Our hands do so much throughout the day that it’s only fair we give them some tender loving care. 
To ensure you get the best out of hand products we’ve put together a guide on what to look out for when picking a hand cream. Dry, chapped hands are unbearable all year round and things just get worse as we get older, so you want to ensure you’re looking out for some key ingredients. Creams with silicones and humectants will nourish and coat, but won’t leave a greasy, sticky finish. The silicone will moisturise, while humectant formulas will ensure the water content on the outer layer of your skin stays high to prevent cracking and soreness. Retinol is another ingredient that you may link to face creams and other types of beauty products. Your hands are prone to dark spots too so don’t rule it out when you see it listed in a hand product. Honey and coconut oil, along with aloe vera, are all naturally moisturising and calming to skin. If the dryness is causing discomfort you’ll find relief in these ingredients, and they’ll leave your palms and fingers feeling soft and silky. Be sure to use your hand products after you wash and properly dry your hands, and rub in properly to ensure even, proper coverage. Feeling brave enough to make some hand saviours of your own? Here’s a few recipes: 1 cup coconut oil 10-15 drops of essential oil Combine both in an electric mixer until consistency is light and airy, then transfer into a jar. To make it stand out, add one small drop of food colouring. 2 Tablespoons coconut oil 2 Tablespoons olive oil 3 Tablespoons grated beeswax 30-35 drops lavender essential oil Put all the oils into a small saucepan and put over a medium heat until the mixture gets warm. When removed from the hob add the grated beeswax and gently stir until melted and combined. Cool for up to 10 minutes, then take out and add lavender (around 30-35 drops for a subtle scent) and pour into final containers. © Cover Media
