Our hard-working hands deserve to be treated with care, love and attention.
While many of us have an army of products to apply onto our faces - from masks to gadgets, so rarely do we take the time out of our day to prime, pep and pamper the palms. Our drained digits should be lathered with the same skin-softening hydration as our complexion - and hand masks are the optimal way to maximise the experience with minimal effort. Say goodbye to haggard hands.
What are the benefits of hand masks?
According to Margaret Dabbs OBE, podiatrist, CEO and founder, “There are two main types of hand masks which work to improve the appearance and health of your skin. You have the option to use electronic masks such as LED hand masks, which work to reach the deep layers of the skin and utilise LED and infrared therapy. These work effectively to not only reduce pigmentation and diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, but they can also reduce inflammation and improve joint movement. They also can be used for a shorter amount of time, making it easier to include this treatment in your daily routine”.
She also spotlights another, more cost-effective alternative, “there are cream and serum-based hand masks to help plump your skin and increase hydration levels for a more youthful appearance. Serum hands masks offer deep and intense hydration, specifically masks which you can leave on overnight, to help repair and hydrate your skin. For the best results, you leave the mask on for eight hours during your sleep. They can improve your skin elasticity, and combat dryness and signs of ageing”.
“For ultimate results”, she reveals, “it is best to use a combination of both light therapy and cream-based products to turn back the clock on the skin of your hands”.
Do hand masks work?
“Yes, they absolutely do”, Dabbs stresses. “They work by utilising deeply penetrating ingredients which when left to work effectively, can drastically improve the condition of the skin on your hands by reaching the lower layers of your skin”.
How to use a hand mask?
Dabbs breaks it down: “Apply the serum to the backs of your hands in a circular motion with light pressure. For the best results, apply a small amount of the mask to your hands before you go to sleep. We also recommend investing in some treatment gloves which you can leave on overnight to help the mask fully absorb into the skin”.
What ingredients should you look out for?
“It is important to look out for ingredients which have a high concentration level of hydration which helps to plump and rejuvenate dehydrated skin”, she concludes.
Shop the best hand masks below
CurrentBody LED Hand Perfector
Those among us who treat ourselves to gel manicures might not think twice about sticking their hands under a UV lamp for a long-lasting polish, but it has been said that this can exacerbate signs of ageing. CurrentBody’s LED Hand Perfector is designed to do the opposite. It uses clinically proven red and near-infrared wavelengths to boost collagen and minimise the appearance of hyperpigmentation, fine lines and age spots.
It takes just 10 minutes.
Buy now £189.00, CurrentBody
MARGARET DABBS LONDON Pure Overnight Hand Mask
Headed up by Margaret Dabbs OBE, the podiatrist’s eponymous brand is an expert on all things feet and hands. The Pure Overnight Hand Mask differs from many of the other options on the list as it’s not a sheet mask but a multi-use treatment which means you can get ritualistic with your handcare.
Make it a regular occurrence and the combination of botanical extracts and antioxidants will revive the skin, combatting fine lines and wrinkles with the likes of buriti oil, turmeric, white water lily and calendula contained within the formula. The scent of rose and lemon that follows application makes each an experience you will relish.
Buy now £30.00, Sephora
Patchology Rosé Fingers - Renewing Hand Mask
The party season calls for party-ready digits - and Patchology has you covered with its Rosé Fingers. The tipple-themed hand masks are made up of the brand’s signature hydrogel that has been soaked in skin-loving ingredients to provide deep hydration. These include the anti-ageing resveratrol and moisturising shea butter and strawberry oil. But the best part? Well, that’s tough to choose between the luxe rose gold exterior or the sparkling wine scent.
Buy now £10.00, Cult Beauty
Nails.INC Kneady Hands And Feet Hand and Foot Masks Set
For a salon experience from the comfort of your own home, polish label Nails.INC has created these matching hand and foot masks with a sweet Christmassy theme. Taking your mani-pedi up a few notches, the masks inject two powerhouse ingredients known and loved for their nourishment - shea butter and vitamin E. To round it off, they are scented with salted caramel.
Buy now £10.00, Amazon
SEPHORA COLLECTION Hydration Infused Hand Care Mask 15 Minute Aloe Vera
Care for your hard-worn extremities with soothing aloe vera, the starring ingredient in this at-home mask from Sephora. The hand treatment is part of the retailer’s stellar own-brand collection that is particularly beloved for its multi-masking possibilities.
For dry skin, the mask brings the aforementioned calming component with fatty acid-rich wild mango extract and the entire formula calls on 95 per cent natural origin ingredient.
Buy now £5.99, Sephora
STARSKIN The Gold Mask Hand 3+1 Pack
Offering a VIP experience, STARSKIN coats your hands in gold, which is just the start of the luxury feel. The Gold Mask foil gloves have a two-layer design to maximise the benefits of the supercharged ingredients.
The interior is doused in nourishing shea butter and multitasking rosehip oil (whose benefits include boosting collagen and healing scars) with hydrating Bulgarian rose water, while the exterior has a unique warming effect that optimises the absorption of the former.
Buy now £38.00, Harvey Nichols
Fenty Skin Hydra’Reset Instant Recovery Glycerin Hand Mask
Rihanna is encouraging us all to take a moment to revitalise and soothe our hard-working hands with the Hydra’Reset that is part of her Fenty Skin collection.
The rich, nourishing formula is packed with 40 per cent glycerin to provide long-lasting moisture, alongside plant extracts and fruit oils. Last but certainly not least, it is scented with the tropical aroma that has become a signature of the brand and is one you’ll find in other fan favourites like the Butta Drop and Instant Reset.
Buy now £19.00, Harvey Nichols
BEAUTYPRO Hand Therapy Gloves with Removable Fingertips
A mask to suit those always on the go, the BEAUTYPRO Hand Therapy Gloves are made for multitaskers. This is on account of the ability to remove the fingertips so you can get on with other tasks while you’re masking.
Whether you choose to leave them as is or not, your hands will get the benefits of natural plant ingredients like enriching star anise, smoothing olive extract and softening apple extract. They are designed to be worn for 20 minutes.
Buy now £4.50, lookfantastic
