We test three hand creams in all price ranges – one leaves no sticky residue
UNTIL recently, I’ve never really suffered from dry hands, and the idea of using sticky, clammy hand cream was a big deal.
That all changed last month when the cold weather made them tight and itchy, so I put a lot to the test and these are my favorites.
Budget
5
GARNIER Hand Superfood Cacao & Ceramide (£2.49 for 75ml, boots.com): Garnier is one of my favorite affordable skincare brands – there aren’t many others that manage to combine smart, ingredient-based formulas and prioritize sustainability without costing a fortune.
This formula is more balm-like and made for very dry and rough hands.
Therefore, I found it a bit too heavy for daily use and didn’t like the waxy barrier it left behind, although it is great to apply before bed and leave on overnight.
If you have dry, cracked hands, look no further – and it costs less than a cup of coffee from a coffee shop!
Mid range
5
L’OCCITANE Shea Butter Hand Cream, (£23 for 150ml, uk.loccitane.com): If you’ve seen the viral “hand cheese” videos on Tiktok, you know that this formula is extremely thick.
It takes a little longer to massage into the skin than a lighter formula, but I was pleasantly surprised that despite its consistency, it didn’t leave a sticky or greasy residue.
A little goes a long way, it’s unscented so it won’t sting dry spots or interfere with perfume, and even when fully absorbed, hands feel moisturized for hours.
It’s my new favorite, and even though I’ve been using it several times a day for the past few weeks, I’ve barely made a dent in the tube.
Luxury
5
DR SAM’S Flawless Hand Therapy (£15 for 50ml, drsambunting.com): Most luxury hand creams are packed with scents that I find unpleasant, so this dermatologist-made formula is a great alternative.
Packed with premium ingredients like bakuchiol, niacinamide, squalane and antibacterial zinc to help strengthen the skin’s microbiome and reduce signs of sun damage like pigmentation and hydrate, it’s really a matter of what you pay for.
The texture is the lightest of the three I tried here, and there is no trace of stickiness once applied.
The long-term benefits are also better than any other hand cream I’ve tested.
Choice of the week
5
Head up! For Mother’s Day this Sunday, No7 has launched a range of great value gift sets so you can cement your position as favorite child.
My pick is the best-selling No 7 Future Renew Collection, £39.95 (valued at £80.87), which caused queues at launch last year, or the nine-piece No 7 Spring Collection for £44.95 (valued at value of £121.60).