Helping Hands

Every woman knows that her hands show the true signs of her age, no matter how much facial cosmetic surgery she may have invested her money in! So it is vitally important to keep your hands feeling soft, smooth and looking good.

Our hands have a tendency to become dry and chapped during the long winter months, especially when it’s bitterly cold first thing in the morning and late at night. That’s why at this time of year we should spend some extra time and effort using aromatherapy to protect and rejuvenate these most age-revealing parts of our body.

Conventional wisdom says that once the damage has been done to these precious, vital assets, there can be no turning back the clock on them. This may shock you, but is it really true?

Get the upper hand

Some cosmetic creams may offer you a little help, but in many instances they don’t contain anything like enough of the necessary active ingredients required to really produce any results that are noticeable. Different ingredients are required to offer protection from the harsh environment to those needed for repairing existing damage, and most high-street brands fail completely to address this important issue. And of course those few creams that do meet these demands can be so very expensive.

The skin on the back of your hands is some of the thickest on the body, which is just as well when you think what they have to go through in daily life. Harsh detergents and soaps can have a devastating effect on the hands if they are used regularly, plus the drying effects of the harsh winter elements – this is why natural soaps are so much better for you. The skin on your hands really does need intensive, deep penetrating hydration.

Fortunately for us girls, aromatherapy is ideally suited for total hand care since carrier oils are both highly moisturising and emollient, and certain essential oils can actually help to encourage fresh new healthy skin growth too. You’ll find the most effective essential oils for revitalizing your weather-beaten hands listed in the sidebar below.

And best of all, when you make these treatments yourself at home they cost much less than leading brand-names, and are far, far more effective too. So let’s get to it!

Hands of time

There are some very simple aromatherapy treatments that can be used to turn back the hands of time; almond, apricot, coconut, macadamia, moringa and peach oils are all quickly absorbed into the skin and perform wonders softening the hands. Calendula oil works absolute miracles on sensitive, dry and chapped hands that have been subjected to the biting winter winds.

As a special night-time treat try massaging the hands with borage, evening primrose, coconut, jojoba or macadamia oils. Only a small amount of carrier oil is needed, and gentle circular massage movements will ensure that all of the oil is absorbed into the skin. They are all highly effective oils, but my preference is macadamia oil since it is light, deep penetrating and not at all greasy.

Whilst you are giving your hands an aromatherapy treatment, why not give them a good massage too. Use small circular movements with your fingertips over the back of your hands and right up to your finger joints, front and back. This will stimulate the circulation in your hands bringing a fresh, rich supply of oxygenated blood.

Then massage the back of your hands with your thumbs, and work your way right up to your wrists. Your hands will feel energised and refreshed with the increased blood flow, whilst the oils will work to soften your skin and encourage radiance and vitality. Remember to massage over your nails and cuticles daily to help prevent splits and breaks.

Intensive care

For a really intensive treatment regime, choose one of the formulas from the panel to the right and you should be well on the way to seeing a more youthful appearance in your hands by the time summer arrives.

For best results be sure to use your hand treatment at least once a day – twice if you can manage the time. Moisturising your hands before retiring to bed should ideally become a part of your hand-care routine for life. Remember to gently massage the hands until all of the oil or cream has been absorbed.

Of course don’t forget the preventative approach to hand care too, and be sure to use rubber gloves when washing up. Never put your hands into very hot water unless you are wearing gloves.

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