A persons hands speak volumes about her life. This is why so many women go to great lengths to keep their hands silky and smooth. Our hands are often one of the first parts of our bodies to show our age, but there are things that can be done to keep hands supple, healthy, and soft. Use these simple tips to keep your hands beautiful throughout your life.

Wash and Moisturize

Perhaps the most important thing you can do to keep your hands looking lovely is to keep them clean. Hand washing not only protects your hands it prevents the spread of illness and disease. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, and be sure to focus on the area around your nails where germs and dirt accumulate.

Unfortunately, frequent hand washing can dry out your skin, so be sure to moisturize after each wash. This is especially important if you have hard water in your home or if you live in a dry climate.

Keep Nails Trimmed

Neatly trimmed nails help your hands look beautiful. There is no specific nail length that is perfect for everyone, but it is best to avoid growing your nails to a length that promotes breakage. The longer your nails the more likely they are to crack or break. If your nails are naturally brittle or soft at any length, consider a nail treatment to strengthen them.

Try an Occasional Hand Treatment

Hand treatments help restore moisture lost through daily living and help your hands look younger and smoother. There are many hand treatment products on the market, but all you really need is a good moisturizer. Once a week at bedtime, liberally apply coconut oil to your hands and cuticles and sleep in a pair of gloves or mittens. You will wake up with soft, smooth hands.

Break Bad Habits

Nail biting and cuticle picking are two of the quickest ways to ruin the beauty of your hands. Unfortunately, these are difficult habits to break. There are products that can be applied to nails to make them taste bad so you are less likely to bite them. You might also consider investing in regular manicures as a way to discourage yourself from picking or chewing on your fingers.

Extreme Weather Protection

Just like the skin on your face and rest of your body, your hands need protection from the elements. Apply lotion to your hands with SPF before spending time outdoors. During colder months, wear gloves or mittens when you will be outside. These measures help you avoid the skin damage created by your environment.

Treat Dark Spots

Many people develop dark spots on their hands, especially as they get older. The best treatment for lightening skin is lemon juice. When performing your at-home manicures or at night before heading to bed, rub the juice from half a lemon on any dark spots.

Though much of the advice for beautiful hands is targeted at women, men want hands that are healthy and youthful, too. All of these tips are just as effective for keeping mens hands in tip-top shape as they are for helping women.