Care for beautiful hands

THE MOST IMPORTANT TIPS ABOUT MANICURES

The condition of our hands and finger nails says a lot about us – but they are subjected to particular stresses day after day. Intensive care and regular manicures are therefore particularly important: NIVEA can advise you what you should pay attention to.

Delicate and in need of care: all you need to know about the skin on your hands

Here are a few things that you should know about the skin on your hands

It is almost as sensitive as the skin on our faces and it has to endure more, as our hands are constantly being used.
The skin on the back of our hands is very thin and has little adipose tissue in the subcutis. This makes it sensitive and subject to ageing easily.
The palms have more fatty tissue and connective tissue and are more robust. But without any hair or sebaceous glands, it is difficult for them to absorb moisture.
External influences such as sun, cold, heat and water also disrupt the skin’s natural protective barriers.
The aim of hand care is to protect the hands from drying out and to provide them with moisture.

Treat your skin to an extra dose of tender loving care

An extra dose of care at night is quite simple: rub in a thick layer of cream (NIVEA Smooth Nourishing Hand Creme, for instance) and pull on a pair of light cotton gloves. Simply leave them on throughout the night and wake up with delicately moisturised hands.

Nails, nail bed and cuticles: beautiful right down to your finger tips

Beautiful finger nails complete your hand care. Therefore you should regularly indulge in a manicure for your nails, cuticles and nail bed. You can read more below.

But how else can you look after your nails?

When you apply cream to your hands, make sure you always include your nails in the routine. While you are applying cream to your hands (or feet), you can simply lightly massage some of it into the edges of the nails and care for them in this way, too.

There are also special cuticle sticks impregnated with nail oil. Using the stick, apply the moisturiser simply and quickly to the edges of the nails and rub in it gently. Alternatively, you can also massage nail oil into the nails in the evening before going to bed. This provides extra moisture, strengthens the nails and keeps them healthy and smooth.

Another advantage: the cuticles do not keratinise so much and so you save time on manicures and pedicures. Find out more about how best to look after your feet.

Tips for looking after dry hands

Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise! As the skin on your hands cannot regenerate itself due to a lack of subcutaneous tissue, they need a lot of moisture.

Intensive care for dry hands
Very dry hands itch, have taut skin and even crack. Rich hand creams with dexpanthenol and calendula oil promise a rapid remedy. They soothe the stressed skin immediately, protect it and support the regeneration process.

Our tip: choose a hand cream with Hydra IQ, such as Smooth Nourishing Hand Cream by NIVEA that supplies the skin with non-stop moisture.

Tips for looking after dry hands

Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise! As the skin on your hands cannot regenerate itself due to a lack of subcutaneous tissue, they need a lot of moisture.

Hand creams with dexpanthenol – the extra ingredient for moisture and care

Very dry hands that are rough and cracked need a lot more care and attention. Try NIVEA Repair & Care Hand Balm. Its Hydra IQ formula provides a lot of moisture, and dexpathenol soothes the feeling of tightness.

Hand care with NIVEA: tips for caring for your hands and beautiful finger nails

Cleansing scrubs, rich masks and the right moisturising care ensure healthy nails and beautiful hands.

Scrubs: velvety skin in the twinkling of an eye

A scrub is not only particularly effective but can also easily be done at home: Simply mix three tablespoons of olive oil with two tablespoons of sugar. Apply the paste generously to your hands and then massage it in without applying much pressure. The olive oil makes the skin soft and smooth, and the sugar rubs off dead skin particles and ensures the blood circulates well. Finally, rinse the scrub off with lukewarm water. Now your hands are completely ready for the next stage of care and a manicure.

Step by step: the perfect manicure

Just like the skin on your hands, the cuticle can also easily become dry or tear. This is why it also needs a lot of moisture.
Moisturise the cuticle regularly with oil or cream – for best results, every time you have a manicure. Simply gently massage it in and let it absorb into the skin for a short while!
When manicuring and cutting your nails, it is better to use scissors than nail clippers. Clippers often cause small tears that can then lead to the nail splitting later on.
Then file your nails into shape using a glass nail file. As these have a smooth surface, the nails can be filed very finely. Start by using the coarse side, then use the fine one.
It is important to file in one direction only so that the structure is not damaged.
A rounded nail shape that extends just a short way over the fingertip, looks most natural.