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Original poster

Recommend me a hand cream please

46 replies

ButterflyOfFreedom · 09/03/2015 14:07

I've always had quite dry hands and now with 2 DC I'm washing my hands a whole lot more and with age not really on my side (am 35), I need a beast of hand cream that will sort out my scaly, lizard-like, ageing hands!

So, which are the best hand creams on the market please?

Thank you Smile

OP posts:
Hexiegone · 09/03/2015 14:10

I swear by this stuff.

Mum2Pea · 09/03/2015 14:11

me too.

bodyshop has 40% off online today

TheBabyFacedAssassin · 09/03/2015 14:11

Clarins do a lovely one which is REALLY good.
I am also a big fan of the Soap & Glory hand creams.
If your hands are in a really bad way Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream is your friend!

DrankSangriaInThePark · 09/03/2015 14:12

Aveeno, not sexy, not perfumed, but amazing.
Palmers cocoa butter is good, and my favourite is Tisserand essential oil rich. L'Occitane also lovely for a treat.

iwantgin · 09/03/2015 14:12

Hemp again from me.

It is the best. I have tried loads - had a break from the Hemp Hand Cream a few months ago, as had been gifted some different brands. My nails started to chip, flake and break. Hands weren't quite as soft either. Stocked up on this and within a week there was a difference in hands AND nails.

CocktailQueen · 09/03/2015 14:13

Body shop hemp hand cream - or Clarins! Clarins smells nicer, but the Body Shop one works really well too. or Aveeno.

HelpMeGetOutOfHere · 09/03/2015 14:13

aveeno here too. I like it as it really works. its not greasy and doesn't leave a residue it just sinks into your skin and makes it baby soft.

WellTidy · 09/03/2015 14:15

The hemp one from the body shop is the best I have tried, and I have sampled loads of hand creams.

I also like (but they're not a patch on the hep one) the l'occitane shea butter one and the cath kidston rose one. Aveda hand relief is also nice.

I have loads as I receive them as gifts, and I like to use what I have rather than buying more. But if I was buying one, it would be the body shop hemp one every time.

iwantgin · 09/03/2015 14:16

the Body Shop is going to sell out going by this thread!

FrugalFashionista · 09/03/2015 14:17

I really rate Neutrogena's Norwegian formula but also interested in LRP Cicaplast as Cicaplast face creams are fantastic.

Dermatologist tip: apply liberally in the evening and put on cotton gardening gloves. Much softer hands more quicky.

L'Occitane hand creams smell horrible and leave a greasy residue

WellTidy · 09/03/2015 14:17

My hands are like yours, we're similar ages and I also have 2 DC, OP. Try the hemp one.

MrsCakesPrecognition · 09/03/2015 14:22

My favourite is Clinque's Deep Comfort Hand Cream.
But I Neutrogena too and it is much more affordable.

Do a sugar/salt scrub on your hands to get rid of the dry skin - your hand cream will go further and be more effective if it isn't trying to moisturise a layer of scaly skin first.

blackcurrants · 09/03/2015 14:23

Yep, came on here to talk about body shop hemp hand protector too!
And gloves! gloves outside in the cold, washing up gloves - those are the two most effective ways of protecting your hands from drying out. I know this, but do I manage it? Sometimes...

I also wear tight cotton gloves overnight after slathering the stuff on. I bought them at the body shop FOREVER ago, and I feel silly doing it, but it absolutely works when nothing else does. And for context, during the winter my hands get dry and then the skin around my nails cracks and it's extremely sore. Only the bed-gloves really fixes the problem.

Hobby2014 · 09/03/2015 14:35

Is the hemp cream really oily does any one know? Does it absorb well? I hate that feeling of oily hands after they've been moisturised.

DigApony · 09/03/2015 14:43

I was you 2 months ago, I bought the hemp cream and whilst it is brilliant it wasn't enough for me. My saviour was o'keefes working hand cream, unsure how to link but its on amazon. Fantastic stuff and my hands were bleeding even on the palms with the flaky skin spreading up my wrists. Now they are soft with no splits. It's not oily and really not like a cream you don't need much it just rubs straight in and it is very cheap for quite a large tub.

LakeFlyPie · 09/03/2015 14:50

Aldi's hand cream contains 5% urea and has worked better for me than the many others I've tried over the years

Amarena · 09/03/2015 14:52

I bought a bottle of Neom hand lotion in TK Maax the other week - Sicilian lemon and fresh basil. Oh my, it is just gorgeous. My hands are the softest they have ever been and the scent is divine.

Completely love it!

Carpaccio · 09/03/2015 14:59

I really like La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Mains. It just works.
Avene Cold Cream hand cream is also very effective, but I find the smell a bit unpleasant.
My dad has psoriasis on his hands and he really likes these two hand creams.

Other nice ones are Nuxe Reve de Miel and the L'Occitane ones. They are heavily scented though and are more expensive.

I've had hand creams from Dior and Clarins and they aren't very effective at all.
The hemp one from Body Shop works well, but the smell makes me feel ill. They do have testers in the shop so you can smell it before buying - I might just be quite sensitive :)

PeasPleaseThankyou · 09/03/2015 15:09

Another vote for the body shop hemp hand cream. It sorted my dry hands right out (constant washing here too with 2 dcs) Smile

BallroomWithNoBalls · 09/03/2015 15:15

I use Nutrogena for overnight, keep it next to my bed so I remember to put it on.

In the day I have a big squeezy one of Nutrogena but the quick absorbing version. Use whenever I wash my hands, which seems to be every 5 mins looking after preschoolers!

And out and about I have treat / small / nice smelling ones in my bag - my DH bought me a set of 3 different Neal's Yard ones for my birthday and they don't only smell amazing and feel luxe, they work really well too. Normally a fan of Loccitane ones but these are equally good, similar consistency and you only need a little so they last a long time.

Oh look they are on offer, well done DH haha

Silverjohnleggedit · 09/03/2015 15:15

Aveeno, I have it in every room in the house, thankfully no strong scent.

BallroomWithNoBalls · 09/03/2015 15:17

Actually that's a great price for them as they are decent sized tubes unlike the stingy Loccitane ones. Recommend.

redroses86 · 09/03/2015 15:46

I am a hand cream hoarder, I have so many in every room and every handbag, it's an addiction.
The best one ever is Khiels Ultimate Hand Salve, it's pricey but you only need a little bit and the tube is big enough to last a long time. I also use a bit on chapped lips and it's fab. Khiels are amazing at giving free samples so if you have a counter nearby then pop along and they'll give you some to try.
I also recently tried Aldi's latest Special Buy which is a handcream with Argan oil, cheap but amazing, my hands felt softer instantly. I'm sure it was less than £1.50. Worth stocking up!

YoniMitchell · 09/03/2015 15:51

I have really dry hands with snaggly cuticles that I pick at when they get bad and I swear by Eucerin hand cream with 5% urea. It instantly helps soften my hands and helps keep my nails in good nick. It's far from a stylish tube to have in your bag, but I've given up on all of the lovely other brands since I tried this (on the reco of another MN-er).

Pancakeflipper · 09/03/2015 15:51

Another vote for Hemp from the Body Shop. I know farmers that use it. A good load on every night improves my dry hands vastly.

I like Clarins to make my nails grow quickly.