Neutrogena
Norwegian
Hand
Cream
The Body Shop
Hemp
Cream
Eucerin
Intensive Hand
Cream
L’Occitane Shea
Butter
Cream
Cetaphil Intensive Moisturizing Cream
Ahava Mineral
Hand
Cream
Buckler's Chapped
Skin
Remedy
Burt's
Bees
Beeswax &Banana
Aveda
Hand
Relief
La Mer
The
Hand Treatment
Every lady (or gentleman, why not) wants smooth skin and the hands are a business card for a person. They should be taken care of, the nails should be clean, the skin hydrated. It can be difficult to achieve this, especially for some of us. We all want that silk touch on our skin, but instead, we get sandy and harsh feeling when we feel our hands.
I think that there are a lot of us with the same problem. When the temperature goes down, the skin on my hands becomes very dry, even with cracks. Sometimes, the cracks in my skin hurt so much, there is even blood. It’s very bad! I began thinking what I am doing wrong.
First on my list, there is dehydration. I don’t drink enough water and of course, my poor skin manages with what it gets. So, I cannot stress this enough, drink water! Second, I thought about the substances that touch my hands, such as dish detergent. Maybe most of you use gloves, but I for instance, for a long period of time, did not, because I live alone and I have a few dishes to do, so I was lazy. And third, I began using very good moisturizers. Some of them I use during the day, some of them, I use them during the night, with cotton gloves on.
I will share with you some of my creams that I use that actually work and if you have any more ideas, I am glad to hear them!
1. Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream
The Neutrogena Hand Cream is one of the best hand creams on the market, being able to quickly and effectively deliver relief for dry hands (especially in the winter). Your hands will feel better after just one use.
The cream was inspired by the Norwegian fisherman, which as you know, have to endure quite a harsh environment, being close to the north pole, so, in order to moisturize their dry skin, they came up with a special cocktail, rich in glycerin that immediately helped the dry skin to recover. Later, the scientists reused the same method and have created the Neutrogena Hand Cream.
Before you apply it on the hands, the Neutrogena Hand Cream has a thick, jelly-like appearance and afterwards, it gains the cream aspect. The cream will immediately be absorbed by the skin (it doesn’t leave a greasy feel or any residue behind) and your hands will feel less dry, softer and smoother even after several washes (thanks to its silicone content which helps retain moisture).
So,if you’re looking for a great hand cream, rich in glycerin, hypoallergenic, with a very subtle fragrance, then the Neutrogena Hand Cream is the best choice.
Note: It also works great with people with urticaria, dermatitis, eczema, which won’t cure, but will keep the area moisturized and calm until the flares go away.
2. The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector
The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector is a good, long term solution for helping with dry skin (especially on hands) and restoring its softness. Like the name says, the cream makes use of hemp seed oil, known around the world (especially in the Eastern culture) as a source of high-quality nutrients. It’s rich in protein, omega 6 and omega 3, insoluble fibber, Vitamin E antioxidants, polyunsaturated fatty acids and minerals.
Besides the hemp oil, the Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector also uses Glycerin (moisturizer), Allantoin (anti-irritant), Organic beeswax (seals the moisture) and Pethenol (reduces nail flaking).
The cream doesn’t feel heavy, although it has a rather thick consistency (with a green tint), it gets relatively quickly absorbed by the skin (1-2 minutes for full absorption) and doesn’t leave any residue or a greasy feel after applying. ALthough it is recommended to be used after every wash, I found it to be better applied before bed. I apply generously (although you don’t need to use that much) before bed and after I wake up, in the morning, my hands feel softer and moisturized.
Although we found the Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector to be a great hand cream, there are a few shortcomings. First of all, not everybody may like how it smells, it is minty, but not in a refreshing way, more like medicinal. Some liked it, others found it overwhelming, so if you’re bothered by the smell, you could use a pair of gloves (during nigh-time). Another unpleasant aspect is the packaging. It is a metallic tube, that before reaching the end of its use, has a bad habit of cracking, so a lot of cream will we wasted.
