I've used this hand cream for years

I swear by this saviour cream to keep my hands from cracking in winter

When I'm not at my desk I'm outside in all weather, leaving my hands worse for wear but this cream is a hero product I swear by all year round

01 Oct 2024, 08:38 by Ruth Ovens · The Mirror

With winter well and truly on the way and the weather taking a rather miserable turn for the worse anyone who spends a lot of time outside will notice their skin taking a battering. While I work indoors, a combination of dog walking and outdoor hobbies including running and horse riding mean that every year I end up with sore hands.

This has made me something of a hand cream fanatic and over the years I have tried a lot of brands However there is one I always seem to go back to when my hands are particularly dry and cracked.

I first started using O'Keeffe's Working Hands Intensive Balm and Hand Cream after my mum recommended it to me a few years back. These products are true workhorses with a little going a long way.

The packaging may not be particularly luxe but it's very much a case of substance over style. The thick hand cream has an almost instant soothing effect which seems to last hours after being applied, while the intensive balm is perfect for applying to particularly sore areas.

At £16.50 for the two products on Amazon, it may feel like a lot to pay for hand cream but you can also buy just the standard cream for £8.49 on its own. O'Keeffe's Working Hands Intensive Balm and Handcream is fragrance-free making it perfect for anyone who is sensitive to scent or if you want to wear perfume without two smells fighting each other.

I always go back to this brand when my hands are particularly dry and cracked

Generally, the tub lasts me a good few months of daily use but it does depend slightly on how cold and wet it is. The brand says: "The non-greasy formula delivers intensive hydration improving your skin’s appearance and offering long-lasting protection." This is a sentiment I can certainly agree with.

The tub packaging is one of the few things about the product I'm not a huge fan of. While it's great being able to scoop out the last bit of product it never feels that hygienic compared to a squeezy tube.

If you are someone looking for a cream that still works well, l but does have a fragrance I also love Rituals hydra-boost complex Instant Care Hand Lotion £12.90. It is a thinner consistency with a light floral scent of lotus flowers and white tea.

Burts Bees Hand Salve, £11.99 on Amazon, for very dry hands is another product I'd recommend trying if you do not like the look of O'Keeffe's Working Hands. The nourishing hand balm leaves skin feeling soft and smooth and comes in a convenient tin.