Gracefully aging is an art. We do our best to eat well, exercise, and take care of our bodies, but what about other places that show signs of age that you’re not really interested in displaying? Our age starts to show in the areas with the most movement and exposure, and it’s no surprise when our faces and necks begin to look a little different. But highly-exposed hands are no stranger to aging either, and no one wants to feel self-conscious about giving a handshake. That’s why using the best anti aging hand cream is the ideal complement to your self-care beauty routine. With the right products, aging hands can be a beautiful thing.

Why Use an Anti Aging Hand Cream?

Aging is a normal, natural occurrence that we’re lucky to experience as the years go by. There are many factors that determine how our skin shows signs of getting older, from genetics to lifestyle choices. And unless you’re always rocking some stylish 1950’s-era driving gloves, our hands tend to receive the brunt of pro-aging factors like sun exposure and excessive dryness. This can result in wrinkles, age spots, and a loss of fullness in appearance.

What’s a fabulously mature person to do? Incorporating the best anti aging hand cream is a great way to get protective, beautifying results at home. Look for the following ingredients that will deeply hydrate, even tone, and improve the overall appearance of your hands:

• Retinol/Retinyl Palmitate – Retinol and its gentler friend retinyl palmitate are forms of vitamin A that, when used topically, can help smooth skin and improve tone by increasing cell turnover and collagen production.
• Vitamin C and E – Antioxidants that help prevent skin damage on a cellular level. Vitamin C is essential for stimulating collagen, and regular use helps wrinkles and tone.
• Plant Extracts – Used for a myriad of benefits, like protecting your hands from environmental damage and nourishing them with skin-loving nutrients.
• Hydrating factors – These may vary with each brand, but look for ingredients that hydrate and soften, like water, glycerin, and plant oils. Also, humectants like hyaluronic acid help skin pull in and retain its all-important moisture. Lastly, a variety of ceramides will lock it all in.

The goal of an anti aging hand cream can range from providing deep moisture for dry hands to going all in to improve signs of aging. Consider the following options and their beautifying benefits when choosing your next bottle of cream.

For Targeted Treatment – Let’s get into it. If you’re serious about improving the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots on your hands, get a anti aging hand cream formulated with proven ingredients. The silky smooth PCA Skin C&E Hand Renewal Cream has it all – vitamins C and E, plant extracts, and bakuchiol.

Wait, what was that? Bakuchiol is an emerging plant-derived version of retinol that is much gentler on the skin and offers comparative results. So if you’re particularly sensitive to retinoids, a cream formulated with bakuchiol is an excellent alternative.

If you’re thinking that all of these ingredients would be great for your face, you’re correct. Try SkinMedica’s Replenish Hydrating Cream if you’re in the market for a multi-purpose cream that delivers results. Save time and shelf space while applying this richly hydrating formula to your face, neck, chest, and hands. It has sodium hyaluronate to help your hands retain their moisture and green tea extract to protect against free radical damage that causes aging.

An Anti-Aging Steal – Speaking of multi-purpose, imagine getting all of the tone-improving, skin-glowing benefits of Vitamin C for your hands and body. IMAGE Vital C Hydrating Hand & Body Lotion is meant to be used all over, but it’s an absolute bargain if you only use it as an anti aging hand cream.

This luscious lotion has moisture on top of moisture with a nourishing combination of glycerin, shea butter, aloe vera juice, and rich plant oils. And with a bonus of gentle wrinkle fighters retinyl palmitate and squalane, you might feel like you’re committing a crime.

For Sensitive Hands – EltaMD So Silky Hand Crème begs to take care of your sensitive skin with its oil-free and fragrance-free formula. It also wants to protect your skin’s outer layers with a combination of multiple ceramides. And it’s simply mad about preventing further free radical and UV damage with Vitamin E and a unique extract of clary sage called sclareolide. With regular use, this anti aging hand cream will improve your skin’s dryness and overall tone.

Something for Travel – Are you a ‘hand cream in the handbag’ kind of person but don’t want to put your more luxurious creams at risk of getting left behind somewhere? Don’t sacrifice quality with L’Occitane Citrus Verbena Hand Cream Gel in its handy one-ounce size. This non-greasy formula has shea butter, which has all-important fatty acids to help soften and protect hands while you’re constantly washing them on the go. But be careful; its irresistible citrus scent might mean you’ll have to share.

Luxurious Moisture – Moisture (and sun protection) is the enemy of aging, and prevention is key. For a true self-care treat, try ELEMIS Frangipani Monoi Body Cream. This body cream is ideal for a nightly ritual of all-over moisturizing, then donning some cotton gloves for deep penetration of fatty seed oils and flower extracts. Dryness won’t stand a chance. And this richly nourishing cream gets extra credit for being fun to say.

What About Getting Faster Results?

With regular use, anti aging hand cream is the best and most cost-effective way to improve the appearance of aging hands. But dermatologists offer several hand-specific services if you’re looking for faster results. Between laser treatments, chemical peels, fat transfers, and other procedures, talk to your doctor about your options. And especially seek medical support if you have unusual growths or discolorations on your skin.  

Outside of hand creams and professional treatments, being proactive about protecting your skin should be complementary to your skincare routine. Use sunscreen, stay hydrated, eat a balanced diet, and wear gloves whenever possible during vigorous activities like yard work or gardening. If you’d like to stay up to date on the best ways to take care of your skin, head to our Beauty Resource Center, where we keep you in the know about all the latest and greatest beauty-related information.