Other than that, I had a very pleasant experience using this cream, especially during winter.
Note: Similarly to Neutrogena, the The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector also helps calm the hand skin if you have a rash or any other skin condition and you can also use it for calloused feet (especially if you run a lot).
3. Eucerin Intensive Repair Extra-Enriched Hand Creme
The Eucerin Intensive Repair Extra-Enriched Creme was developed by a German company, created over 100 years ago, specialized in body and face care products. The main ingredients are Urea (a humectant that works as a natural exfoliant, helping in developing a soft skin and balanced moisture levels) and Lactate (a potent moisturizer).
For a person who constantly suffers from dry hands, a good hand cream will become an essential part of their life. And Eucerin Intensive Repair delivers. The cream has a smooth, balm-like consistency and even if you use it in excess, it never leaves your hand greasy. After you softly rub the cream on the skin, it gets absorbed quickly and will provide a good, lasting moisturisation.
Eucerin will repair dry hands, cuticles and your skin will be kept hydrated even after six hours after use. Also, since we talked about the The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector unpleasant smell, know that Eucerin is fragrance free (although I would have preferred if that the lotion was softly scented).
Because the Eucerin contains alpha hydroxy acid, it is recommended that you also use a good sunscreen, because the acid increases the skin sensitivity to sun and you may easily get a sunburn. So, it’s important to wear extra protection and be extra cautious with sun exposure, during the time you use this cream (or just use it before going to bed).
Note: Even if your skin is already heavily strained, Eucerin will provide a certain level of relief and will protect the skin from further damages. Also, know that Eucerin Intensive Repair Extra-Enriched Creme contains parabens.
4. L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream
L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream is quite the sensation and it rises up to the hype because it uses the incredible shea butter, an ingredient known and praised around the world as a medicinal ointment, having emollient, humectant and anti-inflammatory proprieties and also as having sun-blocking capacity, but mostly, for the way it treats and protects the skin.
Note: Originally, shea butter was used by African women to protect their skin from the harsh environment of Africa, helping with both the ultraviolet rays from sun and with the dryness.
Besides shea butter, L’Occitane uses marshmallow root, honey, vitamin E and coconut oil.
I love the 1 ounce size, simply because it’s travel-friendly, you don’t have too worry if you travel by plane, you can just tuck it in your purse and use it when needed. And you don’t need a lot to moisturize your hands, only a small bulb should be enough. I absolutely love how quickly it dries down, I apply it on my skin and can quickly resume whatever I was doing (some creams may be better used before night time, simply because they take a longer time to dry).
L’Occitane does have a heavier consistency (almost like a paste), but it’s actually quite lightweight, it doesn’t leave your hands all greasy after you use it and you are left with your hands smooth and soft for hours. I enjoyed a lot the floral scent, it smells better than a lot of hand creams (some of them are quite overwhelming).
Similarly to Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector, the packaging is not the best. The aluminium tube will get really bad after you use it a lot and will crack, meaning some of the cream will leak out (although the package is still a bit more resistant than the 5.2 oz tube). Also, you have to know that L’Occitane uses alcohol, which can be the reason why it’s absorbed by the skin so quickly.
5. Cetaphil Intensive Moisturizing Cream
Cetaphil Intensive Moisturizing Cream is a product from the Galderma Laboratories skin care line of products and is a rather intense skin moisturizer (works great with severely dry skin). On the market, you can also find the Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream, without the Intensive in the product name, but we recommend that you use the Cetaphil Intensive Moisturizing Cream because it includes the highly praised around the world, Shea Butter within its key ingredients, which is a great, natural, long-lasting moisturizer for damaged skin.
Besides shea butter, it seems that Cetaphil also offers some sunscreen protection, because of a certain amount of ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (if you have very sensitive skin it’s best to try it out before using it on large portions of you body).
