Do your hands look older than you feel? It's not surprising when you think of how much we use and abuse them – exposing them to the drying effects of the sun, winter winds and the harsh chemicals found in many cleaning products. You may be surprised to learn that just five minutes of hand care each day can make a difference. Try these handy ways to keep yours looking beautiful from dove.ca:

• Protect your hands by wearing sunscreen every day and gloves when doing work that might damage them, such as cleaning, gardening or shoveling. This is the first and most important step to minimizing the signs of aging.

• Slough off dead skin cells and give your hands a smoother and healthier appearance. Mix together some sea salt and lemon juice. Brush it into your hands with an old toothbrush a couple of times a week and then rinse. It's rejuvenating.

• Soften your hands even while you do the dishes. Add a little almond oil (about a teaspoon) to your dishwater. The water will reduce roughness, while the oil seals the moisture into your skin.

• Strengthen fragile nails by heating a cup of milk in the microwave for about 30 seconds (or until warm). Then soak your hands in the milk for about five minutes. Its high calcium content works to strengthen brittle nails.

• Moisturize your hands while you're washing them. Did you know that the average woman washes her hands five to six times each day? This can be very drying over time. Try switching to Dove Nourishing Hand Wash that contains a moisturizing ingredient for clean hands that stay soft and supple.

• Alleviate dry, cracked hands using leftovers. Create a mask with warm mashed potatoes (that contain milk or olive oil) and apply it to your hands. Leave it on for about 15 minutes and then rinse with cool water.

• Lighten age spots that appear on your hands due to sun exposure (hint: they look like large freckles). Simply dab a cotton ball into freshly squeezed lemon juice and apply to the spots twice a day until you get the desired results (usually in about six to eight weeks).

• Brighten dull nails with a little bit of castor oil. Massage a drop onto each nail and then buff using a tissue. Your nails will have a natural, beautiful shine.

• Foster healthy hands with this simple exercise. Clench your fists tightly for a second and them throw them open so that your fingers are spread as wide as possible. Repeat this steadily 10 times. It will help improve circulation and loosen your finger joints.

Winter brings with it frosty nights, sparkling snow, crisp air, crackling fires … and dreaded hat hair. The bitter weather can make it difficult to have good hair days, but there are ways to keep hair strong, healthy and shiny even if it is stuffed under your ski hat.

“You need to pay extra attention to your hair in the winter even more than other times of the year,” says Brian Magallones, celebrity stylist for Garnier Fructis. “The dry air and harsh weather can strip strands of moisture leaving them dull and straw-like.”

Magallones shares the following tips for keeping hair fabulous and healthy all winter long.

*Schedule a trim every six to eight weeks. Snipping away brittle and split ends is an instant hair makeover.

* Shampoo every other day with a moisture-rich product and condition your hair every time you shampoo. “Preferably, use a conditioner that contains strengthening vitamins like Garnier Fructis Moisture Works,” says Magallones. “This will protect hair from damage caused by hot styling tools -- hair dryers, straighteners, curling irons -- used often this season for special occasions like holiday parties.”

* Be sure to use the lowest heat setting on the hair dryer and take warm, not hot, showers to avoid over drying hair. Do still dry your hair, though. Going outside with a wet head can cause hair to freeze and break.

* Cold temperatures and warm hats can cause flyaways. A shot of a static-preventing spray or a light sweep with a fabric softener sheet can stop static from making your hair stand on end.

* If you’re wearing a hat, fix hair by adding texturizing paste or freshening spray to restyle and shape hair.

* Use a room humidifier to add moisture to the air and drink lots of water. Being hydrated on the inside can make your hair and skin look hydrated on the outside.

* Get highlights. Winter hair is exposed to less sun and can be darker and duller than in summer. They also brighten up any complexion.

Healthy winter hair may take a bit of extra work, but with a little added moisture and vitamin fortified shampoos and conditioners you can turn nasty, weak and dry strands into strong and beautiful locks that will shine all winter long.

Courtesy of ARAcontent