The Nail Mistakes That May Be Making Your Hands Look Older

While many people aren't entirely stoked about getting older, especially in a culture where aging is treated like a crime, the reality is that — like death and taxes — you can't escape it. But if you're willing to be like one of the many older celebs who aren't playing by society's beauty rules, you can actually have fun with the whole aging thing, and maybe even embrace it. If wisdom and laugh lines are privileges that are earned, then the only way to get both of those things is by getting older.

No matter your feelings on saying ciao to your youth, one of the downsides of aging is the upkeep. As collagen levels deplete, you have to change things like your skincare routine and even how you wear makeup. For example, the tips for applying makeup to mature skin for a flawless finish at 65 are far different from the ones you used in your 30s. The same goes for things like nail care. All it takes is one misstep, and your hands can look older than they actually are. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but might be something you want to avoid.

Because looking and feeling your very best at all times is important to us, Women exclusively spoke to celebrity and editorial nail artist, Sonya Meesh, about the nail mistakes you might be making that are aging your hands. What's important to realize is that it's not just about nail shape and polish color, but taking care of the skin too. Just a few tweaks to your hand care regimen are all you need.

Once the temperatures start to go up and the days get longer, conversations around sunblock start to increase. While we're all in agreement that sunscreen should absolutely be part of your skincare routine, it's also time to stop overlooking your hands when you're applying SPF, too. After all, your hands — like your face — are constantly being exposed to the elements.

"The biggest [nail] mistake is not using sunscreen on the backs of your hands," Sonya Meesh tells Women, adding that protecting that part of your body is a major preventative measure we should all be taking to slow the signs of aging. If you haven't been applying sunblock to your hands, then there's no time like right this second to get started. La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5 is a cream sunscreen that's perfect for all parts of the body, including the hands. Not only does it boast a whopping sun protection of 50 SPF, but it's also very affordable for the quality and quantity.

"Prevention really is the name of the game here if aging is a concern for you," says Meesh. "Your hands are arguably the most exposed part of you daily, so take care of them as you would your face!" It's also worth noting that, while we can rely on cosmetic intervention for an aging face, the same can't be said for hands. While there are hand rejuvenation treatments, like lasers and fillers, because the skin is so thin, you shouldn't expect to have 25-year-old-looking hands at 70.

In news you've probably heard before, collagen levels start decreasing in your mid-20s. That's right. You're out there living your best life, while your collagen slowly depletes by about 1% every year. Although you may think you can counter this with collagen supplements, think again. According to a 2025 study published in The American Journal of Medicine, there's no evidence that collagen supplements can treat or even prevent this very natural part of life. So the next best thing? Hydrating the heck out of your hands.

"Keeping your nails and skin hydrated is also key in ensuring you don't age your hands," Sonya Meesh exclusively tells Women, adding that when it comes to nail mistakes that are making your hands look older, it's more about the health and integrity of the nails, as opposed to trends. But here's the deal: hydrating and moisturizing your skin are different things, and you absolutely need both. Hydration increases the water in your skin — similar to when you hydrate your body by drinking water — while moisturizing creates a barrier that prevents water loss.

While you're doing all this moisturizing and hydrating, pay attention to your cuticles and nail beds, but remember that this doesn't mean making a beeline to the cuticle oil. "Always use hyaluronic acid first," celebrity manicurist Jenni Draper told Good Housekeeping in August 2025. "So it can actually hydrate your skin, then use oil last to lock in moisture and keep cuticles smooth and neat."

Whether you don't want your hands to appear older than they are or you already have older hands, there are nail colors you should think twice about before applying. With the aforementioned drop in collagen levels, skin — especially on the hands — gets thinner and in some cases even translucent. Because of this, it's paramount to be aware of what color polishes will complement your mature skin and what will make your hands appear older.

You may think that sticking to nudes and neutrals is an easy way to avoid nail mistakes, but that's not always the case. Yes, these particular tones won't contribute to emphasizing the color of your veins or age spots, but they do have another downside. "The one stylistic mistake you can make is choosing the wrong nude shade for your hands, especially if it's opaque," says Sonya Meesh, adding that when choosing the right nude shade for your hands, color theory plays a key role. "You can make your hands look like they belong to a corpse if you pick the wrong undertone," explains Meesh.

With this in mind, if you want nude nails, choose a shade that works with your skin's undertones instead of against it. If you're looking to match your nails exactly to your skin's shade, then you can't be surprised when you end up with mannequin hands or, as Meesh puts it, corpse hands. Neither of which is a good look on anyone.

Although our culture likes to treat self-care like a luxury, the fact of the matter is that it's necessary. Self-care gives us a chance to unwind, makes us feel good about ourselves, and allows us to check in with our emotional, mental, and physical well-being. Self-care is especially important if you're advocating for others, whether that be on a political scale or in your own family.

Getting regular manicures isn't just a form of self-care with loads of health benefits, according to a 2023 study published in Frontiers in Psychology; it's also a great way to prevent your hands from looking older. "Staying on top of your manicures will help with cuticle growth, rough skin, and a fresh nail polish application," celebrity nail artist Elizabeth Garcia told Parade in October 2025. "All of these will help maintain your hands looking younger and well-groomed."

When it comes to nail mistakes that may be making your hands look older, for the most part, these faux pas are easy to fix. Ultimately, it comes down to paying attention to your nails and keeping them healthy. And, of course, if something looks or feels off, make an appointment with your doctor to make sure it's nothing serious. If you can do all that — and run from the wrong shade of nude — your hands will look younger, longer than you expected.