You’re welcome to 2023! now that the festive saga is over, life is back to normal and everyone is back to work. What are those cult-find beauty products you need to survive the winter work life? I believe it’s to start with hand creams.
Hand creams are a must-have for everyone this dry season because as we juggle work life, home life, and social life, it’s the beauty product we’ll keep reaching out for every now and then. Hand creams are heavy cream products specially made for the hands, they can be used to soften and moisturise dry and cracked hands. Hand creams are most of the time made with a higher percentage of oil compared to water which is what makes them have high viscosity. They’re great for the winter season when skin is susceptible to dryness, and if there’s any part of the body we use most of the time, are the hands, from hand washing, cleaning to typing, up and down temperature, writing, holding on to handrails, what about the use of hand sanitiser, a must in this covid threat lifestyle? e.t.c. which is why consistent hydration through moisturisers like hand creams is very important to protect and treat dry skin woes on the hands.
As harmless as dry hands can be in the winter season, don’t be surprised at what dry skin can lead to when not taken care of, from itchiness, eczema, soreness, patched cuticles, dry and weak nails, etc. This is why investing in a good hand cream this winter season is a must.
When looking for a good hand cream, what should you look out for? An excellent formula that contains both emollients and humectants. Emollients are moisturising agents like jojoba oil, mango butter, shea butter, squalane oil, etc, while humectants are hydrators like hyaluronic acid, honey, salicylic acid, glycerin, etc. Humectants are great for binding and attracting moisture to the skin, while Emollients prevent moisture loss by helping to seal in the moisture gained.
A good hand cream must also contain a protective agent in its formula, I’m talking about antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, and carotenoids. Antioxidants are great in helping to protect the skin’s surface from oxidative damage caused by free radicals and environmental aggressors like UV rays and pollution. They are also great anti-aging agents.
Thanks to innovation, good potent hand creams now come in a variety of formulas, some contain sunscreens to protect your hands from sun damage, some contain anti-aging properties to prevent and treat wrinkles and fine lines, while some come in a gel-cream/balmy formula for sensitive dry hands, some also contain actives and soothers for ragged cuticles and brittled nails.
When it comes to application, a pea size or two is enough depending on your needs, but if you ask me personally, I will say use it lavishly because your skin needs it. Moreso, when applying, ensure the cream covers up to your nails so you can extend the benefits to the cuticles and nails.
Finally, if I’m going to be honest with you a good scented hand cream makes the mid-day beauty pick me up a ‘Woo Saar!’ moment. A good scented hand cream, either gentle or heavy (the options are all to you) is a good way to pamper your hands even on stressful days. Nonetheless, for the picky ones who are very sensitive to fragrance, there’re non-scented ones for you too. Invest in one for your work desk, handbag, bedside, bathroom, and kitchen worktop and you’ll find out how hand creams are the most hardworking beauty products in your beauty arsenal.
These being said, discover the best hand creams on the market right now:
AESOP
Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm 75ml
£25.00
HELLO SUNDAY
The One For Your Hands – Hand Cream SPF 30
£9.00
AVENE
Cicalfate Restorative Hand Cream for Very Dry Cracked Hands 100ml
£10.85
HUDA BEAUTY
Kayali Vanilla | 28 Hand Crem 28g
£30.00
ALGENIST
Genius Liquid Collagen Hand Cream 50ml
£36.00
AESOP
Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm 500ml
£75.00
NURSEM
Caring Hand Cream Unfragranced 300ml
£20.00
GROWN ALCHEMIST
Anti-Bacterial Hand Cream 65ml
Now £15.20 Was £19.00
CERAVE
Reparative Hand Cream
£6.50
BYREDO
Rose hand cream 100ml
£44.00
VERDEN
D’Orangerie hand and body balm 500ml
£70.00
L’OCCITANE
Shea Butter Hand Cream 150ml
Now £19.80 Was £22.00