The art of touch: the ELEMIS guide to luxurious hand care

Despite their constant use, hands are often neglected when it comes to skincare routines. Nurturing your hands not only tends to these issues but also gives you the chance to practice self-care.

You may think massages are for those with too much time on their hands, but what you may not realise is hand massages have a multitude of wellness benefits.

It’s relaxing for the body

Not everyone has the time or money to invest in a full-body massage. Or perhaps you don’t like strangers touching you and would prefer to do it yourself. In that case, a self-hand massage is the answer. The practice requires you to slow down, which is essential in a fast-paced world. So, how are hand massages relaxing?

The gentle and calming kneading of muscles releases built-up tension and soreness, helping the mind and body unwind. The process stimulates the happy hormones — serotonin and dopamine — and regulates the stress hormone cortisol. This results in reduced anxiety and lower stress levels.

It stimulates blood flow for glowing skin

Massaging your hands can loosen and warm up the muscles. This encourages the flow of oxygen and nutrients, which are essential for radiant skin. It also promotes cell rejuvenation, by replacing old and dull skin cells, supporting the derma barrier for more hydrated hands.

It has soothing anti-inflammatory effects

Your hands experience daily strains and repetitive movements which can swell the knuckles and muscles, creating tenderness and discomfort. A hand massage can help release trapped fluid around sore areas and soften hardened muscles.

It can enhance your beauty sleep

The therapeutic effect of hand massages balances the sleep hormone, melatonin. The sleep-inducing hormone helps you feel drowsy and drift off into a rejuvenating rest. Blue light from screens suppresses melatonin, so turn off the TV and treat yourself to a tranquil hand massage instead.

It reduces joint pain for flexible wrists

Your wrists are an extension of your hand, but they are often misaligned throughout the day. This can cause them to seize up, and you may lose flexibility or struggle to find a comfortable position.

Hand massages free tension and work out the knots and kinks that form in your wrists. Ensure your wrists are correctly aligned when writing or typing and tend to them once a day for pain-free and flexible joints.

Now you know the beautiful benefits of nurturing your hands, it’s time for a step-by-step hand care guide. Remember, following the correct steps and using hand care products for a spa-like experience is essential for an indulgent experience.

Can you do a hand massage while catching up on your favourite TV shows? Of course. But to make it special and extend this level of self-love to your surrounding environment. Dim the lights and light a candle for ambience, calming your nervous system. Next, put on soft background music to soothe your body and make the hand massage more effective.

A non-negotiable step to luxury hand care is ensuring that your skin is clean and fresh. This helps prevent the spread of bacteria and germs, and it also allows the products to penetrate your skin.

Luxuriously lather your hands with the Mayfair No.9 Hand and Body Duo. Starflower and elderflower softly cleanse, sweeping away any impurities you may miss with standard soap. Blissful shea and cocoa seed butter then deeply nourishes for a clean yet pampered finish. 

Alternatively, you can use the Revitalise-Me Hand & Body Wash, infused with stimulating thyme, basil and neroli. The cashmere-smooth formula is kind to your skin while cleansing stubborn dirt and grime.

Think of everything you touch over the day. Keys, cutlery, food, door handles — the list is endless. Unfortunately, this causes dead skin cells, dirt and pollution to build up on the surface of your hands. Therefore, before starting your massage, it’s crucial to revitalise with a hand exfoliator.

Firstly, select your ELEMIS exfoliator of preference. Then, take a small amount and apply it to your hands. Move the product in smooth, circular motions not forgetting the back of your hands, palms, wrists and fingers. Rinse and pat dry with a clean, soft towel.

Our hand exfoliants

1. Frangipani Monoi Salt Glow Body Scrub: Indulge in a lightly fragranced body scrub to revive dullness. The luxurious salt gently brushes off dead skin cells for silky skin and is effective for callous or hard hands.

2. Lime and Ginger Salt Glow: Invigorate your skin and refresh your senses with a zesty body scrub that’s ideal for smoothing and softening. Sea salt and lime peel offer unbeatable exfoliation while coconut and sweet almond oils lock in moisture.

Take a look at our hand and foot care products for more irresistible washes, scrubs, and lotions.

Warm up your hand muscles with the ELEMIS Warm-Up Massage Balm. The rich texture melts into the skin, hydrating and nourishing with linseed, blackcurrant seed and black seed oil. It provides a satisfying slippery texture for a revitalising massage.

Lay one hand on a comfortable surface. Then, firmly but gently massage the back of it using your knuckles from the other hand. Knead in small, circular motions, taking extra care of any tender spots. Pay particular attention to the muscles around your thumb, as this is where your hands may hold the most tension — especially if you regularly use a keyboard or write in your day-to-day.

Switch to massaging with your fingers and thumb. Use rhythmic circles to get into areas that feel stiff and sore and alter the pressure depending on what’s most comfortable. Don’t forget your fingers and wrists, and give the other hand the same amount of attention.

Follow up with a pea-sized amount of Revitalise-Me Hand & Body Lotion and softly work the product into your skin. The delicate aromas of sweet orange, lime and neroli leave your hands with a decedent and uplifting scent.

Ensure you moisturise the skin between your fingers, which can be prone to dryness and massage in more lotion as and when needed.

The final step to a well-rounded luxury hand treatment is beautifying your nails. Once your hands are lightly moisturised with lotion, delicately rub in Pro-Radiance Hand and Nail Cream. 

The blend of milk protein, avellana seed oil and camellia deeply nourishes for satin-soft skin and shiny nails. The result? Radiant and rejuvenated hands.

Don’t suffer from dry and stiff hands. Create a luxury at-home spa treatment to relieve dryness, smooth away tension, and give your hands much-deserved TLC with hand care from ELEMIS.