Tag Archives: Men’s grooming tips

Wallet – check. Phone – check. Keys – check. Money – check. It’s safe to say these items are part of the checklist of items men run through before they leave home for the day. Perhaps lip balm is on there when it’s really cold out but the question I pose today is this, how many of you carry around hand lotion? Does that seem a bit too fussy? Consider the fact that women notice fine details and ashy hands will result in the loss of brownie points. If that got your attention, read on.

If you suffer from ashy skin, you’ll notice it occurring during the winter and after long hot showers, two common factors. During the winter, temperatures drop and the air gets very dry, and while long hot showers can be soothing, the heat opens our pores allowing moisture to escape. In both of these instances, the top layer of our skin is being stripped of its natural moisture, leaving the skin dry and itchy. Add to that the fact that in the winter, we’re constantly washing our hands to kill germs and that is a recipe for ashy hands.

So, what can we do to remedy this? Cutting down the length and temperature of those showers will help but what you really want to do is moisturize your skin more often. Add any one of the following to your daily checklist of must have items before you leave the house to keep your polished look intact. (From L to R):

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter
I can’t even remember when I started using this but it’s stood the test of time. Cocoa butter will do your skin justice. Its rich formula will create a protective barrier between your skin and the elements. The result, moisturized hands that look manicured without feeling greasy.

Jack Black Industrial Hand Healer
Jack Black’s Industrial Hand Healer is a quiet worker bee. Before you know it, eucalyptus, vitamin A and E quickly penetrate your skin to rid it of ash. There’s no residual greasy feeling or extra shine. Hands are left feeling smooth and moisturized and no one’s the wiser.

Portland General Store Wood Super Thick Hand Cream
Formulated for overworked hands, Wood Super Thick Hand Cream is all natural and loaded with essential oils. It works fast to moisturize hands and is the most masculine smelling of the bunch.

Bliss High Intensity Hand Cream
You probably noticed your ladies’ Bliss products but this is one you can use with no shame. You only need a little bit of Bliss’ High Intensity Hand Cream to heal your ash. Macadamia nut oil and grape seed extract work to hydrate and soothe your skin leaving hands feeling rescued.

L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream
Super creamy and packed with 20% shea butter honey, almond and coconut oil, L’Occitane’s Shea Butter Hand Cream is by far one of my favorites. Creamy and light, it quickly penetrates the skin to hydrate hands leaving them polished and soft without the feeling of grease.