You Should Be Putting SPF on Your Hands—Here’s Why
We know by now just how important SPF is for our face, neck and décolleté, but there's actually another area of our body that shows age faster than all three: our hands. Yep, no matter how diligent we are with daily sunscreen application and anti-aging skin-care routine, if we're forgetting our hands it's kind of like we're not doing anything at all. Our digits are almost always exposed to harmful UV rays, especially when driving in the car (that darn steering wheel), which can lead to wrinkles, sun spots and even skin cancer.
The pros suggest applying sunscreen to all exposed areas of skin no matter the weather or time of year. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Robert Anolik told Into the Gloss, “Apply sunscreen every morning to the face, neck, hands and—for women with exposed décolleté—the upper chest,” he said, “These areas undergo substantial UV damage to the DNA, elevating the risk for skin cancer. It's easy to spot the spots on hands, and they are very telling of someone's real age.”
Noted, Dr. Anolik. We're officially adding these SPF hand creams into our daily routine from here on out.
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Supergoop! Forever Young Hand Cream With Sea Buckthorn SPF 40
So much more than a hand lotion, this SPF is formulated with active botanicals, antioxidants and sunscreen to correct and prevent the signs of aging (think spots, wrinkles and decreased elasticity).
jane iredale HandDrink Hand Cream SPF 15
Jane Iredale makes some of our favorite natural beauty products, and this hand cream is no exception. Made with super nourishing ingredients like lemongrass oil and white and green tea extracts, it hydrates hands and offers broad spectrum (i.e., reef-safe) sun protection
deborah lippmann Rich Girl Hand Cream SPF 25
If your hands are seriously dry, this shea butter and avocado oil-infused lotion maximizes moisture absorption for softer, more hydrated (and more protected) skin.
UNSUN Emollient Rich Hand Cream SPF 15
Have sensitive skin? This hand lotions won't irritate, thanks to its nourishing base of aloe vera, shea butter and coconut oil. The formula is packed with two highly effective mineral sunscreens (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) to shield against damaging rays without a chemical in sight.
Eucerin Daily Hydration Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Hand Cream
Our biggest pet peeve about hand lotions: they can be extremely greasy. Not this one. It's dermatologist recommended for its gentle, fragrance- and paraben-free formula that feels super lightweight, and never oily, so you can apply it whenever you please (which is every two hours for optimal sun protection, BTW).
AHAVA Time To Smooth Age Perfecting Hand Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 15
If your hands are already showing signs of sun damage (we're looking at you hyperpigmentation), this lotion will help to brighten and repair skin with every use. Ahava's innovative VF Brightening Accelerator Complex and 3D Anti-Aging Complex help to correct dark spots while also minimizing pesky lines and wrinkles along with fighting future UV damage.
Shiseido 'Benefiance WrinkleResist24' Protective Hand Revitalizer SPF 15
Who says hand lotion can't be the most luxurious part of your day? This wrinkle- and sun damage-fighting formula is like a little dose of self-care. The hydration-packed formula sinks deep into skin to keep it moisturized for a whole 24 hours. Although, it smells so good that you'll want to apply it every few hours. (And you should, because SPF!)
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