I’m washing my hands maybe an average of 20 times a day, possibly more if I’m cooking or cleaning. I’m happy to do so no complaints here, but I don’t want to go out into the world when it’s finally safe to with dry crusty hands, and neither do you.
I depend on my fabulous hands to write, swipe, scroll, text, and double-tap. Our hands, I believe, never get the love it deserves, and it’s one of the first parts of our body to age. So in this New World of excessive handwashing, and scrubbing — giving our hands a little TLC is an absolute must.
When it comes to skincare products that I use outside my home frequently, I have my favorites. But since I only carry crutches for day and evening, it’s essential to find a product that I can use for dual purposes. 95% of the time, my lip balm doubles as my hand salve, and it works.
Hand creams like any other skincare products need not be expensive; sure, you can use your regular body lotion olive oil or coconut oil. Scoop out of bid of either one put it in a to-go container drop it in your pocketbook or your pocket, but if you’re like me and have different creams for your arms, legs, and rest of your body, it’s not a big deal to add a hand cream.
In the world of hand creams and lotions — all are not created equally. For my hands, I adore hydrating formulas without that greasy, sticky feel.
KEY: Consistency is the only way to make it work!
Here are a few of my favorites
Akar SKIN
pure lip restoration use to be a Winter MUST have I’m so in love that I use it all year round. I have permanently placed one in my car, clutch, bathroom, and bedside table, and it doubles as an excellent hand balm. They offer 15% off for first-time purchases
L’Occitane
Shea Butter Hand Cream has been my go-to for a decade or more. It is hydrating and drys wonderfully without the sticky, greasy residue. I also love their hand scrub (currently sold out) and cuticle oil.
Love Beauty and Planet Murumuru Butter & Rose
Delicious Glow Hand Cream I stumbled upon this last year at Target. I loved the price point and decided to give it a try since I had exiled myself from Sephora. It was a winner and has now been added to my bedside drawer. It is hydrating and feels wonderful — it dries nicely on my hands without any sticky or greasy residue. I also tried this one and loved it.
Mario Badescu
Rose Hand Cream With Vitamin E is AMAZing — the new formula has too much of a rose smell for me (go for it if you love the rose smell), but I am still using it as a mask.
Caudalíe
Hand and Nail Cream is a bit of lux in a tube; it has a beautiful smell and its nourishing with antioxidants.
Tatcha
Indigo Soothing Silk Hand Cream has been my quarantine GO TO, it’s soothing and helps when my hands become sensitive. And it was made for dry skin. (Currently sold out – if it ever becomes available again MUST buy)
Kiehl’s
Ultimate Strength Hand Salve is my backup quarantine go to. I love that it’s healing, and my hand does not feel as dry the first time I wash after I apply it. I usually purchase it at Sephora or Kiehl’s website, which has a 20% off right now.
Dr. Botanicals
Lemon Superfood all-in-one Rescue Butter I got this in March, and it’s now sold out, but it’s Fabulous (that’s all I can say – try it). Buy it when you can. I also ordered this delicious hand soaps — I can’t wait to try them.
Lucas Papaw Ointment
is a life savior — I’ve used for a really really really long time (I can’t remember a time I didn’t have a tube around). I keep one in my first aid kit, travel bag, and my bedside drawer. I use it on my lips, hands, feet, elbows, and knees. Or pretty much everywhere.
BE SENSUAL HEMP HAND CRÈME
smells lovely, and it’s supposed to help you connect (you’re quarantined connect), but seriously it’s so gorgeous. I received this as a gift, and I fell in love.
Ok, so now you know I own way too many hand creams, but these are my faves!
And here are three BONUSES for later (post quarantine)
- Gold Bond Ultimate Intensive Healing Hand Cream is my GO travel buddy. It’s super moisturizing and has currently earned a home in my kitchen.
- Supergoop Forever Young Hand Cream with Sea Buckthorn SPF 40 Thou shalt never leave thy hands exposed to the Sun. I never leave home without applying this and it’s also another travel buddy.
- Supergoop Handscreen SPF 40 Mini this has earned a permanent home in my car.
Don’t forget Exfoliate + Pamper (Masking)
Pre coronavirus, I exfoliated my hands twice weekly and did a hand mask on Saturday nights. Now I exfoliate four times a week (I don’t think my dermatologist would be ok with this), but it’s working for me. And I also mask twice weekly.
KEY: if it works for you, continue to do it!
I’m currently using four of my facial exfoliants in rotation to exfoliate my hands. Since I’m out of the one I normally use — I am trying to use the things I already own. This is my routine — I use one facial exfoliant from the four that is in rotation twice weekly and I use one of two of home-made exfoliants twice weekly.
- LANCER SKINCARE
The Method: Polish Normal-Combination Skin - KATE SOMERVILLE
ExfoliKate® Intensive Pore Exfoliating Treatment (use to be called Intensive Exfoliating Treatment but same product) - SKIN FOOD Black Sugar Strawberry Mask Wash Off
- FREEMAN (feeling beautiful) — this is a newbie with staying power (Thanks T)
charcoal + black sugar
GEL MASK + SCRUB
Home-made Exfoliant + Directions
- Coffee + Coconut Oil
1 Tablespoons of ground coffee
1 Tablespoon of coconut oil
Mix the two to create a paste
- Lemon + Brown Suger + Coconut Oil
1/2 of lemon (juiced no seeds – pulp ok)
2 Tablespoons of Brown sugar
2 Tablespoons of Coconut Oil
Combine all together to create a paste — it should drip.
How to: Exfoliate
- Wet hands and grab a dollop of your choice of exfoliant (a dollop of Daisy – don’t know why I thought of that I hate sourcream)
- Mindfully massage into your hands for as long as you’d like.
- Wash hands and apply hand lotion as normal — sweet dreams
Do Not to irritate your skin!
Note
Any type of oil will work, brown or white sugar (your preference or use what you have), don’t use lemon if you have open wounds and leftovers (no problem) store in the fridge.
For masks I use
- Karuna Age-Defying+ Hand Mask Box – I usually purchase mine from Amazon, but you can buy from the brand’s site 20% first-time subscribers
- Mario Badescu Rose Hand Cream With Vitamin E
How to: Mask
If you decide on Karuna, then the directions are there, and its a fabulous experience, but if you want to try my home created experience, then keep reading. I am alternating my Karuna mask with my home creations since I have a box and a half left.
- On my countertop, I lay a hand towel or two washcloths
- Place two generous pieces of Glad Cling Wrap carefully on top of a towel or washcloth
- Add a generous amount of Mario Badescu Rose Hand Cream With Vitamin E and a teaspoon of coconut oil
- Massage into hands for a few seconds
- Place hands on plastic wrap/towel combo and wrap hands (a bit challenging but doable)
- Sit for 20 min
- Remove hand wrap – mindfully massage the leftover lotion and oil into hands — sweet dreams
The next day I’m staring at my hands like pretty b!&$h.
Note
I’ve also used my reusable produce bags when I’m being lazy from this post, but any plastic bag will do.
Remember consistency is key when it comes to hand care and see what works for you. Something that may work for me may not work for you.
And there you have it — your guide to SEXY, BEAUTIFUL Hands even in a world of overwashed hands. If there’s a hand cream/lotion you’d like to share with me — please leave a comment. I love trying new products.
As always, I’m sending love – stay safe.
Cheers
XXOO
Nat
Articles like this one are written to offer practical advice, provide some entertainment, foster a sense of social cohesion, and remind us that life is still beautiful during these strange and isolating times.
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