Did you know that your hands are one of the first places to give away your age over any other body part, including your face? Or that the ageing process for hands can start as early as your 20s? Neither did we until a few years ago! Upon finding out, we promptly invested in a couple of tubes of hand cream and strategically placed them in our handbags, desks, bathroom and kitchen sinks, and now it’s part of our daily regime. Think of your hands as you would your face. You wouldn’t wash your face without following up with a moisturiser, so why not do the same for your hands? Using a hand cream not only makes the skin on your hands less dry, but it’s also preventative and has an anti-ageing effect. Trust us, the sooner you start using hand cream, the sooner you will see the results.
Hand creams have advanced over the last few years. Now, there’s so many to choose from, and they can be used to treat a variety of skin conditions. Whether you’re looking for one to fade dark spots, soothe irritation, or protect against UV rays, we’ve found you the perfect one…
#1 Best for Your Handbag
The L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream is a multi-award winning and best-selling hand cream. Everyone (including us) loves its 20% shea butter formula, which locks in moisture and provides a protective barrier against external aggressors, plus antioxidant vitamin E keeps skin protected against ageing free radicals. And, although we like the full-size, we adore the mini-version; the 30ml tube is ideal for stashing in your handbag or hand luggage for application on-the-go).
#2 Best for Extremely Dry Hands
Whenever your hands require some TLC, this is the hand cream you should reach for. It makes light work of dry, rough or cracked skin thanks to its intensive balm-cream formula. We love that it’s so rich yet doesn’t have any greasy or sticky feeling. Calluses? No problem. The UreaRepair Hand Cream contains 5% urea, which is the skin’s own natural moisturising agent.
#3 Best for Sensitive Skin
Irritated and hypersensitive skin? This is the hand cream for you. La Roche-Posay’s ultra-soothing formula is ideal for atopic skin types, such as eczema because it’s so protective. It boasts an innovative non-oily formula that has a 30% concentration of glycerine to deeply hydrate. There’s also an infusion of 4% vitamin B (niacinamide) which has an antihistamine effect and helps to reduce inflammation and prevent cracked skin.
#4 Best for Anti-Ageing
If dark spots and wrinkles on your hands are a concern for you, Clarins have you covered. The Super Restorative Hand Cream has a luxurious mango-butter formula with intelligent anti-ageing benefits. Montpellier rock-rose extract (nicknamed the ‘phoenix’ plant) restores your skin’s luminosity while protecting against age spots. We can’t forget how it feels either; its non-oily texture is a pleasure to apply and helps to strengthen nails and hydrate dry cuticles.
#5 Best for Sun Protection
Just like the rest of your body, if hands are exposed to the sun, ageing is accelerated. The best way to avoid this is to make sure they are protected at all times. This fast-absorbing, water-resistant formula from Ultrasun offers high-level protection from both UVA, UVB and infrared A damage. It helps to fight pigmentation but also helps to reduce existing pigmentation too, plus its kind-to-skin formula is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive.
#6 Best for Sustainability
With packaging made from 50% post-consumer recyclable material and an ultra-luxurious texture, this is not only an eco-friendly choice when it comes to hand cream, but it’s also an indulgent one to treat yourself to. Rich and creamy, and non-greasy, it absorbs easily and is scented with the addictive sweet rose and oud notes of the Scherzo perfume. There’s more; it’s also vegan and includes vitamins B5 and E, as well as shea butter and argan to intensely hydrate skin.
Hand Cream – FAQ
How often should I apply hand cream and when is best to apply it?
Every time you wash them or whenever they feel dry or dehydrated. There is no limit when it comes to hand cream!
How much hand cream should I use?
This does depend on the formula, for richer formulas you may not need as much. Ideally, your cream should absorb quickly, and if you’re getting a lot of excess that takes a while to absorb, the likelihood is you’ve applied too much.
How should I apply hand cream?
To get the most out of your moisturiser, squeeze a little onto the back of your hand, then rub the back of your other hand against it. Next, spread the cream onto your palms, this will ensure the bulk of the product goes onto the outer part of your hands where it’s needed the most.
Discover More
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