How to Make Your Hands Look Younger: My Simple Hand-Care Routine

We spend so much time taking care of the skin on our face.

We buy skincare products, try different treatments, use masks and serums, and pay attention to every new line that appears. But there is another part of our body that can show our age too—our hands.

Think about everything our hands go through every day. We wash them over and over. They are exposed to the sun, cold weather, cleaning products, water, and everyday work. And yet, many of us don't think about caring for the skin on our hands the same way we care for our face.

I used to talk about this on my YouTube channel, where I shared one of my favorite little hand-care habits: dry brushing my hands and moisturizing them afterward.

It takes only a few minutes, and it's something you can easily do at home.

But there are also a few other things I've learned about caring for our hands as we get older—especially one step I would emphasize much more today.

Why Do Our Hands Start Looking Older?

There isn't just one thing that makes hands look older.

As we age, our skin naturally changes. Hands can become drier and rougher, and we may begin noticing wrinkles, age spots, thinner-looking skin, or more visible veins.

Our hands also get a lot of sun exposure. We may remember sunscreen on our face, neck, and shoulders but completely forget the backs of our hands.

The American Academy of Dermatology notes that sun exposure contributes to several visible signs of aging on the hands, including age spots and wrinkling. Skin also holds less water as we age, which can make our hands feel rougher and drier.

So while we can't stop our hands from aging—and I don't think we need to—we can take better care of the skin we have.

My Simple Hand-Care Routine

My routine doesn't require ten different products or an expensive treatment.

The basic idea is very simple:

gently exfoliate, moisturize, and protect.

Step 1: I Like to Gently Dry Brush My Hands

Dry brushing is something I've enjoyed doing for years.

You need a dry brush with natural or soft bristles. Mine has a removable long handle, which is convenient if I want to continue brushing up my arms or use it on other areas of my body, but you don't need a long handle just for your hands.

I gently move the brush over the skin on my hands. Sometimes I brush upward, sometimes I make small circular movements. I brush the backs of my hands as well as the other areas I want to exfoliate, and I can continue up my arms if I feel like it.

The important word here is gently.

We're taking care of our skin, not scrubbing it as hard as possible.

Dry brushing provides physical exfoliation, which can remove some dead skin cells from the surface and leave the skin feeling smoother. I personally enjoy how my hands feel afterward.

What I don't want to tell you is that dry brushing is some miracle treatment that will reverse aging. It isn't.

It's simply one small part of my personal hand-care routine that I enjoy.

Want to See Exactly How I Do It?

Sometimes it's much easier to watch something than to read instructions.

In my original YouTube video, I demonstrate exactly how I dry brush my hands and moisturize them afterward.

If you're trying this for the first time, watch the demonstration before you begin so you can see how simple the technique is.

And remember: if brushing hurts, scratches, or irritates your skin, stop. I would also skip dry brushing on irritated, cracked, injured, inflamed, or otherwise sensitive skin.

Step 2: Moisturize Your Hands

After dry brushing, I always like to put moisture back into my skin.

In my original video, I used unrefined coconut oil. I would massage a small amount over my hands just as I would use a regular lotion.

You certainly don't have to use coconut oil.

A good hand cream, moisturizer, or ointment can be a better choice for many people, particularly if your hands are very dry. The important part is finding something that agrees with your skin and that you'll actually use consistently.

And consistency matters much more to me than having a shelf full of expensive products.

One particularly useful habit is moisturizing after you wash your hands. Dermatologists recommend applying moisturizer while the skin is still slightly damp because it helps trap water in the skin.

I keep coming back to this idea with skincare: sometimes the simplest habits are the ones worth remembering.

Step 3: Protect Your Hands From the Sun

If I were making my original younger-looking-hands video today, this is the part I would emphasize much more:

Don't forget sunscreen on your hands.

For years, many of us were taught to think about sunscreen mainly when going to the beach. Now I think much more about sun protection as part of everyday skincare.

And our hands are exposed more often than we realize.

Think about driving, walking, gardening, playing outside with the kids, or simply running errands. Your face may have SPF from your morning skincare routine while your hands have nothing on them.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on your hands before going outdoors.

Sun protection isn't going to make your hands suddenly look 20 years younger. That's not the point.

It's about protecting your skin from additional UV damage—and I think our hands deserve the same attention we already give our face.

Don't Forget What Your Hands Go Through Every Day

Sometimes caring for our hands isn't about adding another beauty treatment. It's about protecting them from the things that constantly dry and irritate them.

We wash our hands. We wash dishes. We clean the house. We garden. We go outside in cold weather. Our hands are constantly working.

Frequent handwashing can dry the skin, especially without moisturizing afterward. Hot water and detergents can also be hard on already-dry skin.

A few simple habits can make hand care easier:

• Use lukewarm rather than very hot water when washing your hands.
• Apply hand cream or moisturizer after washing, especially when your hands feel dry.
• Wear gloves when cleaning, washing dishes, or gardening.
• Protect your hands in cold, dry weather.
• Apply sunscreen to the backs of your hands when they'll be exposed to the sun.

None of these things are glamorous. But good skincare doesn't always have to be glamorous.

What About Wrinkles, Age Spots and Visible Veins?

This is also where I think it's important to have realistic expectations.

Dry brushing and moisturizer can help the surface of your skin feel smoother and more cared for, but they cannot fix every visible sign of aging.

If your main concern is significant age spots, loss of fullness, prominent veins, loose skin, or deeper wrinkles, those are different issues.

Dermatologists have professional options for some of these concerns, including certain topical products, chemical peels, lasers, fillers, and other procedures. What makes sense depends on the specific concern and your skin.

And if you notice a new or changing spot, or a rough or scaly patch that doesn't go away, don't simply assume that it's an age spot. Have it checked by a healthcare professional or dermatologist.

Do You Need Expensive Products to Have Younger-Looking Hands?

I don't think you need to make hand care complicated.

There will always be another product promising younger-looking skin. Some products are wonderful. Some treatments can produce real results. But before buying everything, I like to come back to the basics.

For my hands, that means:

Gentle care. Moisture. Sun protection. Consistency.

My dry brush is inexpensive. Moisturizing takes seconds. Sunscreen may already be sitting with the rest of your skincare products.

It's not about trying to make our hands look like they did when we were 20.

For me, taking care of myself as I get older means helping my skin look healthy, cared for, and its best at the age I am now.

My Simple Routine for Younger-Looking Hands

If you want to start paying a little more attention to your hands, you don't have to change everything at once.

Start simply.

I like to gently dry brush my hands when I want some physical exfoliation, then apply moisturizer afterward. During the day, I try to remember that the backs of my hands need sun protection too.

I also moisturize when my hands are dry and try to protect them when I'm doing things that are particularly hard on the skin.

That's it.

A few small habits, repeated consistently.

And here's the little secret I shared in my original video: when you find something that helps you take better care of yourself, tell your friends too. Let them all be beautiful.

Take the Next Step With Your Skincare

Your hands are only one part of taking care of your skin as you get older.

If you'd like a simple place to start with your overall skincare routine, I created my Essential Skincare Guide to walk you through the basics without making skincare feel overwhelming.

And if you'd like to see some of the skincare products and tools I personally like, you can also visit my Beauty Favorites.

This article shares my personal skincare routine and general educational information. It is not medical advice. If you have a skin condition, persistent irritation, unusual spots or other concerns about your hands, talk with a qualified healthcare professional or board-certified dermatologist.