Why are My Hands Wrinkled

Causes, Prevention, Treatments and At-Home Remedies

by: Linda Robison / Facial Fitness Specialist

Why are my hands so wrinkled?

The skin on your hands is thinner, drier, and gets more sun than almost any other part of your body — making it one of the first places to wrinkle.

But there’s good news: You can improve the look of dry, spotty, or wrinkled hands with the right mix of care, products, and habits.

Whether you want natural home remedies or clinical treatments, I’ll walk you through what really works — including 5 hand care tips for wrinkled hands.

Intro: Why do hands wrinkle so easily?

Our poor hands! They wrinkle faster because their skin is thinner, with fewer oil glands to keep them hydrated, making them more prone to drying out and wrinkling.

Plus, they endure a lot of abuse from the sun, water, harsh chemicals, etc... All this extra exposure makes them age faster.

Common signs of aging hands

Common signs of aging hands include:

• Wrinkles and fine lines
• Age spots
• Dry, scaly skin
• Loss of volume and elasticity
• Brittle nails

These changes are caused by collagen loss, UV damage, dehydration, and constant handwashing — and they can start earlier than you think.

What causes hand wrinkles?

Hand wrinkles can be caused by several factors:

• Sun damage: UVA rays break down collagen and cause age spots
• Dehydration: Constant handwashing, alcohol, or weather can dry skin
• Loss of fat: As we age, hands lose volume and structure
• Genetics: Some people wrinkle earlier
• Lifestyle: Smoking, alcohol, poor diet, and skipping moisturizer make it worse

Curious how to fix it? Start with these 5 hand care tips for wrinkled hands.

Quick answer: Why do hands wrinkle?

Hands wrinkle from a combination of sun exposure, collagen loss, dryness, and daily wear and tear.

Over time, this breaks down skin structure — but daily care can help smooth and restore aging hands.

How to prevent hand wrinkles naturally

You can't stop aging, but you can slow down hand wrinkles with a few simple habits. Daily moisturizing, UV protection, and gentle washing are key.

Use a gentle hand soap (and don’t overwash)

Harsh soaps strip your skin’s natural oils — and over time, that leads to dryness and wrinkles.

Look for pH-balanced, moisturizing soaps like:

• Cetaphil Gentle Antibacterial Cleansing Bar
• Method Gel Hand Wash
• Dove Antibacterial Beauty Bar

Even with gentle options, don’t overdo it. Washing too often—even with mild cleansers—can age your hands.

This Rosemary Peppermint Hand & Body Wash is one of my go-to’s for keeping hands clean without drying them out. It’s aloe-based, pH-balanced, and infused with rosemary and peppermint to refresh your skin and senses. So gentle, you can even use it on your face and body if you’d like. 

Moisturize after every wash (it matters more than you think)

The best time to apply lotion is right after washing, while skin is still damp — it helps trap moisture. 

ABZ Tip: Keep a small tube of hand cream at the sink, in your bag, by your desk… everywhere.  Consistency is more important than fancy ingredients.

One of my current favorites? Medix 5.5 Retinol Hand & Body Lotion. I found it after reading a ton of impressive Amazon reviews—especially from people using it for crepey skin and hand wrinkles.

Don’t skip sunscreen on your hands

Hands get more sun than you think — while driving, walking, even standing by a window.

Try a combo hand cream + SPF like:

• Supergoop! Forever Young Hand Cream SPF 40
• CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
• Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream with SPF 30
• Eucerin Daily Hydration Hand Cream with SPF 30

Look for ones with a high PA rating to block wrinkle-causing UVA rays.
(What’s a PA rating? Learn more here.)

Quick recap: how to prevent hand wrinkles

Use a gentle, moisturizing hand wash

Apply lotion while skin is damp

Wear SPF daily, especially when driving

Avoid hot water, and wear gloves when cleaning

Best treatments for wrinkled hands: professional and at-home

Whether you want dramatic in-office results or budget-friendly options you can do at home, there’s something that can help smooth, hydrate, or plump wrinkled hands.

Professional treatments for hand wrinkles

Want fast or dramatic results? These in-office treatments can improve the look of aging hands — especially if you're dealing with volume loss or deep lines.

Chemical peels:

• Help resurface dry, rough skin by removing damaged outer layers.

Microdermabrasion:

• Gently buffs the surface to improve texture and promote cell turnover.

Laser therapy:

• Stimulates collagen, fades sunspots, and improves tone over time. Best for discoloration or fine wrinkles.

Dermal fillers: 

• Add instant volume and smoothness. Great for thinning or bony hands. Results can last 6–12 months.

 Dermal fillers offer instant gratification, and they’re one of the most affordable long-lasting options. Watch the video below to see how they restore lost volume in just minutes.

Video Source: Advanced Dermatology, ABC13.com

Which One Should You Choose?

• Laser Therapy: If you want to address discoloration or fine wrinkles. It’s non-invasive and works overtime.
• Dermal Fillers: Best for dramatic, instant results, especially if your hands have lost significant volume.

