Best hand creams for winter

It’s said that you can’t appreciate summer without winter, and while that’s true, my hands do not appreciate the cold.

I’ve been putting hand creams through their paces for the last few weeks, and these six are the best of the best. They are all exceptional at banishing scaly winter skin, but I’ve chosen each of them for different reasons to make it easier for you to decide which will best suit your needs.

Everyday use: Restylane Hand Cream (R295) is my favourite all day, every day hand cream. Its light texture absorbs quickly and leaves the skin soft and supple.

Anti-Aging: Neutrogena Anti-Aging Hand Cream SPF25 (R93) has been a favourite of mine for years, and I always have a tube of it in my car. Most of the sun damage you get on your hands is from driving, so the SPF in this is a fantastic addition.

Very dry and irritated skin: Avène Cicalfate Hand (R130) is more of a treatment than a hand cream, an dis the only thing to reach for if you get those itchy red cracks in your skin from the cold. Apply this every few hours and they’ll disappear in a few days.

On the go: Neutrogena is obviously the go-to brand for hand creams, and their Fast Absorbing Light Texture Hand Cream (R93) is perfect for when you just don’t have time to wait for cream to absorb or if you’re like me and hate the feeling of hand cream on your palms (ick!). This super light texture moisturises instantly without a hint of sticky residue.

Over night wonder: If you prefer to apply hand cream and night and wake up with beautifully soft skin, Mavala Mava+ Extreme Care for Hands (R299) is basically the equivalent of ‘bringing out the big guns.’ It’s indicated for very dry skin, so will banish any sign of dryness and keep your hands beautifully supple throughout the colder months.

Exceptionally dry patches: The Body Shop Hemp Rescue Balm (R260) is technically not a cream, but this work an absolute treat on super dry and cracked knuckles, finger joints and cuticles. It forms an oily barrier to protect and nourish the skin underneath.