Hands up!

Constant washing and sanitising, combined with autumnal weather, can leave skin dry and sore.

Washing your hands with soap is a great bug- buster, and has been a key part of fighting Covid- 19. But it doesn’t just get rid of invisible layers of grime, it also removes moisture- locking natural oils that keep hands hydrated.

Anti- bacterial gels have the same effect, altering the skin’s pH balance, making dryness and sensitivity much more likely.

For this reason, it’s more important than ever to moisturise regularly, while seeking out ingredients that offer an

Eclat Skin London Collagen & Hyaluronic Acid Hand Cream, £ 10 ( eclatskinlondon. com) Choose a cream rich in moisture- boosting hyaluronic acid to combat the drying effects of sanitiser. Top of our list is this hydrating treat, which also contains vitamin E and sweet almond oil to lock in moisture.

Good for nails

Skin Republic Nail + Cuticle Hand Mask, £ 5.99 ( theskinrepublic. co. uk)

Slip on these skin- softening gloves for 20 minutes to nourish cuticles and strengthen nails. Infused with a blend of keratin and argan oil, the gloves are touchscreen friendly, so you can carry on tweeting, typing or texting. extra hit of hydration. Top of your list should be humectants, which draw moisture towards the skin’s deepest layers. Great examples are glycerin and hyaluronic acid.

Emollients, such as shea butter, seal in moisture, while barrier- forming ingredients, like lanolin, protect skin from external aggressors.

The good news is that finding hand- care products packed with these ingredients is easier than ever.

Here’s a round- up of our favourites.

Yellow and white, £ 34.99, H& M

Blush pink, £ 20, Dorothy Perkins

Blue and white, £ 75, puma. com

White and pink, £ 70, asics. com

Neon pink, £ 54.99, Nike at zalando. co. uk

Lilac quilted, £ 12, New Look