When it comes to skin- and body-care, it’s all too easy to overlook the hands. As we age, skin naturally loses elasticity—becoming drier, thinner, and more prone to discoloration and scarring. We put our hands through a lot, it’s no wonder they’re often quickest to show signs of dehydration.

A good hand-care routine–quality hand cream, using exfoliators designed to improve skin texture (such as glycolic and lactic acid), and taking care to always wear gloves when washing up or gardening–can make a big difference. So too can the right shade of nail polish.

“The right color can really do a lot,” nail expert Ambra Toccacieli explains. “It brightens the hand, evens out the complexion, and immediately restores that fresh, taken-care-of look.” While nail shade is always a matter of personal choice and skin tone, Toccacieli shares her advice on flattering colors to keep in mind.

For Minimizing Marks

“When there are spots or dyschromia (color changes in the skin or nails), I would stay away from nail polish with yellow or orange undertones, because they tend to amplify contrast,” Toccacieli says. Pinky nudes, cool beiges, delicate mauves, and milky shades are more harmonious, and can make the skin look brighter and more even as a result.