jackie 0. monroe: healthyskin

Aging Gracefully - Hand Cream with SPF

One thing people often overlook is hand skincare. Yes we get manicures sometimes weekly, buy nail hardeners and cuticle moisturizers... but what about the skin on our hands?

SPF is "all the rage" right now as people are now becoming aware that it does not do anything good to your skin except absorb your daily dose of Vitamin D. To prevent our skin from being damaged from the sun's rays you need SPF. It has probably been drilled in your brain lately but it's true. To prevent those pesky age spots, wrinkles, and dryness that we get as we age, slather on some good old sunscreen.

I've been on the search for an SPF hand cream for a while now and I have two that I would like to introduce you all to. They both have a great SPF number and help brighten up the skin on your hands over time.

Garnier Skin Renew Dark Spot Hand Treatment SPF 30 is the drugstore product I found. Since I just bought it, I'm not totally sure if it improves spots (plus I don't really have any, just freckles) but I love the texture (very lightweight) and the scent (a basic sunscreen scent) is not overpowering at all. The box says "Immediately hands are smoother, more even toned, and moisturized for 24 hours. In 4 weeks significant decrease in the size and intensity of discoloration and dark spots, and hands look healthier and younger." They recommend applying this cream twice daily, in the morning and afternoon. The box also states it can be used on your chest, bonus! It retails for around $8 and you can find it in your local drugstore. I found mine at Harmon's Discount. You can also check it out here.

Supergoop is a higher end brand that has been gaining popularity as the SPF rage has spread. Their Forever Young Hand Cream with Sea Buckthorn and SPF 40 is a great addition to your medicine cabinet or your car cup holder! The bottle states it has an "innovative blend of antioxidants and super broad spectrum protection". "Formulated with omega-7 fatty acid rich sea buckthorn fruit and skin nourishing meadowfoam seed and argan oils, this moisturizing age-defier lightens dark spots and improves skin's elasticity and texture while safegaurding skin from future photodamage." It is a generous bottle of 10oz. which I really like. The scent is kind of off putting at first but eventually fades away. I love the fact that the ingredients are very beneficial, especially the argan oil. It retails for $29.50 which seams expensive but in the end you will probably be paying around the same for the Garnier. Supergoop can be bought here.

xoxo