Mayday--Hand Care Edition by David Pollock, Global Safe Beauty Expert

Have you noticed dry patches or calluses on your hands? How about cuticles crying out for help, yellowing nails and other signs that your hands are less-than-healthy; well you may want to pay extra close attention to the tips I am about to give you.

1. Hydration and Moisture: Moisture is the key to healthy skin and starts on the inside. Your body is made of about 70% water – however, each day, our bodies suffer a loss of moisture and electrolytes. Replenishing our bodies means drinking at least sixty-four ounces of purified water each day. Keeping that water replenished will help keep your skin firmer and healthier, your hands smoother and younger looking. It can be the difference between you being a grape or being a raisin. Even if you are properly hydrated, it is important to keep your skin moisturized from the outside. Hands are especially vulnerable to drying and other damage and maintaining proper moisture levels will help avoid rough patches, calluses, etc.  Using a hand lotion or balm throughout the day will deliver moisture and nutrients from the inside in.

2. Protection is a Priority: As I just said, hands are incredibly vulnerable to damage. Protecting them is not as hard as it may seem, though. Sunscreen is a must every single day. Apply at least a half hour before you leave for the day to prevent the small wrinkles and spots on the hands that often give away a woman’s age. Another easy way to protect is to wear gloves while washing dishes, doing any chores that involve using chemicals, or doing any physical activity that may be hard on the hands like gardening, yoga, certain exercise routines, etc.

3. Be Manicure Meticulous: I don’t mean you should get a full manicure every few days, I mean that your nails and cuticles should be well-cared-for. If you get your nails done at a salon, choose your salon very carefully since equipment that is not properly sterilized can cause some severe infections. Wash your hands often, paying special attention to the area under and around the nail where dirt and germs can often hide. Never leave these areas wet, as that encourages breeding of any germs that may be hiding there. That could lead to not only fungal infections but could spread things like colds, flu, stomach bugs, etc. Damaged or dry cuticles almost beg to cause small infections. I can almost guarantee that if your cuticles are damaged you are going to pick at them. That picking can inject dirt and pathogens under the skin. To help keep your cuticles moisturized and healthy, give this DIY recipe a try:

Cuticle Cream

3 tablespoons Beeswax

½ cup Sweet Almond Oil

1 tablespoon Coconut Oil

1 tablespoon Glycerin

Directions: Combine beeswax and oil in a pan and melt on low heat while you stir. Slowly add in the glycerin and continue stirring. Remove from the heat, mix well and wait for it to cool before using.

Keeping your hands healthy is more than just a matter of looking and feeling youthful and beautiful. Physicians and scientists agree that clean healthy hands are key to preventing the spread of many common diseases. So, the next time you start to feel a bit guilty about your manicures, just remember it’s for the greater good of society!