Hands up if your mitts need some TLC after year of Covid precautions
After a year-and-a-half of handwashing and sanitiser gels, Anna Burnside talks to hand experts at Arran Sense of Scotland, who offer advice on how we can be kinder to them with winter fast-approaching
AS IF 18 months of non-stop handwashing and sanitising was not enough, our poor hands have now got to face up to winter.
As the weather begins to change for the worse, hands can be one of the first places to be affected. The skin on them is particularly thin, so exposure to cold air and wind can quickly cause dryness, irritation and cracking.
So it’s more important than ever to treat them to a bit of TLC.
The hand experts at Arran Sense of Scotland (formerly Arran Aromatics) know what’s required to keep hands happy.
They suggest starting with a weekly exfoliating treatment. This gently buffs away dead skin cells and enables our skin to absorb additional moisturising ingredients.
So that regular hand washing doesn’t feel like a chore, use something delicious and fragrant to turn every trip to the taps into a treat. Look for hand wash, antibacterial gels and soaps that are enriched with essential oils and skin-soothing ingredients to keep your hands clean and hydrated.
And remember to use warm water rather than hot to prevent dryness.
Gently pat, rather than rub, your hands dry with a towel after washing to avoid causing any excess irritation to your skin.
Keep hand cream everywhere – beside the kitchen sink, in your desk drawer, on the bedside table, in your handbag, in the car.
Pick a scent you like so it feels like a little luxury.
For best results, massage into clean, dry skin until fully absorbed.
When you’re treating your face to a mask, why not give your hands the same experience? Arran Sense of Scotland’s hydrating hand creams can also be used as an intensive hand mask.
Gently massaging hand cream into the skin can help circulation while also having the added bonus of warming your hands up. Apply just before bedtime to allow overnight hydration and repair.
Simply apply to the backs of the hands and leave to soak in for a spot of moisturising magic.
It’s all too easy to overlook our hands when it comes to applying SPF. Yet even in cooler weather, our hands are still exposed to the sun’s rays. Wearing SPF is a simple and straightforward solution to treat dry skin and prevent exposure to the sun’s UV rays which can damage and dry out skin.
Rub sun protection into your hands every morning, no matter what the weather or season.
And when the temperature dips, bring on the gloves. From furry gloves to fluffy mittens to touchscreen styles (for those who can’t put their phones down) there really is something for everybody and your hands will definitely thank you for it.