4 Things That Make Your Hands Age Faster

One area that people tend to leave out of their skincare routines entirely is the hands, but the skin on the hands ages just as quickly — if not more so — than the skin on the face. Our paws naturally come into contact with all kinds of drying elements, including toxins, dirt, and even harsh chemicals as we go about our day, from soaps and sanitizers to laundry products. They also tend to get more sun exposure than other parts of the body. While it's possible to reduce the signs of aging on your hands with at-home topical treatments and even more invasive cosmetic procedures, the best route to soft, even, and youthful hands is care and prevention. You can't stop your hands from aging, but there are things you can do to avoid accelerating the aging process and even counteract some of the damage along the way.

"One of the most common contributors to aging hands is a lack of proper moisturization," dermatologist Dr. Hannah Kopelman exclusively tells Glam. Moreover, Dr. Kopelman shares that a good hand-hygiene routine is crucial when it comes to slowing down hand aging. A lack of TLC will age the skin faster than you can say "hyaluronic acid," as can coming into regular contact with sunlight if you don't use sun protection. You can create a more youthful look by skipping certain nail shapes if you have older hands, but nothing can replace an anti-aging prevention routine. 

Since many of the ingredients that our hands come into contact with on a daily basis are drying, it's crucial to replenish that moisture. "When the skin on the hands isn't adequately hydrated, it becomes prone to dryness, cracking, and thinning, which can make signs of aging more noticeable," Dr. Hannah Kopelman explains exclusively to Glam. "To maintain youthful-looking hands, it's essential to adopt a consistent care routine. Using a rich, nourishing hand cream after washing your hands helps restore moisture and strengthen the skin barrier." If you're in the market, take a look at our list of the best anti-aging hand creams. And if you want to take your routine to the next level, you can add in something like the Gaxcoo Cottonnerie Cotton Gloves, which moisturize your hands as you sleep. 

Along these lines, a second element that can age your hands quickly is constantly washing them — a practice that amped up during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Kopelman tells Glam that even though washing is vital for hygiene purposes, it's important to avoid harsh soaps or washing too much, as this can result in dehydration or even a compromised skin barrier. If you're washing your hands more frequently than the average person — maybe if your occupation requires it or you're immunocompromised — be sure to balance it with extra nourishing products in your hand-care routine. 

"Additionally, incorporating products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and antioxidants can help keep the skin hydrated and protected from environmental damage," Dr. Kopelman adds. Along with regularly moisturizing with products containing these ingredients, the dermatologist recommends exfoliating your hands one or two times a week to shed dead skin cells. The Bella & Bear Very Cherry Hand Scrub is a highly rated vegan option, while the Brooklyn Botany Brown Sugar Body Scrub is designed for the entire body. 

The sun is essential for giving us nutrients like vitamin D, but unfortunately, those ultraviolet (UV) rays can wreak havoc if we're not careful. Along with potentially causing cancer, UV rays can lead to eye and skin damage, making them "another significant culprit [of aging]," as Dr. Hannah Kopelman says. "Many people are diligent about applying sunscreen to their face but forget to protect their hands, which leads to the development of sunspots, fine lines, and skin thinning." To counteract this, the dermatologist recommends wearing SPF on your hands every day, particularly when doing activities where you're vulnerable to the sun, such as driving. Of course, it's essential to wear SPF on exposed skin when spending time outdoors, especially during those summer beach days when the sun is at its strongest. That said, the myth of being able to skip SPF when it's overcast has been put to bed: You even need SPF when the sun isn't obviously shining, as cloud cover doesn't offer sufficient protection from UV rays. You can opt for something hand-specific, like the Gloves in a Bottle Shielding Lotion Sunscreen; otherwise, a regular SPF will do.

It's also important to protect your hands from other sources of damage, such as household cleaning products containing chemicals. "Additionally, performing household chores without protective gloves, such as washing dishes or cleaning beauty tools, exposes the hands to prolonged contact with water and detergents, further dehydrating the skin and accelerating the aging process," Dr. Kopelman says in our exclusive chat, advising the use of gloves for everything from washing your beauty brushes to doing the dishes.