I CAN’T stand the clammy residue hand cream leaves behind.
However, my hands are desperate for moisture, so I’ve found a compromise in applying a hand balm every night before bed.
These are three of the best.
BUDGET
Garnier Hand Superfood Cocoa & Ceramide Balm, £2.49 for 75ml, Superdrug
The No7 Pro Artist Cream Eyeshadow is up there with some of the bestCredit: No7
The first time I used this, I immediately noticed the results.
I know I shouldn’t, but I’m prone to picking at any areas of dry skin, and it helped smooth and soothe the irritated areas overnight.
It is the greasiest of the three and does leave a slight film on my skin, but considering the price, I’d expect it to fall slightly short.
There’s one thing I really don’t like – and it’s the scent.
As I only apply it once a day, I can look past it, but it would be a problem if I was using it more regularly.
MID-RANGE
L’OCCITANE Shea Intensive Hand Balm, £29 rrp for 150ml, M&S
The Lisa Eldridge Liquid Lurex Eyeshadow is easy to blend and dries down fastCredit: Lisa Eldridge
My sister is an A&E nurse, and this is her hand balm of choice – so once I was on the bandwagon, I had to give it a go.
The consistency is thicker than both the others on this list, which has earned it the nickname of ‘hand cheese’ on TikTok, and it takes a bit longer to work it into my palms.
Unsurprisingly, it’s also the most nourishing of the three.
I find the metal tube can be quite delicate, and has split along the sides a couple of times, so it’s worth buying smaller tubes, or investing in the key they make so you squeeze it from the end.
LUXURY
Dior Le Baume, £54 for 50ml, dior.com
The Kulfi Zari Eyes Eyeshadow applies like silk on the skin and a pot will last you yearsCredit: Kulfi Zari
I have to admit, it was the packaging of this balm that first caught my eye – and started my love affair with hand balms as a whole.
The giant Smarties shaped bottle fits perfectly in the palm of my hand, and looks great on my bedside table.
The balm is rich and nourishing without feeling greasy or oily, and works just as well on cracked heels as it does on dry cuticles, plus it smells great too.
If you’re already thinking about Christmas, it would make the perfect gift for the person who has everything.
PICK OF THE WEEK
I CAN take or leave body mists. If I’m wearing a scent I want it to last all day, so I would much rather use a perfume.
But Phlur Cashmere Skin, £25, spacenk.com, has put that into question.
It’s available only as a body mist, and has the comforting familiarity of vanilla, but it’s paired with musk, ambrette, sandalwood balsam that make the fragrance slightly spicy and sophisticated, rather than overly sweet.
