The changing seasons, in particular, present our skin and nails with various challenges. In this article, we explore how you can optimally care for your hands and fingernails throughout the year and offer you natural care tips and recipes that can be easily integrated into your daily routine.
The importance of hand and nail care
Our hands are constantly exposed to the elements—cold and dry air in winter, intense sunlight in summer. These factors can lead to dryness, cracking, and premature aging. Fingernails can become brittle and split. Targeted care that meets the specific needs of each season is therefore no longer just a nice-to-have, but a must-have.
Hand care throughout the seasons
Winter to spring
In winter, our hands require special attention, as cold and heated air can dry them out severely. As spring transitions, care should be gently transitioned from rich to lighter products.
Spring is always a good time for detoxification and renewal. The soles of the feet and palms of the hands are ideal for this.
Skincare tip: A nourishing hand mask made from shea butter, coconut oil, and a spoonful of zeolite powder provides intensive care. Zeolite has a detoxifying effect and supports skin regeneration.
A detox hand bath made from water with a little zeolite can also be a wonderful way to prepare for the subsequent care.
Spring to summer
With rising temperatures and more outdoor activities, our hands are subjected to greater stress and exposure to the sun. Light but effective care and protection from UV radiation are essential now.
Skincare tip: A hand scrub made from sea salt, olive oil, and a few drops of lavender oil removes dead skin cells and softens hands. Lavender soothes and refreshes the skin. Zeolite also works well as an additive.
Summer to autumn
After summer, hands need regenerating care to repair sun damage and prepare them for the colder season.
Skincare tip: A hand bath with apple cider vinegar and zeolite purifies the skin, as apple cider vinegar is known for its healing properties. Zeolite supports detoxification and mineralization. To do this, mix a small bowl with lukewarm water, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, and 1 heaped teaspoon of zeolite powder, and soak your hands in it for 10 minutes.
Autumn to winter
Prepare your hands for the cold season by intensifying moisture care and protecting your skin from the cold.
Care tip: A rich cream made from aloe vera gel, vitamin E and almond oil provides deep moisture and protects the skin barrier.
Nutrition for healthy nails
A balanced diet plays a crucial role in strong, healthy nails. The following vitamins and minerals are particularly important:
- Biotin (vitamin B7) promotes nail growth. Found in eggs, almonds, and sweet potatoes.
- Iron prevents brittle nails. Good sources include spinach, fish, and lentils. When choosing plant-based iron sources, however, be sure to combine them with vitamin C for better absorption.
- Zinc supports nail tissue repair. Found in pumpkin seeds, beef, and chickpeas.
- Omega-3 fatty acids provide hydration from within. They are abundant in fish, walnuts, and chia seeds.
DIY recipes for hand and nail care
Hand mask for winter
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp shea butter
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon zeolite powder
Instructions: Melt shea butter and coconut oil in a double boiler. Stir in the zeolite powder and let the mixture cool slightly. Apply the mask to your hands and leave it on for 20 minutes. Rinse off with warm water. If you want or need extra intensive care, apply it in the evening before bed and put on cotton gloves. The mask can then work overnight, and you'll wake up with velvety-soft hands the next morning.
Summer hand scrub
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup sea salt or sugar (some people find salt too harsh as a scrub, so sugar is a great alternative)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 5 drops of lavender oil
- 1 teaspoon zeolite powder
Instructions: Mix all ingredients. Massage the scrub into your hands in circular motions, then rinse. Your hands will feel soft and refreshed.
The right manicure
A careful manicure is essential for the appearance and health of your nails. Proper care, trimming and filing, and cuticle care play a key role. Here are some steps and tips for optimal nail care:
How to cut nails correctly
Start trimming your nails, ideally after a bath or shower, as they'll be softer and easier to cut. Use clean, sharp nail scissors or clippers to cut your nails straight across, avoiding cutting too deeply to minimize the risk of paronychia and ingrown nails.
Filing nails
After trimming, filing your nails is important to smooth out any imperfections and achieve the desired shape. Use a fine nail file and file in one direction to smooth the nail tips and prevent split ends. The motion should be gentle and controlled to avoid damaging the nail structure.
Care for cuticles
The cuticles protect your nails from bacteria and should therefore be treated with care. Instead of cutting the cuticles, it's recommended to gently push them back after a warm hand bath. Use a cuticle pusher or a soft wooden stick to do this. Regular application of cuticle oil or a moisturizing cream will keep the cuticles supple and healthy.
Personal tip: When I'm stressed, and sometimes when I'm thinking about something, I pick at my cuticles. Mostly the skin on my thumbs. I know it's not good. It's an old habit I notice every now and then. In case any of you out there, or inside there, depending on how you look at it, also pick at your skin (as we say in Lower Austria—I've never written the word... picking at your skin), I'll tell you what I do then, and what helps very quickly:
I mix Lifekraft Zeolite with whatever cream I can find. I do it all in the palm of my hand. Unpretentious. Yes, I have to do it quickly. But please also read the P.S. to this article. What it says is important to me. And I apply this homemade ointment, mixed in my hand, to my small sore cuticles. It heals almost overnight. Zeolite can do that.
Frequency of manicure
A full manicure, including nail trimming, filing, and cuticle care, should be performed every two to three weeks. This depends on your individual nail growth and cuticle condition. Ideally, nail oil should be applied daily to moisturize and strengthen nails and cuticles.
Extra tip
Avoid using your nails as tools, as this can lead to breakage and damage. Wear gloves if necessary to protect your hands and nails from rough work and chemicals. A careful manicure, combined with a balanced diet and adequate hydration, lays the foundation for strong, healthy nails.
In conclusion:
Caring for our hands and nails should be a priority in our skincare routine to keep them healthy and beautiful. By adapting your care to the seasons and maintaining a healthy diet, you can ensure well-being and beauty all year round.
From our own experience, we can say that our nails and hands are constantly being put under a lot of strain by handling packages, scraping off labels, and carrying products from here to there. And so much is more important in our lives than the beauty of our fingernails.
Finally, there is one more thing to say about hand and nail care:
As a kind of PS, we'd like to emphasize that caring for our hands and nails is much more than just part of our daily routine. It's an act of self-care , a way to show ourselves appreciation and love. By taking the time to care for our skin and nails, we honor not only our outward appearance but also our inner well-being. It's an opportunity to pause in our hectic daily lives, treat ourselves to a little time out, and feel comfortable in our own skin.
These moments of self-care are times when we can listen to ourselves, thank our bodies, and do something good for them. They remind us that self-care is not a superfluous luxury, but a fundamental necessity that helps us stay balanced and healthy. By consciously caring for our hands and nails, we celebrate the beauty of life and the joy of being able to take care of ourselves.
So let's not view these practices as tedious tasks, but as valuable self-care rituals that strengthen us and help us live in harmony with ourselves. Because caring for our hands and nails reflects our love for ourselves—an important step toward feeling completely comfortable and secure in our own skin.
