How To: Take Care of Your Hands

1. Treat cracks and calluses.

Both dry weather and general wear are to blame for the gradual breakdown of skin over time. Spot treat troublesome areas with an intensive formula, and if skin is really broken, swallow your pride and apply an antibiotic ointment and a bandage.

2. Use hand cream or salvedaily.

Ditch the drugstore lotionsimilar to a subpar lip balm, itll do nothing but butter you up with a false sense of security. A nourishing hand salve or cream, however, will serve to repair hands and fortify them against future damage. Consider this oft-overlooked grooming step as essential as applying deodorant.

3. Upgrade your soap.

Ever wonder why washing your hands leaves your skin feeling like chalk? Contrary to popular belief, soap and skin arent actually the best combination. Pick a gentle bar soap that cleanses with natural oils and exfoliators like oatmeal instead of the usual chemicals. And ditch the alcohol-based sanitizer, stattheres a better way.

4. Invest in the occasional man-icure.

Though once reserved for the ladies, the fabled manicure is becoming a mainstay of mens grooming. Our friends at Details defend the service, saying, theres no point in wearing an executives suit if your hands scream lumberjack. Most salons will trim your cuticles, clip your nails (and file away any ragged edges), and buff themwhich adds a healthy shine. Some salons even offer shoulder massages and, if youre lucky, a free beer.

5. Guard hands against the elementsall of them.

You already know to wear gloves in subfreezing tempscold air leaves skin dry and nails brittle. But its not just winter you have to worry about: Your hands are just as susceptible to sun damage as the rest of your skin. Though you dont need to apply SPF to your hands as frequently as you do to your face, always opt for a layer of protection if you work outdoors or are spending the day at the beach.