This is your cheatsheet to get beautiful hands and nails this summer

Hands are often last in line when it comes to skincare allocation. Is it time you gave yours a bit of TLC?

What should we be doing for our hands?

As sun safety and skin care become increasingly important, hand care too has shot up the agenda. In fact, hands tend to show signs of ageing much faster, which is why it is imperative to pay keen attention to the hands as well.

So, what should we be doing for our hands?

The basics for hand care are to ensure they are protected and moisturised. 

“It’s just about getting the basics right,” says Gemma Jones, Bioderma’s medical representative. “Cleaning with a preferably fragrance-free product that doesn’t have any astringents in it like alcohol, which can cause dermatitis-like reactions, and then moisturising. Most people don’t moisturise their hands enough, which can lead to dryness, itchiness or irritation. What I would suggest is sticking to simple formulations, nothing too harsh. And then, if you want to take it to the next level, exfoliation and SPF.”

For stubborn pigmentation marks or age spots on the hands, Jones recommends a weekly chemical exfoliant. “Glycolic acid or lactic acid if you’re a bit more sensitive,” she says. “Do that as a weekly treatment before you apply your moisturiser and that should help to lighten up the pigment melanin.”

What about those of us who regularly get their nails done — should we be considering our hands more? In a word, yes.

“If you’re getting your nails done, the UV lights they use to dry are low risk,” Jones says. “But they do emit UVA light.

Gemma Jones, Bioderma

“They are lower-risk than tanning beds, but still a risk. If you want to be cautious, use fingerless gloves and apply some broad-spectrum SPF 20 minutes before putting your hands underneath the dryer, just to try and give you as much protection as possible,” she advises.

She recommends the brand’s Cicabio SPF50+ Crème (€12, MeaghersPharmacy.ie).

“Apart from that, try and stretch out your appointments to reduce the number of times you’re getting your nails done.”

Echoing this is Suzanne Fowler, founder of 14 Day Mani.

“Nail health is at the forefront of everyone’s mind at the moment, the same way hair care and skincare have been,” she says.

“So, avoiding overdoing your nails and giving them necessary breaks is key to keeping your nails happy and healthy. For those who want something gentler but still strong, we have our New Builder Gel collection (€16 each, 14DayManicure.com) which is perfect for those with weak, brittle nails. It’s done wonders for my own nails!

“Otherwise, eating a balanced diet helps, and hydrating your cuticles daily makes a big difference.”

She also seconds Jones’ advice about applying SPF before stepping into the salon.

“Apply SPF 50 before using your lamp. For extra protection, you can also wear UV-protective gloves while doing your nails.”

Brittle nails are something many deal with, generally caused by overexposure to harsh chemicals, dehydration, or even diet deficiencies. Aaron Daly, founder of Gloss Nails Dublin, suggests treating the cause from the inside out.

Aaron Daly, Creative Director Gloss Nails Dublin

“Cuticle oil is your best friend,” he says. “You should also be drinking more water.

“It sounds basic, but dehydration makes nails dry and brittle. Next, stay away from harsh acetone removers, which strip all the moisture out of your nails, and then add biotin and collagen to your diet; they can make a real difference.”

Finally, he suggests considering the location of your monthly top-up. “Quality matters,” he says. 

“If your nails keep getting weaker after each appointment, it could be down to the products being used. A lot of cheaper salons cut costs by using low-quality products packed with harmful chemicals like MMA (which is actually banned in some places) or high amounts of HEMA, which can cause severe allergic reactions.

“If a place is suspiciously cheap, there’s usually a reason. If your brittle nails are at breaking point, stop getting false nails done,” Jones laughs.

“It’s the answer no one wants to hear, but I would say take a break if you can. You can also use hydrating treatments like Bioderma’s Atoderm Creme Mains Et Ongles Hands & Nails (€6, hickeyspharmacies.ie). Stick it on and put a glove over your hand for a few hours or overnight to allow it to really soak in.”

For an extra bit of TLC, we are fans of Patchology’s Rosé Fingers Hand Mask (€10, millies.ie).