Affordable hand wrinkle fixes (OTC options)

Not ready for in-office treatments? These over-the-counter ingredients can help plump, smooth, and hydrate at home. And P.S. I've used many of these options on my face and neck with great results:

• Retinoids – boost collagen and smooth fine lines
• Vitamin C – protects against free radicals and fades age spots
• Hyaluronic acid – hydrates deeply for a plumper, smoother look
• Volufiline: – may help restore fat volume over time (I use this one nightly)

I’ve been adding Volufiline to my night cream, and my hands feel noticeably smoother and more hydrated.

Quick recap: best treatments for wrinkled hands

• Fastest results: dermal fillers
• Best for texture & discoloration: laser or peels
• Budget-friendly options: retinol, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid
• Extra boost: try Volufiline for hydration + plumping
• Bonus: combine treatments with daily SPF and moisturizing

DIY home remedies for wrinkled hands

Some of the best hand-smoothing ingredients are already in your kitchen. These DIY masks and scrubs help with age spots, rough texture, and dry skin — and they’re easy to try at home.

Turmeric brightening mask

Ingredients: Turmeric, lemon juice, honey
Use: Mix into a thick paste and apply to backs of hands for 10–15 minutes.
Why it works: Turmeric and vitamin C help fade spots, while honey hydrates and prevents staining.

Want to know how I use this and avoid yellow hands? I share my grandma’s trick on this 5 step hand care routine here.

Sugar + coconut oil polish

Ingredients: Sugar, coconut oil
Use: Gently scrub onto hands in circles for 30 seconds, rinse with warm water.
Why it works: Buffs away dull skin and locks in moisture.

Bonus: This gentle scrub also works for sensitive skin.

Coffee + almond oil scrub

Ingredients: Finely ground coffee, almond oil
Use: Massage into hands for 1–2 minutes, rinse gently.
Why it works: Exfoliates + boosts circulation to improve tone and puffiness.

Want to see how I personally use these DIYs in my weekly hand routine? Check out my full 5-step hand care routine here.

Summary of Benefits:

Why these home remedies work:

• Help fade sun spots and brighten uneven tone
• Smooth flaky skin with gentle exfoliation
• Deeply hydrate dry or crepey skin
• Support circulation and glow naturally

Practically any scrub or mask used for the face will benefit the skin on your hands too.

Everyday habits that make hands age faster (and how to stop it)

Protect your hands from chemicals and water

Constant exposure to hot water, soap, and cleaning products can strip your skin’s natural oils — leading to dryness, cracks, and wrinkles.

Always wear gloves when doing dishes or cleaning. Look for lined rubber gloves that are snug but not tight.

ABZ Tip: When driving, your hands are exposed to sun while holding the steering wheel. I used to wear plain white cotton gloves—but now I use these breathable touchscreen gloves that double as hand treatment gloves. They protect my hands from the sun and let me stay moisturized while driving.

Eat for better skin (yes, even your hands)

Nutrition for Healthy Hands:

What you eat impacts the health of your skin — including your hands:

• Antioxidants:  (berries, leafy greens): protect collagen and reduce free radical damage.
• Omega-3s:  (salmon, walnuts, chia): hydrate skin and reduce inflammation.
• Lycopene: tomatoes, watermelon): helps protect from UV damage. Bonus: cooked tomatoes release more lycopene than raw ones!

Less sugar = less sagging: Refined carbs stiffen collagen and lead to earlier wrinkles. Want more ideas? Check out my Anti-Aging Foods for Better Skin page!

Hand massage to smooth wrinkles and boost circulation

Just like facial massage helps tone and firm the face, massaging the hands regularly can stimulate blood flow, increase product absorption, and support collagen production.

Try this simple hand massage:

• Use gentle upward strokes along the tops of your hands and around the knuckles
• Focus on tendons and bony areas where volume loss shows the most
• Use a nourishing cream or oil while massaging (I like adding Volufiline here)
• Finish with cotton gloves for an overnight boost

Want to see the exact massage technique I use? Watch the video in my 5-step hand care routine here.

Video Source: Carolyn's Facial Fitness

Quick recap: lifestyle changes for smoother hands

• Wear gloves when cleaning or doing dishes
• Apply lotion before wearing gloves or driving
• Eat more antioxidant-rich foods like berries and tomatoes
• Cut back on sugar and refined carbs
• Massage hands regularly to improve tone and hydration

Final takeaway: Why are my hands wrinkled

Top Takeaways for Wrinkled Hands:

• Moisturize often, especially after washing — look for retinol, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C
• Wear sunscreen on your hands every day, even while driving
• Use gloves when cleaning or doing dishes to avoid stripping your skin
• Try DIY hand masks and scrubs with ingredients like turmeric, coconut oil, or avocado
• Massage your hands to boost circulation and support collagen
• Eat for skin health — focus on antioxidants, omega-3s, and less sugar
• Consider pro treatments like laser or dermal fillers if you want faster results
• Be consistent — the best results come from regular care, not just a one-time fix

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