Best handcream for a cleaner with sore hands

Fritillary

Hi there,

Just wondered what handcream MSE's can vouch for? I'm a self-employed cleaner and my hands have really started to suffer ( i know i should wear marigolds!) Tried most of the brands sold in supermarkets but most of them don't give any lasting effects and my hands are rough and dry again within about 20 mins. Don't mind spending more money on a really good quality one but which one?

Thanks

Bronnie

I have the same problem, my hands are dreadful atm, I am inconsistent in looking after them, wearing gloves etc, so it's partly my own fault. I get very painful cracks on my fingers too.

My best heavy-duty emergency treatment is to use an the least coarse side of an emery board gently on any thickened rough dry patches, followed by a HM sugar and oil hand scrub . I then use some Flexitol Heel Balm, (which is made for feet and is not cheap but an economical and very effective product) overnight with a pair of cotton gloves on top. The Flexitol is excellent for taking the pain out of any splits or cracks in your fingers. They do a hand balm too, but haven't tried that.

There are lots of heavy duty handcreams like the Norwegian Formula one, but I think you have to work at getting the condition back in your skin and protecting them, before day-to-day hand cream will show any lasting benefits.
***WISHING I COULD PRACTISE WHAT I PREACH!!***

Fritillary

Using heel balm sounds like a good idea! Can't think why I hadn't thought of it
I have seen Flexitol in the shops, didn't know they did one for hands though, will look out for it.
Thanks Bronnie

Valentina2

Apart from wearing rubber gloves to do the cleaning, wear normal gloves when you are outside as the cold and windy weather makes hands even dryer.
The best handcream I ever tried (I have tried a few) is L´occitane de Provence shea butter hand cream. It is very rich and takes a while to sink in but is excellent when your hands are very rough and dry. It´s expensive but sometimes on the website they have special offers on or maybe you could look for it on ebay.

geri1965_2

Body Shop hemp hand protector is excellent.

clairibel

I just use a aqueous cream on mine and this seems to soothe them...you could add some lavender essential oil for nice smell and calming properties, i get sore spots on my hands especially were my wedding rings are and cracks at the tips of my fingers.

I also use elizabeth arden 8 hour cream on my sore areas which does work but pricey

flippin36

geri1965 wrote: »

Body Shop hemp hand protector is excellent.

My brother in law told me about this. He is a plumber and gets the most horrible cracked hands I have ever seen. He swore by BS Hemp handcream to heal is hands. So I bought some myself this winter, and yes its probably the best I have used on my dry hands. With possible exception of L'Occitane shear butter handcream (but quite pricey).

Fritillary

I shall try the BS hemp as well. Thanks all

lostinrates

I'm going to try the body shop one too.
I'm always looking for good handcreams. OP, I find it hard to wear gloves when cleaning too, and I spend a lot of time outside: this time of year I'm breaking the ice on water troughs with my hands, doing outside work, then coming in and doing house work. Out side (apart from when breaking ice or getting wet) I find leather gloves super: comfortable and easy to grip with, but I do find rubber gloves awkward..... I do keep meaning to persevere, but give up.

To combat that I use hand cream a lot. I have hand cream by all y sinks, in the car, by my bed..so whereever I am when I remember to use some, I have it to hand.

lynzpower

I work outside, and am often totally freezing. I wash my hands quite frequently and they are very dry and sometimes sore. an old freind who was a leather worker whos hands were often cut etc- recommended it- I cannot get enough of any of the L'occitane hand creams, any of them are fantastic. They often have great deals on QVC of all places, keep an eye out they do go fast though! ( i missed out again recently:( )

I havent tried the body shop one but will now, thier products are great IMO. I have also kept a tub of body butter in the van too and thats been really good. ( altohugh slightly rich and wet, not too good in the cold!)

ljbnotts

Another good product (but a bit pricey!) is Crabtree and Evelyns 60 seconds fix for hands. http://www.crabtree-evelyn.co.uk/eng/products/hand-foot-care/bestsellers/60_second_fix_for_hands?104659

They also do mini sizes for £7 which is more of a trial size.

It comes as a 2 part set, recovery and therapy

Recovery is a scrub for your hands, rub it into dry hands for 60 seconds, then wash off. It leaves your hands in an amazing condition. I was amazed when I tried it! My mum uses it all the time and when she has been out in the garden for days on end with rough skin she uses this and hey presto lovely hands! Its then followed with the Therapy which is a lovely hand cream which makes your hands feel lush, it's not greasy and disssolves straight in.

A tip I was taught years ago was always apply hand cream to the back of your hand and rub the backs together then into your palms. I think this is beacuse the cream dissolves straight into your palms first and dosen't get spread around evenly!

Although its pricey for the set (£22) it will last you ages and ages as you really only need a tiny bit!

La source is my favorite - it has more of a neutral smell than the other fragrances although the Gardner's one smells like Rosemary and lavender which is also nice!

Hope that helps,

Oh and if you have a Crabtree and Evelyn near you then pop in and ask for a demonstration, its free and you can see if it will work for you!

(PS I know I sound like I work for them but I really don't!! I just love the hand cream and scrub!)