Hand washing has become a ritual not to be rushed. Something we did quickly and automatically now needs more time and attention. However, this new ritual has taken its toll on the condition of our hands causing dryness and sometimes sensitivity. Now is the time to update your beauty routine and look after your hands as you would your complexion.
Soap
Longer and frequent hand washing with soap is now essential. At best, this is resulting in slight dryness and at worst chapped, sensitive and even crepey skin.
Yope Liquid Soaps with TGA Formula
Yope’s challenged themselves to make liquid soap even gentler to the hands and they believe they have found the answer with TGA formula.
TGA is a special combination of plant-based surfactants safe for all skin types including sensitive skin. The soap does not disturb the natural lipid barrier of the skin, leaving the hands soft. Formulated with pure botanical extracts, vitamin B5 and soothing allantoin.
Fragrances are fresh herbaceous Salvia & Green Caviar, spicy oriental Ginger & Sandalwood, refreshingly cool Green Tea & Mint and the new sweet, summery Linden Blossom.
Ingredients are 92% natural or low processed, suitable for vegans and free from SLS, SLES, parabens, PEG, silicone and dyes.
Available from Waitrose. Price £8.99.
Nairian Silk Soap £8
Originally crafted as a solution for a child suffering from eczema, Nairian’s silk soap now helps to repair rough, dry and chapped skin.
Ingredients include pomegranate and apricot oils, which leave behind a protective layer of essential fatty acids to soften the skin. Nairian purchase the pomegranate seeds from a local juice company that would otherwise remain unused, and the apricot stones from a local producer of dried apricots who normally throws them away.
Other ingredients include calendula and a touch of lavender to help soothe irritated and sensitive skin.
Free from parabens, formaldehyde donors, phthalates, sulphates, synthetic fragrances and other harmful toxins. Vegan friendly.
Hand cream
Ensure to use hand cream after you wash your hands to keep them soft and smooth. Have a tube handy with you at all times.
Mane’n’ Tail’s Hoofmaker original Hand & Nail Therapy
We couldn’t resist this one. A horse to human crossover treatment originally created to keep your pony’s hooves in tiptop condition, but was accidentally discovered to improve the hands and nails of the people applying the treatment to the horse too. For cracked, dry skin on the hands, feet and body whilst strengthening and protecting nails.
Available from www.lookfantastic.com. Price £6.71.
Ahava Demud Intensive Hand Cream
More expensive at £20.99 so maybe use at night before you go to bed in order not to wash away its rich benefits. Infused with dead sea mud, shea butter and jojoba seed oil, this hand cream helps soothes itching, calms redness and replenishes moisture.
Free from parabens, petroleum, harsh synthetic ingredients and animal testing.
Available from www.lookfantastic.com
Cuticle Cream
Don’t ignore your cuticles; they also need tender loving care.
Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Creme
Packed with natural ingredients including sweet almond oil and cocoa seed butter to soften the cuticles and vitamin E and sunflower oil to nourish brittle nails. Fragrance of lemons gives a clean fresh scent. Price £6.49.
Available from www.lookfantastic.com
Hand Masks
Many love to include a weekly face mask to their skincare routine, and now is the time to add the hand mask.
Nailsinc Thirsty Hands Super Hudrating Hand Mask
Treat your hands to a nourishing mask. This mask is fortified with botanical extracts, shea butter and vitamin E. Best used before bedtime to benefit from the intense moisturising properties. Relax and leave on for 15–10 minutes.
Available from www.lookfantastic.com. Price £8.
Editor’s handy tip – when applying face serum or moisturiser, smooth any excess off on to the backs of your hands.
Karen Grace studied Personal Styling at the London College of Fashion and is Eclipse Magazine’s Fashion & Beauty Editor.
You can read more of Karen’s fashion advice at: www.frumpytofunky.com
For personal shopping and styling services you can reach her via frumpy to funky on contact@frumpytofunky