Nobody wants to deal with wrinkles at an early age – or any age really.
Wrinkles form as a result of your skin losing its elasticity, which is often associated with the aging process.
While it is common to have wrinkles on the face and neck, you may develop wrinkles on your hands, too. Apart from the natural aging process, wrinkles on the hands can be due to excessive sun exposure, excessive tanning, environmental pollution, smoking, dehydration, poor diet, hormonal changes in the body, certain medications and genetic factors.
Moreover, most people do not take care of their hands to the degree they make an effort to keep their face wrinkle-free.
Getting wrinkles on the hands is not an uncommon problem. But if you want to get rid of wrinkles permanently from your hands, cleansing, exfoliating and moisturizing have to be part of a regular skin care routine.
You can use some simple and effective home remedies that can make your hands smooth and wrinkle-free.
Here are the top 10 home remedies for wrinkled hands.
1. Olive Oil
Olive oil has many culinary uses, but this healthy fat can also help keep your hands smooth and wrinkle-free.
This oil nourishes your skin and the vitamin E content along with essential fats will help stimulate collagen production to help reduce wrinkles.
Also, it can tighten the skin to prevent premature signs of aging.
A 2001 study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition illustrates that skin wrinkling in a sun-exposed site in older people of various ethnic backgrounds may be influenced by the types of foods consumed. Olive oil is one food found to be very effective in reducing the development of wrinkles.
- For daily use: Apply olive oil on your hands. Massage with it for 5 to 10 minutes before putting on cotton gloves to keep the oil on your hands. Do this daily before going to bed. Rinse it off with warm water the next morning.
- For weekly use: Mix 1 tablespoon each of sugar and olive oil to make a paste. Apply this paste on your hands and massage in circular motions for a few minutes. Rinse it off with lukewarm water after 10 minutes. Dry your hands and massage them with olive oil. Do this once or twice a week.
- For consumption: Use olive oil in your cooking, but don’t go overboard; remember moderation is key.
2. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a natural emollient, which means it fills in the gaps in your skin and makes it feel smooth.
Moreover, the unique combination of fatty acids in coconut oil is good for dry skin. It also protects the skin from damage due to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
A 2004 study published in Dermatitis found that coconut oil is as effective and safe as mineral oil when used as a moisturizer.
- Before going to bed, apply warm extra-virgin coconut oil on your hands.
- Massage for about 5 minutes using circular motions.
- Wear gloves overnight for best results.
- Repeat this simple remedy daily.
3. Aloe Vera
To deal with wrinkled hands, aloe vera is also very effective.
Aloe vera contains natural moisturizing properties that help retain moisture in the skin and prevent premature aging signs like wrinkles. Also, the gel contains polysaccharides that stimulate skin regeneration.
In addition, it forms a protective layer on the skin and improves the skin tone.
A 2006 study published in Skin Research and Technology reports that freeze-dried aloe vera extract is effective at improving skin hydration.
A 2013 study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine reports that fresh aloe vera gel in varied concentrations showed improvement of the skin’s visco elastic and hydration properties, which are important for fighting premature aging signs like wrinkles.
- For daily use: Cut open a fresh aloe vera leaf and remove the gel. Apply the gel on your hands and massage gently for a few minutes. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then rinse it off with lukewarm water. Do this once daily.
- For weekly use: Mix 1 teaspoon of fresh aloe vera gel, 1 teaspoon of ground oatmeal and ½ teaspoon of olive oil in a bowl. Apply this mixture on your hands. Allow it to sit for 30 minutes, then rub off the paste. Finally, rinse your hands with cold water. Use this remedy once a week.
4. Honey
Honey is a natural moisturizer that has antioxidant and humectant properties that work well in fighting wrinkles. It helps lock in moisture to keep your hands extra soft and smooth.
A 2013 study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology reports that in cosmetic formulations, honey exerts emollient, humectant, soothing and hair conditioning effects; keeps the skin youthful and slows wrinkle formation; regulates pH; and prevents pathogen infections.
- For daily use: Rub a little honey all over your hands and leave it on for about 10 minutes. Rinse it off with lukewarm water. Repeat 1 or 2 times daily to enjoy soft and wrinkle-free hands.
- For weekly use: Thoroughly mix 2 tablespoons each of raw honey and avocado pulp. Apply it on your hands for at least 30 minutes, then rinse it off with lukewarm water. Use this pack once or twice a week.
5. Tomatoes
Antioxidant-rich foods like tomatoes can help fight the damage that oxidative stress does to your cells. By reducing free-radical damage in the body, tomatoes delay skin aging and make it less prone to wrinkles.
Being a rich source of lycopene, tomatoes also help your skin absorb more oxygen.
