The Best Mama-Strength Hand Creams
Once motherhood beckons, bottle-washing, nappy changing and general germ-fighting takes its toll on your poor hands. Religious application of hand cream is essential, as is the right formula. Check out the best tubes to get your hands on
Lisa Durant
Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream (£20, clarins.co.uk)
Award winning for a reason, this never-greasy hand cream combats croc-hands and also has anti-ageing benefits to tackle age spots.
Jurlique Rose Hand Cream (£17, jurlique.co.uk)
Smells incredible and the safflower seed and macadamia oil sorts out wrecked hands in quick time. The rose scent will stay with you for hours too.
Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve (£14, kiehls.co.uk)
Designed for very dry, active hands (AKA mum hands), this industrial strength salve treats the most neglected skin, forming a ‘glove-like’ protective film over hands. Surprisingly though, it doesn’t feel lard-like, just comfortable on skin.
L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream (£19, ukloccitane.com)
This cult cream is always a winner in our books. It feels a little rich at first, but then sinks right in. Not the most portable of tubes, but once you’re addicted, buy the mini sizes for your hand/nappy bag.
Neals Yard Bee Lovely Hand Cream (£10, nealsyardrememedies.com)
Loaded with organic honey and orange essential oil, this hand cream smells amazing and is super-hydrating too. It’s even gentle enough to use on kids aged three years and over.
No7 Protect and Perfect Hand Cream (£5.25, boots.com)
Great price, and evens out skin tone and dark spots over time too. Absorbs well, but still rich enough so it doesn’t ‘disappear’ into your skin.
Dermalogica Multivitamin Hand and Nail Treatment (£14.20, dermalogica.co.uk)
One of the few hand products containing an SPF, which is essential to fight UV-induced brown spots on the backs of hands. This is a brilliant hydrator too and contains liquorice extract to reduce existing pigmentation.
Lanolips Rose Balm intense for Very Dry Hands and Nails (£9.18, boots.com)
This uber-balm is an SOS skin saver for the driest of hands. Warm a little between your palms and massage in (great for neglected feet too), then let it sink in a little. Great for a pre-bed treat, hands will feel cushiony soft the next morning.
Aveda Hand Relief (from £6, aveda.co.uk)
This seriously delivers on a hydrating level, but also contains exfoliating fruit acids to smooth skin, as well as antioxidants to fight ageing.
Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv Intensive Smoothing Hand Crème (£54, estee lauder.co.uk)
Yes, this hand cream is pricey, but totally worth the splurge (or Christmas/birthday request). It’s seriously hydrating and transforms bottle washing-battered hands, but sinks in after a minute or so.
