TRIED & TESTED

Don’t know about you, but our hands are battling with the constant sanitising and washing – they’re dry and flaky. We made it our mission to find creams that really help.

Hands dry and flaky from using hand sanitisers? We test the best hand creams

Sothys Crème Mains Velours, R310

Isn apped up this little tube from French spa brand Sothys at once – I’d had a Sothys facial once before and I remember it being so soothing and hydrating. The hand cream didn’t disappoint. It contains vitamin A, E and F so it’s very nourishing – all you need is a dollop. The scent is sweet but gentle and it doesn’t leave your hands feeling greasy. I slathered it on before bed and I could still feel the effects the next morning. Just lovely. – Liesl Robertson

Diego dalla Palma Mani Felici – Happy Hands, R380

This absorbs easily and has a very light hint of a powdery fragrance.

My hands feel so soft and moisturised after application. It’s getting rid of the dryness caused by months of using hand sanitiser; I noticed a change after only two days – I feel like I’ve had a mani! – Crystal Matthews

Optiphi Body Curve Renew Anti-aging Hand Therapy SPF20, R360

Research has found that up to 90% of all symptoms of premature skin ageing are caused by UV. I love the outdoors, so this is perfect for me: it promises to diminish age spots caused by environmental stressors and external ageing factors with a powerful antioxidant blend of ‘chromanol and licorice extracts’. It feels silky, and my hands were super nourished with little ‘sticky’ residue, which is one of my pet hates. It’s great! – Liza van Deventer

Nivea 3 in 1 Repair, R41.99

I’m a big Nivea fan – their products are properly developed, very effective and extremely well priced – what more could you want? This is no exception: it sinks in immediately and made my hands feel instantly moisturised as well as protected, without feeling at all greasy. It contains dexpanthenol, which helps slough off dead skin cells and retain moisture. It worked really well for me; I will definitely buy it again.

– Suzy Brokensha

Burt’s Bees Almond & Milk Hand Cream, R200

Before we could get this product in South Africa, I used to beg friends living in New York to send it to me: I was obsessed. It’s about the texture as well as the scent – it’s deeply moisturising and very effective. I would recommend using it overnight, because it can be a bit oily, so I think of it as a treatment rather than a cream. It feels luxurious, smells wonderful and works like a bomb.

– Sandy Page

Burt’s Bees Ultimate Care Hand Cream with Baobab Oil, R213

This made my hands feel instantly hydrated and absorbs beautifully within minutes. It has a lightweight texture and softens hands without making them feel greasy. It is lightly scented and not too overwhelming, which I prefer. This cream is absolutely lovely and comes highly recommended. – Washiefa Larney

SVR Xérial Fissures Et Crevasses 7-day Repairing and Protecting Cream, R212

I admit I overdid it with the alcohol-based sanitiser during lockdown, and the skin on my hands ended up dry and cracked – and stinging when I next applied it, which was often. This cream was heaven-sent. It applied easily, absorbed completely within a minute or two, and within two days, most of the fissures in my skin had healed. My hands also felt soft and smooth, not like the nutmeg grater they were before. I’d buy this again, especially if alcohol-based sanitisers are going to be our future. – Sameena Amien

Oh So Heavenly Happy Hands, R26.99

This cream smooths easily – it has a thick texture that’s sticky and greasy when applied but melts on contact. With its sweet blend of shea butter and oatmeal, the scent is quite intense and lingers for a while. I didn’t like the greasy texture at first, but the fast-absorbing formulation left my hands feeling smooth and silky. This hand cream nourishes my skin well and is easy on the pocket.

– Tasneem Larney

Eucerin UreaRepair Plus, R139.99

This hand cream glides on really easily and absorbs very quickly, which is great. It’s not scented, which I like. It says that it offers immediate relief from dry skin and protection for 48 hours, and it did. While my hands are not quite back to where they should be, they’re much better than they were. It’s a good price too. This gets a thumbs-up from me.

– Xolani Dikeni

Gatineau VitaminA Suractivee, R265

My hands constantly felt dry and rough, but this is enriched with a double collagen complex (for skin suppleness), as well as citric acid (micro-exfoliating action), sorbic acid (depigmentation effect) and vitamins A, E and F. It absorbed easily and left no greasy residue – and it smells great. My hands feel well moisturised, soft and supple. If you want an intensive treatment, apply a generous layer to your hands and cover them with cotton gloves before you head off to bed. You’ll thank me in the morning!

– Charis Torrance

Dr Hauschka Hydrating Hand Cream, R385

A combination of beeswax, wheatgerm oil and blackthorn, this cream manages to nourish and soften dry skin without feeling heavy. I love its unobtrusive herbal fragrance. My one critique is that it doesn’t spread easily. Instead of being able to massage it into my hands, it becomes sticky quite quickly. But the upside is that it dries fast. It is pricey, but a great option. – Robin Hannah

Skin Republic Nail + Cuticle Hand Mask, R55

This is a pair of gloves that contains argan oil, vitamin E and ceramides, which moisturise your hands, strengthen your nails and soften your cuticles: you wear the gloves for 20 minutes, then remove them without rinsing. They worked well – my hands are in a bad state, and this product definitely made a difference: my cuticles softened enough for me to gently push them back. You’re meant to use the gloves twice a week for a month, which would be costly. I would use them once as a booster and then a good, reasonably priced cream as a daily fix.

– Maré Stander

Skin Republic Hand Repair Anti Aging Hand Mask, R55

If there was ever a time to think out of the tube, it’s now! This mask repaired both my skin and cuticles. The serum brought back all the moisture and natural oils that were stripped away from daily alcohol sanitising. The outer layer of the glove stays dry, so I could wear them while doing chores. The results are amazing: hydrated, silky-soft skin! – Liezel Dukes

Avène Eau Thermale Cicalfate Hand Repair Barrier Cream, R149

While it’s thick and luxurious, the cream absorbed quickly. It feels pampering and moisturising, and leaves you with grease-free hands in no time. It is unscented, so suitable for sensitive skin, and works well on dry cuticle areas.

My hands felt soft, smooth and soothed throughout the day. – Alice Thesen