BEAUTY: TRIED & TESTED
The team puts hand creams to the test
Avène Cicalfate Repairing Barrier Cream (R199,99) I love this hand cream because it has a longlasting effect on my hands, making them feel soft, smooth and supple. The consistency is a bit greasy when applied but the cream absorbs quite quickly. It is scent-free and excellent if you have sensitive skin. I didn’t find it irritating on the skin and it didn’t dry out my hands; it certainly packs a moisture punch. A great product. – Tasneem Dr Hauschka Regenerating Hand Cream (R1450) This hand cream has the most wonderful-sounding ingredients: olive and avocado oils, cocoa butter, plant extract of red clover and quince seed, just to name a few. It feels a bit sticky when you first apply it, but it soon soaks in beautifully and keeps your hands soft and moisturised. The scent is very slight, which I prefer – I’m not mad about creams that overpower my perfume. And it comes in a nifty little pump-action container – perfect for your handbag. – Caryn Sorbet Firming Hand & Nail Cream (R35) If you want something that smells good and looks pretty – at an affordable price – this cream is a winner! I generally don’t struggle with dry hands, so I use hand cream mostly for the scent. The pomegranate and cranberry oil fragrance comes in handy in emergency situations when you can’t find your purse perfume (yes, that is a thing!). I can’t count the number of times I applied it to my hands, as I tend to do so obsessively once I have it in my possession. Surprisingly, my hands didn’t stay greasy for long. Your hands are a dead giveaway of your age and this hand cream has just the right ingredient to keep them looking youthful: vitamin E oil. – Christina Morlage & Yorke Apothecary Lemongrass & Verbena Hand & Nail Cream (R69,95) I absolutely love this cream! It’s my new handbag staple. The lemony scent is so fresh and welcoming, I almost want to apply it just for the smell. I have never been a fan of hand creams as I hate feeling greasy, but this formula absorbed quickly, made a visible difference to my hands and seemed to lock in moisture for quite some time. It is inexpensive compared to other brands and it isn’t tested on animals (beauty without cruelty). A definite keeper! – Janine
Eucerin UreaRepair Plus 5% Urea Hand Cream (R137,99) This hand cream contains
5 percent urea plus ceramide and is specifically for very dry, rough hands (tick) as it helps strengthen the skin’s lipid barrier.
I love that it absorbs quickly and is non-greasy; my main issue with hand creams is that
I want to slap it on and get on with my life, which I can’t do when my hands are all slippery. This one makes your hands feel instantly hydrated, and within a minute or two it sinks in almost completely. Plus you can still feel the effects hours later. It is fragrance- and colourant-free so it doesn’t really smell like anything. A great option if you need a no-frills, heavy-duty moisture boost. – Liesl Clarins MultiIntensive Super Restorative Hand Cream (R705) Having greasy hands when you’re handling expensive camera equipment is risky! That’s why this cream is perfect for me: it absorbed immediately after application and really replenished my skin, which tends to be a bit on the dry side. I needed to apply it only twice – in the morning and at night – and the subtle flowery scent is a bonus. – Liza Nuxe Rêve de Miel Hand and Nail Cream (R185) I love the texture of this cream: moisturising but not too greasy. I don’t like not being able to use my hands immediately after application. It’s got quite a strong scent, which I found a bit off-putting initially, but that quickly settled down – and anyway, the efficacy of the cream would have outweighed any quibbles I may have had. It really seemed to help with dryness and also seemed to strengthen my nails a bit, which was very welcome. I would definitely recommend it. – Suzy DermaFix Hand ResQ (R395) Using waterless hand sanitiser has made my hands feel really dry, so I needed a cream that would put the moisture back. This one features four key ingredients: shea butter (for its anti-inflammatory benefits), hydrolysed keratin (replenishes moisture levels and improves elasticity), soluble collagen (combats fine lines and wrinkles) and vitamin E (preserves moisture and promotes healing). The shea butter gives the cream a nuttysweet scent and it doesn’t leave a sticky residue – perfect if you spend your day tapping on a keyboard. – Charis African Extracts Advantage hand cream (R32,99) I’ve been using this range since high school, and my love for it has only grown. Their products always include plant extracts, which give this cream a beautiful natural scent. It leaves your hands feeling soft and gentle, and perfectly hydrated for winter. And the SPF 15 sun protection factor is a plus. – Caroline Mincer Pharma Vitamins Philosophy hand cream (R85) I must admit, the ‘for mature skin’ tag on this product does bug me, though the fact that I refuse to be duped by pretty packaging any longer is a sure sign that I’ve indeed ‘matured’ – and why this may be the first cream that actually works. This no-nonsense-looking product contains an antioxidant cocktail of vitamins A, B5, C and E, as well as Abyssinian oil, which has rejuvenating properties. The cream has a light, silky texture and leaves your hands feeling deeply nourished rather than with an oily film that skims only the surface. I apply it twice a day, and love its subtle, refreshing scent. – Maya Mavala Hand Cream (R196) Enriched with soluble marine collagen, this hand cream is great for dry, cracked hands that need some extra attention. It hydrates my hands almost instantly and gives my skin a brighter tone.
I love that it’s fragrance-free as I have very sensitive skin, and it doesn’t make my hands too oily. It nourishes so well, I use it on my knees and elbows too! – Liezel Avon Care Age Restore Firming Hand Cream (R27) I never use kitchen gloves because they get in the way of cleaning, so my hands take quite a beating. They were also starting to look like they were ageing so I switched to this cream. It is non-greasy and absorbs easily, and my skin already feels firmer and smoother. My nails and cuticles are also nourished and in much better condition. Plus I like the light, powdery fragrance. – Crystal Gatineau VitaminA Suractivee Hand Cream (R250) I caught a glimpse of the back of my hand the other day and – shock, horror – dry, scaly and so unattractive. So I jumped at the chance to test this hand cream. And boy, did I hit the jackpot! It glides on silk-like, is quick-absorbing and felt so luxe on my skin. And it took years off my hands! I’ll definitely be investing in it.