Our hands say a lot about our age. Look at the gorgeous women over 70 we all admire so much (Jane Fonda and Helen Mirren, Julies Andrews, Maggie Smith …) all well over 70 and with not so great hands any more! It happens to us all … we suddenly notice we have age spots and /or are showing signs of arthritis.

If you have used an air-blower to dry your hands lately you will have seen the way the skin on the backs moves. It undulates!

As we reach a certain age, our hands need some TLC and a lot more attention. We don’t want them to look overworked and ignored.

Peeling, cracking, and yes, sagging skin (remember the air-dryer!), chipped and brittle nails, infections, small cuts and scratches are common. Sure, you can wear gloves, but not in the summer. So to help you along, we have put together some simple tips and tricks you can practice at home.

Rubber Gloves protect your Hands

Whenever you’re doing any type of cleaning around the house, wear rubber gloves to keep harsh chemicals and dirt off your hands.

Don’t over-immerse in water

Make sure your hands are not immersed in water for long periods; nails puff up when soaked in water and then shrink when dry, which makes them fragile. This is another reason for wearing rubber gloves

A night-time moisture hit for your Hands

Every night, before you go to bed, massage your hands with Almond oil or coconut oil (you only need a few drops); this will help keep your hands soft and moisturised.

Or, apply Vaseline or a heavy moisturising cream and sleep wearing a pair of cotton gloves.

Old-fashioned but reliable …

The old-fashioned hand massage with half a lemon really does soften your hands, removes unpleasant stains and smells, and strengthens your nails. (And you can soften your elbows by rubbing them with half a lemon too!)

Make Your Own Hand Care Cream & Moisturiser

I. Mix cucumber juice with a few drops of glycerin. Very soft …

II. Place a few drops of olive oil, almond oil, lemon juice and water in a bottle. Shake well and apply a few drops of the solution to keep your hands well moisturised.

III. Give yourself a hand mask by combining equal amounts of tomato juice and lime juice with a few drops of glycerin; make a thick paste and apply it in a goopy mess.

IV. To bleach your hands naturally (yes, it works on age spots!), make a paste using ground almonds, cream (dairy) and a few drops of glycerin.

V. Feed your hands with a mixture of warm castor oil and almond oil (100 ml of each), combined with the juice of one lemon in a bowl. Soak and massage in the mixture for about 10 -15 minutes.

Give Your Hands a Weekly Manicure

Because of daily wear and tear, hands (and feet) are the first part of the body to show signs of aging; so give yourself a weekly manicure. You will need:

nail scissors
a nail file
an orange stick
a nail brush

Remove any old nail polish. Use acetone-free nail polish remover; acetone causes irritation and wrinkles.

Take a look at this Almond Nails article if you want a better idea of the steps to follow.

■ File your nails down (cut them only if necessary).

■ Soak your hands in lukewarm, soapy water for 2 to 3 minutes.

■ Rinse your them thoroughly with water and dry them with a clean towel.

■ Clean your nails with the orange stick and cotton (wrap a small amount of cotton wool around the end of the stick.)

■ Massage for about 5 minutes with a good moisturiser. Massage softens the hands, helps circulation and makes them look lovely and youthful.