Hand Cream
Best in Test
Our hands say a lot about us – how well we care for and maintain them. Signs of ageing are often visible early and clearly on hands lacking moisture. During winter, cold weather and dry indoor air strain the skin’s moisture balance, and without help the hands do not receive enough nourishment and hydration. The result is dry, rough skin. With a good hand cream you can solve the problem in no time. Choose one that absorbs quickly into the skin and does not leave a greasy film.
Gents has tested several hand creams, and here are our 4 favourites.
Summary
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Hands are exposed daily to cold weather, washing and dry air, which easily leads to dehydrated skin that needs moisture and nourishment.
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A good hand cream should absorb quickly into the skin, provide effective hydration and not leave a sticky or greasy residue.
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Gents’ test panel has tried several hand creams in the range and selected their favourites based on hydration, texture and fragrance.
winner:
Byredo Hand Lotion Suede
Reason: Competition at the top of our hand cream ranking is tight, but the product we place first is actually a hand lotion with a slightly lighter consistency – namely Byredo’s hand lotion with pump, available in several fresh scents. If you have extremely dry hands and need something richer, it may be more suitable to choose their hand creams in tubes with a thicker formula, but their hand lotions perform in a way that still suits most users.
They are somewhat expensive, but they are also surprisingly long-lasting and absorb beautifully without leaving a greasy film on the hands. In addition, they are elegant, minimalist accessories in the bathroom. Another advantage is that they can be complemented with hand soap in the same scent. The fragrance range is large, but we particularly favour the classic Suede, which is fresh without containing too much perfume.
#2
Amoln Hand Cream
Reason: We like Swedish brands, and Amoln from Skåne delivers beautiful handmade products. They are best known for their scented candles, but their hand creams are fantastic for those suffering from dry hands, containing 99.7 percent pure ingredients.
They are pleasantly rich, very economical in use and absorb extremely well – you can clearly feel that the ingredients are of the highest quality and that the products present something genuine and authentic. The cream comes in two Scandinavian-inspired scents that provide a pleasant fragrance without becoming overwhelming. A big plus is that a tube lasts a very long time despite daily use.
#3
L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream
The French brand L'Occitane is hardly unknown to anyone who values high-quality raw materials and beneficial ingredients. For those who prefer a richer formula, L'Occitane’s creams are often ranked number one.
The base of their products is shea butter, which is one of the most softening ingredients you can find on the market. It also contains honey and vitamin E, which acts as a beneficial antioxidant. It is also available in small tubes for carrying in a handbag or toiletry bag and exists as a foot cream as well.
#4
Jukon Salve
Reason: This is an ointment for truly dry and hardworking hands. It contains more fat than moisture and therefore leaves a light protective film on the skin. It suits the man who perhaps works outdoors, frequently has his hands in water (fat repels water) and does not want to spend a fortune on creams.
It also works well on feet, elbows and other parts of the body that need softening. Tip: Apply generously to your feet in the evening, put on socks and sleep with them on to protect the sheets. When you wake up in the morning, your feet will feel like new.