I was on my way to an important meeting the other day when I looked down at my nails to make sure I had filed them. Yep, I had, but my hands were a mess! Living in a cold weather climate I had forgotten how quickly your cuticles, nail beds and hands can crack and bleed! Seems that even a small lapse in this most basic of body care can wreak havoc indefinitely.  The best skin tip for this often forgotten area of your body is simple; prettify to look hands-down gorgeous!

1. Hydrate while you wash. Popular anti-bacterial soaps actually contain alcohol that dries your skin. A good alternative for softer hands? A milky, sulfate-free soap instead. Remember after you wash to lock in the moisture with petrolatum-rich lotion.
2. Soften your cuticles. Treat those hangnails to a massage with an oil-based cream once in the morning and once in the evening to repair damage. Prefer neat cuticles? Use an orangewood stick once a week to push the cuticles back and then trim any stubborn remainders.
3. Make your nails stronger. Keep your nails looking beautiful and strong by avoiding nail polish that contains; toluene, formaldehyde and dibutyl phthalate. Keep them that way by periodically taking a break from polish to let them breath; embrace the natural look at least one week per month.
4. How’s Your Skin tone? Keep your hands sun spot free by using a sunscreen with at least an SPF of 30 each day. Do you already have stubborn sun spots? Try using products with exfoliating glycolic acid every other day. You will have smooth flawless hands in no time!

Try these skin care tips tomorrow and see the results start to appear! But don’t be like me, remember to incorporate these tips into your body care routine daily, even when you hands already look like a million bucks!