How To Take Care Of Your Hands As You Age, According To Experts

Taking care of your skin as you age can be about vanity—but it also can be about wanting to do what's good for your body. It can also come down to the mere fact that as we age, our skin goes through changes that need special attention.

It's very common for people to experience increased sensitivities and dryness as the years go on, thanks to the fact that our skin loses structural proteins and lipids and sees a decrease in barrier function. 

Barrier function naturally decreases with time, because we see a decrease in many parts of the structural components of the skin.

For example, we lose lipids and humectants that make up the moisture barrier, such as ceramides, squalene, and hyaluronic acid—all of which experience production decreases with age. We also see a depletion in the antioxidants our skin creates naturally, like coenzyme Q10.

Additionally, if you are going through menopause, you may see more dramatic changes. "As our hormones diminish in menopause, the functions they perform to maintain the health and vitality of the skin diminish as well, characterized by a decrease in sweat, sebum, and the immune functions resulting in significant alterations in the skin surface including pH, lipid composition, and sebum secretion," board-certified dermatologist Keira Barr, M.D., previously told us about menopause and skin. "These changes also provide potential alterations in the skin that may affect the skin microbiome." 

Now add in the fact that hands get more physical and environmental exposure than other parts of your body, and they can become quite the delicate spot. It's no wonder experts and dermatologists are so insistent you protect them with a barrier-supporting cream. 

But, like all skin care, not all formulas are created equal. In order to help your skin as it ages, you should be mindful of the ingredients you are using—and look for ones that not only feed your skin lipids but address the other areas of barrier function as well. 

So, of course, you'll want to look for a cream with dense, rich oils and butters to keep your skin hydrated and conditioned. Shea butter and moringa seed oil are both sophisticated options that contain fatty acids and more to help bolster the barrier.

But then look for additional ingredients like targeted antioxidants to help improve your skin's free-radical-fighting abilities, lighten age spots, and reduce signs of premature aging. Vitamins C, E, niacinamide, and coenzyme Q10 are all potent and popular options that have significant research backing up their skin-healthy benefits.

Finally, you'll want to support your flora as you age since the changes in the biome can make your skin more sensitive: Pre- and postbiotic ingredients have been shown to help calm the skin, nurture the natural flora, and improve your skin's defense system.