Hand care

1. Structure of the skin layers

To find out the causes of dry skin, we first need to explain the structure of your skin. In the overview below, we explain how the skin layers of your hands are constructed and what their function is.

1.1 Epidermis

The epidermis is the top layer that is visible on the outside. This part of the skin is composed of several layers:

➜ Basal layer:

The basal layer is constantly producing new cells. The production of these cells goes upwards. As they get closer to the stratum corneum they start to dry out and become flatter, then they die.

➜ Spiny layer:

In this layer, the skin cells begin to dry out and die. This is called the keratinization process.

➜ Grain layer:

The cells in this layer are already dead. The granular layer fills the cells with keratin (protein that you also find in your nails and hair).

➜ Clear layer:

The clear layer consists of several layers of dead skin cells that are held closely together by an intercellular substance.

➜ Stratum corneum:

The stratum corneum is the top layer of the epidermis. This layer provides strength and protection. The layer consists of dead cells without a cell nucleus. Due to the loss of water, these cells dry out. After a while, these cells become detached from the skin surface and are replaced by new cells.

1.2 Dermis

The dermis is the second layer of your skin. The dermis consists of blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, sebaceous glands and nerves. This skin layer regulates the nutrition of the epidermis and ensures elasticity and firmness. The blood vessels of the dermis supply oxygen to the skin and regulate body temperature. In addition, this layer contains many nerves that transmit stimuli to your brain. The sebaceous glands keep the skin and hair oily, which protects your skin from drying out. The sebaceous glands are not present in the palm of the hand and sole of the foot.

1.3 Subcutaneous tissue (hypodermis)

The subcutaneous connective tissue is located under the dermis and consists mainly of connective tissue, fat cells, nerve fibres and blood vessels. The hypodermis has mainly an insulating and protective function.

2. Why is hand care necessary?

Most of our daily tasks are performed with our hands, so they are constantly exposed to harmful factors. Think of temperature changes, wind, sun, contact with products, ... This threatens the skin of your hands and accelerates the aging process.

The aging process starts around the age of 25. Then the first signs of skin aging start to become visible. Your skin becomes drier, thinner, more sensitive and loses its elasticity. The production of collagen and hyaluronic acid starts to decrease. This decrease ensures that the aging process is accelerated.

2.1 Collagen

Collagen (important protein in the body) provides the firmness and elasticity of the skin. After the age of 25, the production of collagen decreases. This causes your skin to age, become slacker, get wrinkles and external effects have a greater influence on your skin.

2.2 Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid (body's own substance) ensures that your skin stays hydrated. Its greatest strength is to retain large amounts of moisture. It also plays an important role in the process of wound care. Hyaluronic acid is a building block to keep our body flexible and hydrated.

Unlike the skin on your face and other parts of your body, the palm of your hand does not have sebaceous glands. The absence of sebaceous glands means that the hands have no protection against dehydration. It is therefore very important to properly apply hand cream to your hands to keep them in good condition. By applying cream, you will slow down the aging process and prevent dehydration.

3. Is washing your hands harmful to the skin on your hands?

Washing your hands is important to remove dirt and bacteria, but it does not always have a positive effect on the skin of your hands. If you wash your hands too much, it can cause skin problems such as inflammation, which can even cause chronic eczema after a long time. Your skin loses a lot of moisture because soap or disinfectants damage the skin barrier. The loss of moisture eventually causes your hands to dry out.

Evaporation of moisture by washing your hands is one of the most important factors that influence the condition of your skin. To protect your hands from drying out, choose a soap with natural oils and vitamins or delicate soaps for children, so that your natural skin barrier is not damaged.

4. Why do you get dry hands?

Dry hands are caused by a lack of moisture. The evaporation of moisture is regulated by the amount of sebum and fat in your skin. The fat in your skin provides a protective layer. And sebum makes your skin feel greasy. When this protective layer is damaged, too much moisture can evaporate. The following factors damage your protective layer and cause dry hands:

• Wash hands
• Using the wrong care products
• Weather and temperature change
• Skin diseases
• Stress
• Household products
• Smoking

5. How can you protect your hands from drying out?
– 7 different tips

In this blog we have already explained to you that it is very important to protect your hands from drying out. We have summarized for you several tips that can help you to give your hands the optimal care.

• Apply hand cream to your hands regularly, especially after every wash.
• Wash your hands with lukewarm water and neutral soap containing natural oils and vitamins.
• Pat your hands dry with paper or a towel and avoid hand dryers.
• Use nitrile gloves for household tasks, gardening, irritating products, etc.
• Remember to apply sunscreen to your hands in the summer. The skin's aging process can also be accelerated by UV rays.
• Scrub your hands regularly and don't forget to apply hand cream after scrubbing.
• Wear gloves during the winter months.

6. Influence of nutrition on the skin of your hands

It is important that your skin is not only cared for from the outside but also from the inside. The condition of hands and nails can be negatively affected by strict diets and by vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Ensure a healthy and balanced diet and do not forget to drink water regularly. If your skin is not properly hydrated from the inside, even a treatment in the most luxurious SPA may not give the expected result.

7. Step-by-step plan to keep your hands in healthy condition

7.1 Hand peeling

To make the skin of your hands even and smooth, you can perform a hand scrub once a week. In addition to removing the old epidermis, the scrub will also improve the blood circulation in your hands. Our SPA hand scrubs based on shea butter will not only remove the old epidermis, but also deeply nourish and hydrate your hands. The vitamins A, D, E and F contained in this scrub will help your skin to stay in good condition. The macadamia oil will ensure a strengthening and revitalization of the epidermis.

7.2 Hand cream

Remember to apply hand cream to your hands several times a day. It is recommended to do this after every wash. Do not forget the nails and cuticles when applying cream to your hands. Remember to give your hands the necessary care all year round.

7.3 Cuticle oil

Caring for your cuticles is just as important as hand and nail care. Your cuticles have a protective function. They prevent bacteria or harmful substances from getting under the skin. If the cuticles are damaged, inflammation can occur. It is therefore important that you maintain your cuticles well with the help of cuticle oil.