Hands age faster than your face - daily habit is 'key to maintaining smooth, youthful skin'

Sarra Gray
Mon, 13 Apr 2026 11:52:40 +0000

An intensive skin care regime can work wonders when slowing down the visible signs of ageing, and many people have honed their facial regime.

But other parts of the body that show signs of ageing more quickly - such as your hands - are often overlooked. An expert has shared the importance of moisturising every day to slow this down.

Hands can be a big giveaway of age, as the skin is much thinner and more exposed, therefore ageing it more quickly than your face.

They also have fewer oil glands, which is why they can feel drier more quickly. Regular moisturising can help to fight these effects.

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Health and skin care expert at Landys Chemist, Rhysa Phommachanh, spoke about the importance of keeping your hands well-hydrated.

She said: “Keeping your hands well moisturised is key to maintaining smooth, youthful-looking skin. Moisturising helps to maintain skin elasticity and prevent dryness, which can lead to wrinkles and fine lines."

Applying creams to your hands after washing and before bed can really help to lock in moisture and repair dry, cracked areas. You may want to double up on colder days, too.

Be selective with the products you use too, as some ingredients are more beneficial for improving the visible signs of ageing than others.

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Phommachanh added: "Look for hand creams with ingredients like Shea oil, which helps to nourish and repair the skin barrier function, Urea, ceramides and glycerin, which help to keep the skin well hydrated and strengthen the skin's natural barrier to keep hands looking smooth and youthful.

“When using a hand wash, it can also be beneficial to use washes that contain hydrating ingredients like glycerin that cleanse the skin without drying or disrupting the skin’s barrier.”

Hands are subjected to more UV exposure and environmental factors than other areas of your skin, so wearing SPF and considering methods such as LED light therapy, laser treatment or radiofrequency can also be beneficial when advised by your dermatologist.

Indeed, the American Academy of Dermatology Association recommended both of these practices. Experts said: "Applying sunscreen to your hands every day can prevent wrinkly skin on your hands.

"If you haven’t been doing this and now have wrinkly skin, treatment can help. As we age, our skin loses collagen and elastin, substances that keep our skin firm and plump.

"Radiofrequency, a procedure that sends heat deep into the skin, can tighten loose skin. Most people need only one treatment on their hands."

For more anti-ageing advice, experts discuss a trending skin care ingredient that could help "future-proof" skin and protect against visible ageing.