hand-some hands

There's so much emphasis and buzz about antiaging products, special youth enhancing diets, pills, and potions. The fountain of youth seems to be a quest on everyone's mind. If you can pluck it, poke it, prod it, lift it, smooth it, wax it, laser it, remove it, buff it, or tuck it, I'm sure there's a doctor willing to do it and an endless line of people to pay thousands to have it done.

One area we don't always pay attention to, that can have huge results with little investment, it our hands. Think about how used, abused, and exposed our hands are. Constantly in motion, always grabbing, lifting, squeezing; frequent washing and exposure to soaps, antibacterial products, and endless amounts of sun and elemental exposure. Because of this, our hands age almost the fastest of all other body parts.

But you can definitely stop the clock and turn back the hands of time. Just follow these easy steps:

-- exfoliate. remember, salt purifies. sugar softens. I use an all natural sugar and salt blend twice a week. start by wetting the hands, then massage vigorously about a tablespoon amount of the scrub onto the hands - focusing on the tops, palms, between fingers, and especially around the cuticles and knuckles. after about three or four minutes, rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.

-- moisturize. protecting your skin is important. shea butter is full of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, and also has water resistant properties - so you won't need to reapply so frequently. silver tipped white tea also helps protect against dehydration, deterioration, and oxidation. mimosa, soy bean, licorice, and asiatica all firm. mica helps reflect light and give more radiance. sea haricots and oceanic flora can rehydrate damaged cells on a cellular level giving more plump, more radiant skin as well.

-- protect. it's important to use a sunscreen or sunblock on your hands. think about all the additional exposure your hands get - especially while driving. titanium dioxide and zinc oxide naturally reflect the sun's harmful rays off your skin and prevent ultraviolet aging and burning. Parsol 1789 blocks a full spectrum of ultraviolet aging rays.

No one wants old looking hands. Have you ever seen an older woman or man with a very youthful (and medically induced) looking face, and the oldest, wrinkled looking hands? This doesn't have to be you. With a little proactivity, you can put your best hand (and foot) forward.

PS - I'm not saying you should abuse the "tester section" at better skincare stores. However, whenever I pass by, I can't help but squeeze a little bit of better brands' eye creams or new moisturizers onto my hands for an added pick-me-up. Typically eye creams are gentler, more moisturizing, and lighter weight than other face creams. Gives new meaning to "hand me a free sample, please!"