Cetaphil Intensive Moisturizing Cream should be used on your hands, feet, elbows and knees and it has a calming effect on skin conditions, such as eczema and dermatitis. It works great during flare-ups, because as you know, the skin tends to get highly irritated and dry and you need a high-quality moisturizer when this happens.
The cream texture isn’t really soft and silky, it’s actually quite thick, but it blends in nicely after your rub it on your skin. Usually, I apply it before going to bed and after I get out of the shower, so I get to have a soft skin all day long. If you’re allergic or have a sensitive nose, you don’t have to worry about the smell. The Cetaphil Intensive Moisturizing Cream has a very light scent that fades away immediately, so it’s basically fragrance-free.
Note: The cream can be used on the face, depending on your skin type, so test before applying on a larger area. It can also do wonders to your lips.
6. Ahava Mineral Hand Cream
The Ahava Mineral Hand Cream is an Israeli product, rich in minerals and is a great moisturizer. It protects your hands against harsh environments (it can almost instantly repair your damaged skin), leaving your hands soft and nourished. One of its main ingredients is dead sea water. If you’re not familiar with the Dead Sea, know that it’s considered the largest natural spa on earth. The water has a heavy mineral concentration (Calcium, Magnesium, Sulfate, Potassium and Bromide) believed to be able to help with a lot of skin conditions, like psoriasis or eczema.
Besides dead sea water, another main ingredient is the Witch Hazel extract, which has a lot of healing proprieties and is a powerful antioxidant, delivering a revitalizing effect. There also the Allantoin, a natural chemical compound which acts as an skin protector and relieves irritations.
One important thing that you should know is that this is not really a day cream as it doesn’t contain sunscreen, so it’s better if you use it before bed. After you softly rub it on your skin, it doesn’t feel heavy or greasy, leaving no residues and it made my hands feel soft and properly moisturized. It is quickly absorbed in and you can right away resume whatever work you were doing previously. And you hands will feel a lot better.
The cream smells great, having a floral fragrance. The problem is that some persons with allergic reactions or with a sensitive nose, may not like the strong floral scent. So, if you can’t handle the smell, but enjoy the effects of Ahava Mineral Hand Cream, you can use some gloves (I had the same problem with The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector and this helped during the night).
7. Buckler’s Chapped Skin Remedy
Buckler’s Chapped Skin Remedy is one of the first products that was delivered by Buckler’s Remedy (from 2010). One of the cream’s main characteristics is that it’s Paraben and Petroleum free (it’s all natural, vegan certified, so no harsh chemicals are included). Other than that, Buckler’s Chapped Skin Remedy is rich in nutrients such as Chamomile extracts (calms irritations), Soybean Oil, Sunflower Oil, Shea butter (one of the best moisturizers), Vitamin E (a great antioxidant) and Aloe juice (soothes irritated skin).
The Buckler’s Chapped Skin Remedy works really great, especially in the colder climates or during the winter. You have to turn on the heater and the air will get dry and the first one to suffer will be your skin. That’s why it’s important to apply a good skin cream, as I’m sure nobody likes the sensation of dry skin sensation, where small patches peel off.
The cream texture is really nice, as it’s not oily, it has a white colour, a thick consistency and you only have to apply a little (pea-sized bulb) to achieve results. The cream gets absorbed very quick and doesn’t leave any greasy trails or residue behind, allowing you to return to doing your work immediately. Another important aspect is that it lacks fragrance, which is a good thing for allergic people, although a light scent could have been a good choice.
We’ve seen some really annoying aluminium tubes used for hand creams that use to crack and spill out content everywhere. It seems that Buckler also decided to go with an aluminium packaging, but it’s a lot different, as they used a better quality and so far, the tube is still intact.
Note: Thanks to some of its ingredients, I have noticed that Buckler’s Chapped Skin Remedy not only protected my skin, but it also repaired some of the damages (like cracks).
