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.

The snow. The slush. The sleet. It's enough to make even the most beautiful skin shiver. Before you settle in for a long winter's nap, grab hold of these beauty-boosting winter skin care tips that are sure to beat your winter blahs — and put a warm smile on your face.

• Skip the soap — which can leave skin feeling dry, itchy and irritated – and treat your skin to an at-home microdermabrasion treatment, such as Mary Kay's two-step TimeWise Microdermabrasion Set. Used once or twice per week, this treatment may help polish your skin back to its natural beauty. "The super-exfoliating cream gently removes dull skin, to reveal more radiant, healthy-looking skin," says Debra Joseph, director of marketing and communications at Mary Kay Cosmetics Ltd. "Post-exfoliation, follow up with our nourishing serum to instantly smooth, soothe and soften the appearance of the skin, readying it for the next step in your skin care routine."

• If your skin is positively parched, Joseph recommends lavishing it with Mary Kay's Intense Moisturizing Cream. "Vitamin E, marine extract and minerals like copper, magnesium and zinc in a creamy, dreamy formula work to leave skin feeling hydrated for up to 10 hours."

• And don't forget about your winter-worn body. For a refreshing treat that's sure to wash away your winter blahs, pamper yourself with Mary Kay's Body Care Collection in two mood-boosting botanical blends. "Whether you choose Lotus and Bamboo for it's clean crisp scent, or Red Tea and Fig for its soothing sweetness, our body care collections are a perfect pampering treat during dreary winter months," says Joseph.

Each collection includes Loofah Body Cleanser to buff away dry skin, Nourishing Body Lotion to moisturize and Deo Body Spritzer for a burst of scent that freshens skin. Joseph suggests teaming all three of these botanical body care products for "a cozy, at-home spa experience."

With just a little help from these beauty-boosting winter skin care solutions, available exclusively through Mary Kay independent beauty consultants, your skin will glow from head to toe — maybe enough to melt the snow.

You can locate an independent beauty consultant online at www.marykay.ca or toll-free at 1-866-455-5454.
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