Soft Skin...Pampering Your Hands

Your hands are as unique as your personality and can tell a lot about you. Is that long line running down your palm telling you that you will live a long life? Or is it caused by dry, irritated skin?

Hands need to be pampered and protected. They're used for countless tasks throughout the day, and we tend to take them for granted. So when it comes to keeping them soft and smooth, using just any old soap or hand cream won't do.

It's important to use a mild soap that does not destroy the skin's acid mantle, a thin layer of natural oil and perspiration that protects the outer layer of the skin and has a pH balance of approximately 5.0. If your skin is dry, it will be more acidic. Constant washing will not allow the acid mantle to fully regenerate and shield the skin efficiently, which can lead to premature aging, chafing and cracking. Avoiding soaps with artificial fragrances or colours will discourage further inflammation and dryness..

April showers bring May flowers and the need for extra sun protection, so choose a moisturizer that incorporates a sunscreen component. With a little extra care, you won't need a palm reader to tell you that your hands are beautiful.

Easy At-Home Moisturizer

1/3 cup (80 ml) olive oil
1 Tbsp (15 ml) beeswax
1 capsule vitamin E
(antioxidant to inhibit oil rancidity)
10 drops essential oil of your choice

Combine the olive oil and beeswax in a saucepan. Once the beeswax is melted, remove the mixture from the heat and stir in 10 drops of an essential oil and the contents of the vitamin E capsule. Store in a container and refrigerate. For a firmer ointment, use one-quarter cup (60 ml) of oil to one tablespoon (15 ml) of beeswax.

PDF Table of Soap Ingredients