The best handcreams

I've had dry, eczema-prone hands as long as I can remember, which got better as I got into my twenties, but went downhill rapidly when I had children and found myself washing my hands every 10 minutes for food preparation, nappy changes, toilet trips (normally not my own!) etc.. etc.. My hands were often very red and could have open sores, so handcream was and is, as essential as my morning coffee! I have handcreams everywhere I could need them; next to every washbasin, in my handbag, in the change bag, in the car and a cupboard full of spares. Trust me, I know handcreams like the back of my hand (haha!), so I thought you may have some use for some of my findings along the way.

I don't like to categorically say a particular handcream is bad, as obviously different skin reacts differently and therefore others may find these as good as I do bad, but generally, a very cheap handcream has a thinner consistency than the mid-high end ones and they don't penetrate the skin effectively so your hands quickly feel dry and undernourished again. Anti-aging handcreams are also bad news if your hands have redness or open wounds as they will sting!

There are many handcreams that I've tried, that I like and would buy again where my favourites weren't available. These include Atrixo handcream (approxiately £2 for 50ml), Occitane's Shea Butter Handcream (£19 for 150ml) and Nivea Creme (approximately £2.99 for 200ml). All are good, have a pleasant smell and feel very rich.

By far and away my favourite two handcreams are Neutrogena (50ml for £3.69), specifically, Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Concentrated Hand Cream Unscented and The Body Shop's Hemp handcream. Neutrogena is a great value, effective handcream which immediately gives huge relief to even the driest of hands. This also comes in a very handy 15ml travel sized tube which can be stashed near enough anywhere!

The very best and most effective handcream though is the Body Shop's Hemp cream (100ml for £11). As well as during the day when your hands are feeling in need of a boost, I'd recommend putting this on last thing at night so that it can work overnight to leave your hands lovely and moisturized the following morning. It's not the cheapest but it's definitely cost-effective as, unlike many of the others, it really does work!