Hand Creams

There are some amazing inexpensive hand creams on the market which help protect and nourish your hands. Depending on the condition of your hands, here are the ones I rate and use regularly:

• Aveeno Hand Cream with Colloidal Oatmeal- it is great for people with normal skin who need a cream for general maintenance. It absorbs quickly and leaves hands soft and moisturised for hours. I love it as a summer hand cream as it is less heavy than other hand creams. 

• Garnier Handrepair Intensive Restroting Hand Cream- I love this stuff and have been using it for years now. It contains Maple Sap and Glycerin which instantly soothe and help restore dry chapped hands. I used to have a painful crack reappear on one on my fingers every winter. This hand cream has helped sort it out for good. Although it is rich, once applied is sinks in quickly and leaves no greasiness on the hands.

• Palmer's Shea Butter Formula Concentrated Cream with Vitamin E- I have been using it for the last few months and it is and excellent option for the colder part of the year, or for people who have their hands in water repeatedly throughout the day. It is great for any area with dry skin, like elbow, knees and feet. Easily absorbed, it is a joy to use.

• Eucerin Aquaphor Soothing Skin Balm- this is an amazing gentle and effective product for people with dry sensitive and eczema prone skin. It is the most emollient out of the all chosen products and creates a protective barrier over the skin to allow it to heal. It is a great versatile product that can be used for anything from cracked hands, lips, elbows etc. I love applying it last thing at night.

It is worth pointing out that an SPF cream applied at the beginning of the day and once again in the afternoon is essential for keeping your hands in great condition. Sun exposure is the main factor that causes skin ageing and your hands should not be ignored. I tend to apply the same SPF I use on my face onto my hands.