Ouch....my hands are red raw

[Risette]

I've become a hand washing freak since I had my baby, and with the cold weather my hands are now cracked and sore.

I've tried a couple of hand creams but still no improvement. Any tips for a good cream?

Neutrogena one - says use a little dab on the pack but I slather it on before bed

Lush tiny hands - use it before you go to bed at night. In the day I use nivea hydrating hand cream that I just picked up in the supermarket. They're the only things working on my hands since becoming a pregnant, dog-owning handwash addict!

Body shop Hemp hand cream and handwash - a bit herby smelling but does the job. Otherwise L'Occitane Shea butter cream, or any Lush hand cream excellent too

Definitely invest in a good hand wash first. If you find a chemical free - particularly an SLS free hand wash, your hands won't get so dried out in the first place and you'll not need as much cream. My hubby's hands have transformed since we got the Neal's Yard hand wash in the kitchen. He used to have terrible hacks and hated hand cream.
Equally, try to find a non-mineral oil based hand cream so the skin can truly absorb it. Mineral oils tend to sit on the skin and make the skin think that it's moist, which then results in the skin stopping it's own moisture production and getting drier in the process. Most organic makes are plant oil based...and in fact, Olive oil is gorgeous to use on really dry hands...provided you don't have to pick up a baby shortly after applying!

Sounds like a bit of contact dermatitis, the sort of thing I had as a junior in a salon. We used to use Savlon Barrier Cream, cheap at £2.72. Also those anti bac soaps will make your hands sore, they are very stripping.

Body Shop Hemp cream is the only thing that works for me. The smell is quite earthy/woody, but I don't care because it works.

Aqueous cream is amazing can get a big tub from places like home bargains I also use it on my lo. It's really moisturising I cover my hands in it before bed and they are lovely and soft in the morning xxx

As well as a good handcream, make sure you always wear gloves when you go out as I find the cold weather makes a huge difference.

Thanks everyone. Some great advice here. Will try out something new.

It's true about the anti-bac stripping your hands. My washing up liquid is also anti-bac so I have been wearing glove

Stop using useless antibac stuff - no need for it; just good marketing .

Use moisturising soap, Dove is ok if you don't have problems with perfumes.
Dry hands very carefully after each contact with water including under rings etc.
Put moisturiser on every time you've washed your hand. What moisturiser you use is less important than that you use one frequently. Find something you like and use it all the time.
You can get white cotton gloves from chemists: put moisturiser on thickly at bedtime, gloves on top and go to bed.

As others have said, wear gloves for washing up etc, and warm gloves for going out.

Aqueous cream is now only recommended as a soap substitute and not a moisturiser. Try Aveeno, available in Boots and great for those who can't use E45 etc due to the lanolin content

I swear by Kiehls Ultimate strength hand salve. It is quite expensive but lasts ages, so worth the investment.

I had really bad problems with dry hands in the winter a few years ago and the doctor gave me diprobase on prescription. I got a huge tub of it and it's lasted me ever since. I put it on at night and occasionally during the day and it's great stuff - plus it's free as on prescription!

Flexitol hand balm for very dry skin (at Boots). Amazing. The cuticle cream for ragged cuticles is also a miracle worker.

I had the same problem but my hands are do much better good 'ol simple soap - plus it's cheaper too!

Hemp hand cream isn't too greasy so you can use it all day... I love Burts bees but they take a while to sink in so when I have some I just use it at night

I second the neutrogena Norwegian formula slathered on at night time as a first aid type of thing till deep sore cracks have gone and also, EVERY time you wash your hands you can use a lighter one that's easily absorbed, I use a cheap Nivea one that is lovely, doesn't feel sticky.

And yes, def no antibacterial hand wash, u just don't need it. Just plain soap and water, dry, then hand cream.

I'm ditching the anti-bacterial handwash as this has definitely stripped my hands.

i have just bought the flexitol hand balm and its the best i've used, i also think using anti bac/cheap handwash is no good for my hands too harsh.

After 2 babies in fairly quick succession, I have found Lidl antibac handwash is very good and not too drying. Add in Boots Botanics overnight hand cream (even though it ain't on for more than 4 hours at a stretch) is also v.good. The anti-bac gels are a killer tho.

Nivea rescue and care or nuetrogena foot cream used on hands is very good. Didn't think much of L'occitane. Used it last night. Very disappointed with it

Use any of the hand creams suggested above, slather it on, then put on rubber gloves and dunk your hands in a bowl of hot water. The heat will kind of seal more moisture in!
Found this out by accident when washing up last winter!