Age-proof your hands
Best for age spots
Dark spots may be caused by sun exposure, but they’re prominent year-round. What can help: licorice root extract. When used topically, its compound glabridin suppresses the enzymes that overproduce melanin (skin’s pigment), while its liquirtin increases cell turnover to lighten existing spots, says New York City dermatologist Ellen Marmur, M.D.
TO DO: Dab a cotton ball soaked in a licorice-infused serum (like Skin Power 10 Formula LI Effector with Licorice, Amazon.com) onto spots twice daily for results in six weeks. A recent survey found that 65% of women believe their hands make them appear older than they actually are. Even worse? When hands are parched, it puts any aging arghs on full display. Here, simple solutions that work to turn back the hands of time!
Best for painful cracks
Extreme dryness makes hands’ thin skin prone to redness and cracking. But you can soothe the ouch with honey, says Dr. Marmur. Studies show honey’s antimicrobial properties heal cracks and prevent infection, plus it’s an anti-inflammatory that calms irritation and an emollient that hydrates and locks moisture into skin fast.
TO DO: Mix 2 Tbs. of honey with 1 Tbs. of coconut oil (it moisturizes). Rub onto tops of hands, cover with cotton gloves (like Beauty 360 Renewing Spa Gloves, CVS.com) for 15 minutes, then gently wipe off with a damp towel.
Best for wrinkles
As collagen production slows and hands lose their youthful volume, wrinkled skin, bones and veins take center stage. The age-defying in-office breakthrough? Restylane Lyft injections. The same hyaluronic acid filler commonly used to plump the face is now FDA-approved to add volume that minimizes wrinkles and boosts sunken areas for younger-looking hands in an instant, says Dr. Marmur. The downside: The 20-minute treatment (which lasts for up to six months) costs around $650 per syringe.
An at-home alternative for less than $10? Retinol-infused gloves
(like Earth Therapeutics Anti-Aging Retinol Hand Masks, Kohls.com). They rest directly on the skin to help the vitamin A derivative deliver anti-aging effects more deeply into hands, revving the production of skin-firming and plumping collagen. Simply wear for 15 minutes twice a week for results in one month.