Image: Wild Source Apothecary
Cold weather, dehydrating soaps and other environmental stresses can leave the skin on our hands feeling dry and raw. Sophie Parsons looks into the best natural hand creams to incorporate into our daily skincare routines.
Hand cream has long been a fundamental part of my night time routine, the final step in a rather lengthy skin care regime of cleansers, AHAs and oils. Instilled in me by Mum, who has a hand cream and lip balm in every bag, drawer and glove box, hand creams have helped to keep bouts of dermatitis and cracked winter skin at bay.
As our hand washing routines have amplified, in an effort to combat and contain the devastation of coronavirus, the very nature of antibacterial soaps subsequently strips our skin of its natural oils – the sebum layer – and so can result in drier, cracked skin that, while healthier, is uncomfortably dehydrated. Fortunately, natural hand creams provide an antidote: not only directly putting the oils back into the skin, but also helping to prevent any further dehydration – despite increased washing.
In my search for the perfectly hydrating, absorbent but not too thick, fragranced but natural hand cream, I have discovered the importance of base oils such as almond and jojoba, the nourishing qualities of shea butter and beeswax. Most importantly, I have learnt to read the ingredients list, prioritising those with long lists of botanical names in Latin as opposed to chemical compounds. Alternatively, creating your own DIY hand cream can mean having complete control over its natural make-up, concocting the perfect blend of your favourite scents and essential oils. If that’s not for you, here are a few of our favourite natural creams and lotions to rehabilitate the driest of hands.