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When it comes to anti-aging skincare, most people focus almost entirely on their face—but according to board-certified dermatologist Loretta Ciraldo, your hands can often reveal age even faster.
The dermatologist, who says she’s been practicing for more than 40 years, recently shared the simple habits she swears by to keep her hands looking smooth, youthful, and healthy well into her 70s.
“One reason why our hands don’t age as well as our face is because the cell renewal rate of our hands is much slower,” she explained in a recent reel.
Because of this slower turnover, dead skin cells, rough texture, and pigment buildup can become more noticeable over time—making consistent care especially important.
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Exfoliate Your Hands Weekly
One of Dr. Ciraldo’s biggest tips is surprisingly simple: exfoliate your hands regularly.
Since dead skin cells tend to build up more easily on the hands, gentle exfoliation can help improve texture, brightness, and overall smoothness.
“If you have dry hands, I like a lactic exfoliator,” she explained. Lactic acid is known for being one of the gentler exfoliating acids because it not only removes dead skin cells but also helps hydrate the skin at the same time.
Experts generally recommend exfoliating the hands about once a week to avoid irritation or over-drying.
Don’t Waste Your Skincare Products
Another trick Dr. Ciraldo has followed for decades involves making better use of your existing skincare routine. After applying serums and moisturizers to your face, she recommends rubbing whatever product residue remains on your palms directly onto your hands instead of washing it away.
“A lot of residue is left on the palms of your hands,” she said. “Please just take your palms and rub the residue onto your hands.” This easy habit allows your hands to benefit from the same hydrating and anti-aging ingredients you’re already using on your face—including peptides, antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides.
Why Hands Age Faster
Dermatologists say hands are especially vulnerable to visible aging because the skin there is thinner and constantly exposed to environmental stressors like:
- UV damage
- Frequent washing
- Harsh soaps and sanitizers
- Weather exposure
- Household cleaning products
Over time, this can lead to dryness, crepey texture, pigmentation, and volume loss.
While many anti-aging treatments focus on dramatic procedures or expensive products, Dr. Ciraldo says small, consistent habits can make a noticeable difference over time.
“I’ve been doing these couple of tricks for decades and it’s really helped me,” she shared.
Ultimately, caring for your hands the same way you care for your face may be one of the easiest—and most overlooked—ways to maintain a more youthful appearance overall.
