Restore dry, cracked skin and prevent worsening calluses.
Face masks are at the height of popularity, hair masks had a moment, and now there’s a case for working hand masks into your routine. “The hands are an important area to treat as they get equal sun exposure to the face and neck, and may show early signs of aging,” says Leah Gilmore, licensed esthetician and Equinox’s manager of spa operations in New York City.
And, if you lift weights regularly, you’re familiar with the rough skin and calluses that develop on the palms. To prevent them from cracking and further drying out, Gilmore recommends masking once a week. Try it in the locker room as you’re cooling down post-workout: Apply the mask pre-shower (for as few as five minutes), then rinse it off, and massage in oil after drying.
Here, 3 products to consider:
Kypris Glow Philtre Treatment Mask
This pick features pomegranate pith enzymes, which gently exfoliate skin and encourage the replacement of dead cells. Silver ear mushroom is said to provide intense hydration. “Start at the knuckles, where skin tends to be the most dry, and apply to the entire back of the hand toward the wrist," says Gilmore.
Dr. Jart+ Dermask Hand Hydrating Mask
These foil mitts use warming technology and a rich reparative cream to strengthen nails, soften cuticles, and prevent hangnails. The blend also contains proteins and oils which are purported to nourish and rehydrate all over.
OSEA White Algae Mask
Though this mask was created for the face, Gilmore highly recommends it for the hands as well. Algae, white tea, and resveratrol are said to reduce redness—a common issue for hands after the winter months. Hyaluronic acid and peptides provide smoothness and can decrease lines and wrinkles.