My grand-kids always comment on how soft my hands are. I’m over 50. They’re all under 14, so that’s quite a compliment. Why are my hands so soft? There are secrets to having soft hands but they’re not fabulous or guarded. In fact, they’re very simple. You may not have been lucky enough to be born in a moist climate, but you can use the other tips below for soft hands at any age.
I was born and raised in a moisture filled climate. The climate I grew up in was very moist. Even though I moved to a dryer climate at the age of 18, that moist climate softened my hands naturally. If you want the benefits of a moist climate for your hands, try creating your own steam room and using it on a regular basis. You should also stay hydrated from the inside out by drinking plenty of pure water.
I use lotion after washing my hands. When you wash your hands as frequently as I do, it’s important to replace the oils washing strips from them. I keep a bottle of lotion handy in the bathroom and kitchen. Every time I wash my hands, I reach for it. Using a moisturizing hand lotion every time I wash my hands really helps my hands stay soft.
I moisturize in the shower too. I use a good conditioner in my hair. That softens my hands as I apply it. When my shower is done, I moisturize from head to toe. Sound like too much work? Actually it takes just about a minute. Why such soft hands? As I moisturize the rest of me, my hands get a double dose of moisture.
I use petroleum jelly before gardening or other yard work. When I know I’ll be doing heavy duty work, I coat my hands and other exposed areas with petroleum jelly. It seals in the moisture and seals out the elements. For certain jobs, I wear gloves over my moisturized hands. The gloves not only protect my hands, they heat up the petroleum jelly for deeper penetration.
I avoid chemicals. I worked in a dry cleaners for nearly twenty years. I know from personal experience what chemicals can do to your skin. I was always sensible enough to wear the gloves provided by my company. I couldn’t help but notice the hands of my fellow workers who failed to do so. Now I avoid contact with chemicals. If I absolutely must use them, I coat my hands with petroleum jelly and don gloves. The secrets to soft hands are simple. Just take care of them, stay hydrated and moisturize.
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