus, they’re always in motion: typing on a computer keyboard, taking care of your children, cooking dinner, cleaning up the latest mess, and the list goes on. In 2020, we put our hands through even more, with more frequent washing and sanitizing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The result of not properly pampering your hands? “If you want to know someone’s age, don’t look at their face, look at their hands,” says board-certified dermatologist Diane S. Berson, MD, FAAD, an associate professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medicine-New York Presbyterian Hospital. Once the barrier is compromised—from frequent wetting and not moisturizing enough—Dr. Berson says irritants, allergens, and even infectious particles are more likely to penetrate our skin. This could cause rashes, itchy patches, and other issues. “Severely dry skin can develop cracks—some of which can become deep—and subsequent infections,” she adds.
To give your hands the care they crave, deserve, and need, follow these four dermatologist-recommended tips:
- Carry hand cream with your sanitizer
By now, you’re used to the routine of spritzing hand sanitizer every time you touch a surface in public and washing your hands the moment you return home. Though it’s smart to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, it’s also putting mega stress on your hands. In fact, Dr. Berson says the same wintertime symptoms, like drying or irritation, can pop up with frequent cleansing and scrubbing.
“Antimicrobial cleansers can often be more drying, and sanitizing gels containing alcohol can strip the skin of our bodies’ naturally moisturizing oils,” she explains. They can also potentially exacerbate chapping, irritation, and eczema. Every time you use a sanitizer or wash, apply a moisturizer, too. This will help to repair the damage—and keep your skin smooth. Using moisturizer after handwashing does not negate your handwashing efforts. Even if your hands are dry from frequent washing, continue washing them to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. - Protect your hands from changing temperatures
As the temperature drops, the heat indoors goes up. This makes the air within your home and out in the world drier than in other seasons, causing your hands to become chapped, red, itchy, and in some cases, scaly. This can be uncomfortable for everyone, but particularly for those who suffer from painful skin conditions, like eczema. To protect your hands, Dr. Berson recommends investing in a fragrance-free, dye-free hand cream or ointment. Look for products that contain lipids (like ceramides), humectants (like glycerin and hyaluronic acid), and occlusives (like mineral oil or petrolatum). When these superstar ingredients work together, they ensure your skin is moisturized and hydrated, even on the year’s coldest day. Use products that you squeeze out of a tube, as these are more effective than thinner lotions you pump out of a bottle.
“Moisturizing creams should be used more frequently [in cold weather], especially after wetting the hands,” Dr. Berson adds. Apply your moisturizer when your skin is still damp after bathing or handwashing, or whenever it feels dry. - Apply sunscreen
It seems obvious, but we forget that the sun’s ultraviolet radiation doesn’t discriminate where it lands, and any exposed skin is at risk. When you don’t protect your hands from these harmful rays, Dr. Berson says, you can develop discolored spots (called lentigines or age spots), roughness, wrinkling, and dryness. Hands are also prone to developing precancerous spots called actinic keratoses (AKs), which can turn into squamous cell carcinoma, the second-most-common type of skin cancer.
To ward off these early signs of aging and protect your health, she recommends applying daily sunscreen year-round to all skin not covered by clothing—including your hands— when you are going to be outside. “There are brands that have sunscreens targeted for the body rather than face, often a lotion that spreads easily. But the most important thing is for your sunscreen to be broad-spectrum, water-resistant, have an SPF of at least 30, and spread well for even application prior to going out in the sun.” - Give your hands the star treatment at night
When settling into an evening of self-care that includes comfy pants and a cozy drink, add a hand-care step to your routine. Dr. Berson recommends soaking your hands in warm water or milk before applying a cream or ointment to seal in moisture. Then, put on cotton gloves. Turn on your humidifier before tucking yourself in, and let the cream do its magic overnight. In the morning, you’ll wake with silky, healthy hands ready to tackle whatever the day—or 2021—has in store.
After all your hands do for you, aren’t they worth the extra care? We think so.
DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life.
What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin?
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition.
Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes.
If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider.
What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin?
Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity.
Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C.
Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post.
Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster.
This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster.
While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin.
It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin.
Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning?
Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance.
You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather.
Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.