8. Burt’s Bees Beeswax and Banana Hand Cream
Burt’s Bees Beeswax & Banana Hand Cream is a rather popular cream, specifically made to help you seal and protect your skin from harsh weather. Among its main ingredients, Burt’s Bees Beeswax & Banana Hand Cream uses Aloe Vera, which is a great treatment for skin burns or eczema. I have used Aloe Vera many times to heal my stove burns and it also did very well as an anti-inflammatory treatment. There’s also a sweet almond oil, that softens chapped skin and to seal the moisture and nourish your skin, Burt’s Bees Beeswax & Banana Hand Cream uses beeswax and banana extracts.
The cream has a very thick consistency, with almost a wax-like feel and after you apply the cream, it softens using your body heat and gets absorbed thoroughly, leaving your hands moisturized and soft, but it doesn’t leave you with a greasy feel, I mean nobody likes to leave trails of cream on all the things they touch. Because it takes quite some time to sink in (15-20 minutes), I wouldn’t recommend using it during the day, it’s better if you use this cream right before going to bed. Afterwards it’s preferably to put some gloves on your mittens, especially if you’re not comfortable with the smell.
It’s not like it smells bad, but it’s a strong banana scent and some people may dislike it. I actually got hungry while smelling the cream inside the small urn, but once on my skin, it didn’t really have the same feel, gaining some sort of artificial scent (check it before you purchase it).
I have used this cream on my hands and feet for a while and I got really good results, but I didn’t like the packaging as it’s not travel-friendly. You get a small jar made of glass, that’s rather heavy.
9. Aveda Hand Relief Moisturizing Cream
Your hands are important in both functionality and aspect and it can tell a lot about a person: what do they work, what disease do they have and, most importantly, if they take care of their hands. Aveda Hand Relief offers a solution to people with cracked and dry skin on their hands (also works for feet and elbows). One of its main ingredients is the licorice (also known as Glycyrrhiza glabra). The licorice root is a natural supplement used for medicinal purposes, as it can help reducing inflammation, it contains anti-depressant compounds and above all, it is a natural treatment for eczema or psoriasis (it also behaves as a great anti-irritant). Besides licorice, Avenda is also rich in eucalyptus, lavender and molasses, which greatly improve the skin hydration.
Aveda Hand Relief has a light citrus fragrance, that I liked very much. It gives me that fresh feeling and helps me get pumped up, so I’m ready to run in the morning. I usually use it after I shower, but even during the day, if I feel the need to. The cream has a very thick consistency, it feels creamy when applied on the skin and is very quickly absorbed (it won’t take more than 2-3 minutes). Another important fact is that it doesn’t feel heavy, nor it leaves any greasy trails afterwards. The cream tube is rather tiny and easy to carry around, so you don’t have to worry about it when you travel, just put it into your purse and you can use it when you need it.
Note: Because Aveda Hand Relief contains lactic acid, a popular alpha hydroxy acid, I recommend that you try to avoid sun-exposure after use. To make it easier, just use it before bed, a small bulb should be enough to moisturize a larger area.
10. La Mer The Hand Treatment
Products from La Mer have always attracted the attention of celebrities and the hand cream La Mer The Hand Treatment was something that caught my eye. It has a thick consistency, at the same time silky and smooth, so it’s not really a lightweight cream. It also doesn’t leave any greasy trails or residues (although it feels greasy for a about a minute before being fully absorbed by the skin). If you work in an environment where you have to wash your hands several time using harsh soaps, it’s a great relief for dry hands and it doesn’t irritate the skin.
Among its main ingredients I name the meadowfoam seed oil (acts as a great skin softener and offers protection to unpleasant weather effects), grape-seed extract (improves blood circulation and has antioxidant properties), Ginko Bilboa leaf extract (great for blood flow) and caffeine (that may temporarily reduce swelling).
I applied it before bedtime and in the morning I had my hands a lot softer, but although it works great, unfortunately, it doesn’t have a lasting effect. The soothing feeling don’t last after washing your hands.
La Mer The Hand Treatment is not fragrance-free, it has a pleasant soft scent that won’t disturb people with sensitive nose.
PLEASE LET ME KNOW, IN THE COMMENT SECTION, HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH ANY OF THESE CREAMS!