Hands are often neglected in our skincare regimen, but they’re what show our real age

Looking young is more than just taking care of the wrinkles on one’s face. We may make an effort on our necks and chests, but hands are usually relegated to the bottom of the skincare totem pole—despite the fact they offer the most glaring signs of one’s real age.

Sure, regular manicures help keep nails in order and cuticles under control, but there are methods beyond a nice filing job that ensure youthful-looking hands. According to Samira Asemanfar, founder of Bellacures nail salons, achieving digits that don’t age you requires balancing product (regular moisturizing and SPF application) and nail color and shape. “It’s better to have hands that are a little bit more on the aged side wearing a very short nail, square with rounded corners, with a solid polish color of something bright like pink, orange or coral,” she says. “Nothing frosty.”

Conversely, having long, ’90s-era nails can really reveal your age: “The person [wearing them] is not up to date.” No matter one’s age, Asemanfar prescribes various shades of gray and the darker colors that have come out in the last three years as universally flattering and “fantastic colors to rock on short nail beds.” She also strongly suggests women avoid the classic French manicure since it’s more of a conservative look and can be unintentionally aging.

To keep the skin on our hands fresh and unmarred, being mindful of sun exposure is a top priority—and it can come from unexpected places. “Everyone is getting gels left and right, and they’re sticking their hands in the UV light for two minutes at a time for an average of 10-15 minutes every time,” says Asemanfar. “That’s like a tanning bed for your hands.” She’s started wearing fingerless gloves during her gelicure, which she will start making at all Bellacures locations over the next month. “People moisturize all the time, but they forget that their hands also need SPF. Deborah Lippmann makes a good one, the Rich Girl Hand Cream. It has the perfect amount of moisture and SPF 25.”

To further de-age one’s hands, Asemanfar suggests keeping them smooth with occasional at-home treatments of almond or grapeseed oil mixed into hand cream, slathered all over and topped with gloves overnight. With just a little TLC, SPF and a chic, short mani, your hands can turn back time.