by Alexandra Nicole Nuralam
10 Hand Creams You Need for Post-Sanitiser Dryness
Your hands are constantly being exposed to environmental stressors, UV rays, et cetera. With the current situation, most of us are washing on repeat, resulting in dry and chapped hands. There’s only one thought after that: Hand cream. And as with most skincare products, your hand lotion is one of those things you want to be particular about.
“Skin is the first barrier and line of defence, so you don’t want to have dry and cracked hands because that’s just going to let pathogens in.”
Dr Prashant Chanda, Doctor & Director of Noble Nurse
Legitimate concerns include greasy fingers or a lingering scent you might not fully enjoy. We’ve rounded up the best hand creams to pop in your bag now to keep your skin soft, moisturized and smelling good. Find them all, ahead.
Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream
This pick from Clarins is probably one of the richest and most nourishing creams on the market — it can even keep mild eczema at bay. It also absorbs almost instantly and leaves no greasy feeling behind. The moisturising combination of sesame oil, shea butter and Japanese mulberry extract minimises age spots, while myrrh extract works on strengthening the nails.
This Works Perfect Hands Intense Moisturizer
This vegan-certified cream has got to be one of the least greasy, yet most hydrating creams ever. The blend of botanicals including rose, mimosa and musk mallow work on age spots, larch extract tightens more mature, looser skin, while hyaluronic acid locks in moisture.
L’Occitane Hand Cream
L’Occitane’s is a classic. The aluminium tube is so compact and handy, which is why we have it lying everywhere — in our bags, office desks, and on the dresser.
Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve
This heavy-duty, thick, eucalyptus-scented salve packs a punch. A blend of avocado, sesame, and olive oil creates a protective barrier against moisture loss, hydrating even the driest of hands.
Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm
Aesop’s creamy hand balm softens chapped flaky hands while smelling like a soothing candle (thanks to ingredients like mandarin rind, cedar and rosemary). A combination of sweet almond and coconut oil, as well as shea and cocoa butter, leaves skin feeling nourished without any greasiness.
Burt’s Bees Ultimate Care Hand Cream
The best products are those that multi-task. This one from Burt’s Bees locks in moisture with natural baobab, pumpkin seed, and watermelon-seed oils, while gently exfoliating with a natural fruit acid complex.
Henné Blomma Luxury Hand Cream
A blend of essential oils (including argon, apricot, rosehip and avocado) and shea butter, nicely packaged in a chic black tube, great for all you minimalists out there.
Supergoop Forever Young Hand Cream SPF40
Harmful UV rays are everywhere and exposure is inevitable, especially for your hands. This is where the cruelty- and paraben-free pick from Supergoop comes in handy. It boasts SPF40, which is almost unheard of for a hand cream, as well as antioxidants and omegas to target signs of hand ageing.
Byredo Blanche Hand Cream
Probably one of the nicest-smelling ones on the list. The Byredo Blanche Hand Cream (SGD59) was created with founder Ben Gorham’s perception of the colour white in mind. The end result is a clean blend of pink pepper, peony, and a hint of sandalwood that makes your hands smell so good — and gives them smooth, lightweight moisture, too.
Weleda Skin Food
German beauty brand Weleda’s Skin Food (SGD23) is supposedly a dupe for the La Mer Moisturizing Cream. It’s incredibly hydrating and nourishing, chockfull of botanical ingredients like organic pansy and rosemary leaf extracts, calendula, chamomile, as well as a cocktail of oils including sweet almond oil and sunflower seed oil. The best part? You can use it everywhere—face, cuticles, even under your eyes.