A 2016 study published in the British Journal of Dermatology reports that tomatoes are rich in an antioxidant called lycopene that helps shield the body from harmful UV radiation. This could help stave off wrinkles as well as skin cancer.
- For daily use: Rub a slice of tomato on your hands for 5 minutes. Wait another 5 minutes, then rinse it off using cool water. Do it twice daily.
- For weekly use: Put the pulp of 1 tomato and 1 ripe avocado in a blender to make a smooth paste. Apply it on your hands and allow it to sit for at least 20 to 30 minutes. Rinse it off with lukewarm water and pat dry your hands. Do it once a week.
- For consumption: Drink a glass of tomato juice daily to nourish your skin from within.
6. Green Tea
Green tea is rich in flavonoids and polyphenols that have antioxidant activity, which is considered important for anti-aging processes.
- For weekly use: Mix 1 tablespoon of ground green tea leaves, 2 to 3 tablespoons of plain yogurt and a little turmeric powder in a bowl. Mix well and apply it on your hands. Allow it to sit for 20 minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Do this once or twice a week.
- For consumption: Drink 2 or 3 cups of green tea daily.
7. Overripe Bananas
An overripe banana makes a great home remedy for wrinkled hands, due to its moisturizing properties.
This fruit is rich in essential nutrients like vitamins (A, B and E), iron, magnesium, zinc and potassium, which help a lot in rejuvenating the skin along with fighting wrinkles.
A 2012 study published in the Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry reports that banana works well as an anti-wrinkle treatment.
- For daily use: Mash 1 overripe banana into a thick paste and apply it on your hands. Leave it on for 30 minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Do this once daily.
- For weekly use: Mash ½ of a ripe banana. Add a little honey and olive oil, and mix well. Apply this paste on your hands. Leave it on for 20 minutes. Wash it off with lukewarm water first, then with cold water to lock in moisture. Do this once or twice a week.
8. Avocados
Another fruit that can help keep your hands soft and crease-free is avocados.
Avocados are rich in antioxidants as well as potent anti-aging properties that can reverse wrinkles and keep your hands looking smooth.
In addition, it improves the production of collagen, which maintains your skin’s elasticity and firmness.
A 2012 study published in the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology journal reports that consuming avocados bolsters cells’ power centers against harmful free radicals.
- For daily use: Use avocado oil to massage your hands daily before going to bed. Leave it on overnight, then rinse it off in the morning.
- For weekly use: Mash 1 ripe avocado with a fork until you have a smooth texture. Add a little honey and mix well. Apply the mixture on your hands and leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes. Rinse it off with lukewarm water and pat your skin dry. Repeat 2 or 3 times a week.
- For consumption: Include avocados in your diet.
9. Castor Oil
Castor oil is good for your wrinkled hands.
It works as a great moisturizer and even penetrates deep into the skin, which helps keep your skin smooth and wrinkle-free. Also, this oil promotes the production of elastin and collagen, which help delay the appearance of aging signs and keep your skin looking youthful.
Plus, the high concentration of fatty acids in it promotes healthy and glowing skin.
Use either of the following remedies daily:
- Gently massage your skin with a few drops of castor oil in circular motions at night before going to sleep. Do this daily.
- Mix equal parts of castor oil and coconut oil and massage it into the skin. Wait 20 to 30 minutes, then rinse it off. Repeat daily.
10. Lavender Essential Oil
When it comes to dealing with wrinkles, lavender oil is very effective.
The high antioxidant content in lavender oil protects the skin from harmful free radicals as well as damaging UV rays of the sun.
- Mix 4 or 5 drops of lavender essential oil into 2 tablespoons of lukewarm extra-virgin olive oil.
- Use it to massage your hands in the morning, just after taking your shower.
- Repeat again right before going to bed.
- Do this daily.
Additional Tips
- Avoid using harsh soaps to wash your hands.
- Do not wash your hands with water that is too hot or too cold.
- Do not use hot air dryers to dry your wet hands. Always pat dry your hands using a soft towel.
- Wear cotton gloves when doing household or gardening work.
- Exfoliate your hands at least once a week to get rid of old, dry, dull skin cells.
- Eat foods high in vitamins and nutrients that will give your skin a natural glow.
- Drink enough water to keep your skin as well as body hydrated.
- Limit your intake of sugar and saturated oil-rich foods to help your skin retain its youthful shape.
- To protect the skin on your hands from harmful UV sunrays, apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) over 30. Reapply it after washing your hands.
- Avoid smoking as well as being around secondhand smoke, as it has a damaging effect on your skin.
- You can even consider taking a beta-carotene supplement, but consult your doctor first.