Best Hand Creams - A Review of 6 Top Products
There is nothing I hate more than dry hands. Maybe I’m being a little dramatic here; I’m not talking scaly, crusted or cracked skin - just tight and ‘squeaky’ hands.
I think this is where my skin obsession truly began. Since my early 20s I have consistently lugged around tubs, tubes, jars and pots of lotion because I hate, hate, hate dry hands.
I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I don’t have super dry skin anywhere on my body but I seem to be particularly hard on my hands (in general). Nail polish – even when done professionally – lasts a mere 24 hours. And just regular ol’ hand washing (pre-Covid) seems to suck all the moisture out of them. I am not exaggerating when I say I apply lotion a minimum of 15 times per day. It sounds obsessive but over the course of 11 hours it’s actually not that bad.
Of course Corona virus has made this even worse, so I decided to amp up my search the perfect hand companion. I have tested the following 6 formulas over the last 6 weeks to get a clear view on which was best for my delicate digits. All of these have incredible reviews (some even awards) and all contain ingredients that should absolutely hit the mark.
Avéne Cold Cream Concentrated Hand Cream
Rich in cold cream, it’s specifically recommended for dry or damaged hands (like me). It contains glycerin and Avéne’s thermal spring water to soothe and soften skin + sucralfate to protect and repair. The effects should last through 5 hand washings. Hogwash.
I did not like this cream. So much so, it was abandoned while out and about. I don’t know if it’s the beeswax, but the gel formula didn’t seem to absorb. It sort of sat on my skin. It reminds me of Norwegian Formula – a cult classic, no doubt about it – but another consistency I just do like. Give me a thick cream any day!
Score: 2/10
Avene Hand Cream
L’Occitane Almond Delicious Hands
Enriched with almond milk, oil and proteins this non-greasy formula softens and smooth’s the skin’s texture. It also contains shea butter, which is a plus. However, I don’t love it (which I should). I sort of like it.
I seem to have a few of these kicking around the house because every time I go home to the US, I have to emergency-buy a hand cream at the airport.
[Sidebar] I see long-haul trips as an opportunity for ‘spa moments’. I have a kit with masks, serums, oils and mists to self-indulge while stuck in a seat for 12 hours (yes, my daughters are horrified). One key component is hand cream. Yet I somehow seem to forget this every time.
So I keep buying this brand and then throw in the drawer when I get back. I guess that indicates how much I like it.
Score: 4/10
L’Occitane
UK https://amzn.to/3fUabRR US https://bit.ly/3ali7KB
Cerave Reparative Hand Cream
Developed with dermatologists, this cream is all about protecting the skin’s natural barrier. That’s where ceramides come in. They are lipids in the skin that retain moisture and support the proper function of the skin’s barrier (which is to battle pollutants). Without the proper ratio of ceramides, our skin becomes compromised, leading to dryness and tightness.
I love ceramides and Cerave creates products with ceramides in spades. In fact all of their products do, which is why I also use their cleansers and moisturisers. It also contains hyaluronic acid, which is the gold standard for retaining moisture.
This was has been in my handbag the last 3 or 4 weeks, so that’s a good indicator of how much I like it. This is a great product, at a great price. It sinks in quickly and does the job nicely. You absolutely cannot go wrong here. And while it may not seem like 6 out of 10 is a good score, it is. The only reason it doesn’t score higher as I personally prefer something richer and slightly more luxurious.
Score: 6/10
Cerave Reparative Cream
La Roche Posay Lipikar Xerand Hand Repair Cream
I liked this more than I thought it would. I’m a fan of La Roche Posay for sure, and this line in particular – I also use the body cream – but I thought it would be more like Cerave. Turns out it slightly richer, which is where I tend to lean. While it absorbs quickly, the impact is longer-lasting, which means I don’t have to reapply as often.
It’s enriched with shea butter (a fav), allantoin (a naturally-occuring skin protectant know for soothing skin) and LRP’s own thermal spring water.
This made its way to the handbag and Cerave is now by the bed, so it’s up a notch.
Score: 7/10
LRP Lipikar Hand cream
Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment
I have a love/hate relationship with this product. I’ve purchased it for years - usually it’s the one in the car - so love clearly wins out. But I hate the scent. I think it’s a marmite kind of thing– you love it or hate it. The amount of reviews praising the scent is unreal.
It’s a light but super-moisturising cream made with sesame oil and fortifying Japanese Mulberry, which apparently protects against chapping and irritation. It does wonderful things for my hands, cuticles and even nails. It feels luxurious yet still remains light. I don’t know how they do it. This current lives on the desk at my office, which means I use it every day, multiple times per day. I apply and then hold my nose. Dear Clarins, please remove the scent. Then it would be a 9 out of 10.
Score: 7/10
Clarins Hand & Nail
Aveda Hand Relief
This has been my favourite for-ever. This is a rich hand cream without being greasy (not that it would be bother me, actually). It contains andiroba oil, which soothes very dry skin and also reduces fine lines and wrinkles (hurrah says the 49-year old). I love the scent, too.
I don’t know why it isn’t a 10 out of 10. Maybe it’s the serial experimenter in me that says there has to be something I just haven’t met it yet.
Score: 9/10
Avena
UK https://amzn.to/3aow4qY US https://bit.ly/2DXcoys
So what I would love is to hear from you. What do you think the lotions above? What am I missing? What’s your holy grail hand cream? I’m dying to find my 10 out 10 so please let me know!
