When was the last time you used anything more than a reluctant, pragmatic quick dab of cream to look after your hands? And then expect it to work on nails, cuticles, sun spots, cracked skin, crepey and wrinkled knuckles… I used to do the same thing, but there are products that are just as effective for your hands as there are for your face — and they are just as affordable.
1. The sun spot solution
Eucerin Anti-Pigment Skin Tone Perfecting Body Cream
Beiersdorf, the company that owns Eucerin and Nivea, has a patented ingredient proven to tackle sun spots, so if your hands are starting to show the signs of a misspent sunny youth, join the queue behind me and put this on your shopping list. Lightweight and easily absorbed, apply it morning and night and then slather your hands in SPF next time you go out in the sun. £18; boots.com
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2. The handy SPF
Do you need a special SPF for your hands? Not really, but this is small enough to carry around to reapply, light enough not to leave hands sticky and a genuine pleasure to use during the day to replace your usual daytime hand cream. £7.50; lookfantastic.com3. The nail strengthener
If the winter weather or, to be brutally frank, your local nail bars have taken their toll on your nails, give them a break and apply this every day for 14 days. It has an instant soft pink cosmetic effect that makes dry, cracked and split nails look better but also helps hydrate and remineralise them. If your nails are always weak, you can use this as a base coat under any other polish. £15.99; superdrug.com
4. The super serum
This is a face serum but skin is skin, it is great value for money and comes in a super-moisturising oily base, so why not use it on your hands at night to tackle crepey skin? Search retinol hand creams and you won’t find one at this gold-standard strength that is better value for money. £8.50; spacenk.com
5. The power mask
These are your SOS dry-hand emergency gloves. Simply put them on, tape them at the wrists and sleep in them. They work overnight by trapping water onto the skin and supplying lots of emollients and oils. Think of these as an impregnated sleep wrapping mask, but for your extremities (there are feet versions too). £6.59; uk.iherb.com
6. The gentle cleanser
Use the last drop of your designer handwash that looks good but probably strips your skin, then refill the bottle with this pH-balanced, super-gentle skin cleanser that leaves hands moisturised and clean. Perfection at a bargain-basement price, as this refill is a hefty 500ml that will last ages. £1.80; boots.com
7. The flights and festivals fundamental
If you are intending to travel this summer and stay anywhere away from hot and cold running water, these will be essential. Perfect for flying, picnics, festivals, outdoor concerts and camping, they are ideal for your hands but can be used anywhere (you get my gist). £1.40 for 12; boots.com and supermarkets
8. The cracked-skin caretaker
This rich cream does more than simply moisturise. It repairs your hands’ barrier function and softens really dry, cracked and wrinkly skin while you sleep. At the same time, the lactic acid gently exfoliates dry, ashy dead skin and immediately plumps fine lines and crepiness. £16; ameliorate.com
9. The beauty balm
This use-everywhere balm from Jones Road (Bobbi Brown’s newish brand) is formulated for your face, but it is much better on the body for sudden patches of dry skin. It comes in a handy push-up stick that can be secreted in the bottom of a handbag, ready to be applied anywhere that is crinkled, cracked and craving some moisture. £36; jonesroadbeauty.com
10. The cuticle custodian
The mini sister to the bestselling cult Shea Butter hand cream is perfect on the go for dry, torn or sore cuticle repair. It instantly soothes, seals off from the air and helps heal. What’s more, it really sinks in — no oil slick left behind after a few minutes — so you can get on with life straight away. £12.80; lookfantastic.com
