How often do you use hand cream? Are your hands starting to look older than your face? Editor Trudi Brewer has done her fair share of shopping for a kick-butt hand cream; she has found an investment in your hands that does way more than moisturise. Read on to learn more.
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When it comes to skincare products, our hands are often seriously overlooked. But actually, they show signs of ageing just as quickly as our complexion, with sun spots and thinning skin that show veins, which become more prominent as we have more birthdays. One hand cream with rave reviews in the UK is No7 Pure Retinol Hand Cream, available exclusively at Life Pharmacy. Allow me to unpack why I am joining the fan club.
No7 Pure Retinol Hand Cream, 75mls, $35
First, like all No7 skincare, the ingredients in this brand are backed by science and dermatologist-tested. The star ingredient is pure retinol. Quick science lesson: Retinol is the gold standard in skincare. In a nutshell, retinol is a powerful member of the family of vitamin A-based ingredients called retinoids. Within the family, there are milder versions (for instance, retinyl palminate). Famous for effectively reducing the seven key signs of ageing. Wrinkles, sagging, dullness, dryness, age spots, uneven texture, and the worst thinning or crepey skin. But here’s the kicker: The retinol in this hand cream has also been formulated to minimise any redness or irritation, which is often associated with this anti-ageing ingredient.
Why do I like it?
So how does it improve the look of your hands? It gently exfoliates to reduce signs of ageing, and there is a good combo of nourishing panthenol, ceramides and glycerin. By the way, ceramides are an important part of our natural skin barrier, locking moisture in and nasties out. But what really makes me rate this hand cream is that it contains peptides. The tiny skin messages that trick our skin into behaving younger. While the world of peptides is broad and diverse, all are composed of amino acids naturally present in our skin. Some of them work as natural antibiotics, promote wound healing, and stimulate collagen production. Peptides also help restore the skin barrier, fight the signs of ageing, and act as humectants, attracting water to the upper layer of the skin, boosting hydration. While it's labelled as a hand cream for me, for me, it’s so much more, and my hands drink it up. It sinks in fast and boasts a rich consistency that spreads like butter. It’s fragrance-free, which I prefer. Also, love a tube. It’s ideal for the handbag and car console, and when it runs out, you can fold down the tube to get every last drop, like toothpaste. Finally, I don’t need to reapply it every time I wash my hands; they still feel so hydrated, which is huge for me since I love gardening and I have very dry hands. Impressed, hell yeah!
Read our honest review.