The secret behind beautiful hands

Why is a hand cream important for skin care?

The skin on the hands, especially on the palms, is very thin and delicate and has virtually no natural protection. As a result, it can age prematurely and become unattractive, wrinkled and cracked. 

A hand cream helps to provide moisture and nutrients to your hands. This cosmetic product nourishes and cares for the skin and protects it from harmful environmental effects and UV radiation. 

A good hand cream can even slow down the aging process of skin structures. This type of cosmetic should not contain ingredients that disturb the skin’s natural balance or harm health.

What types of hand creams are there?

All hand creams fall into certain categories and the type of cream you choose should match your skin’s current needs. 

The moisturising cream is a must-have for everyone – without exception. It prevents moisture loss from the skin, delivers intensive hydration and firms the skin. Because of its light texture the cream absorbs quickly, helps prevent wrinkles and is ideal for the warmer seasons. 

The nourishing cream has a denser, richer texture and provides intensive care, which is especially important for very dry skin. This cream is mainly used in the cold season. 

The regenerating cream provides therapeutic multi-action: it regenerates, nourishes and soothes damaged skin and makes the hands supple. 

The anti-age cream prevents wrinkles and premature skin ageing and, with regular use, leaves your skin supple, smooth and soft. 

The protective cream is the most important help in cold weather: it protects the skin from frost and frostbite, cares for cracked skin and soothes irritation.

Which ingredients make a hand cream effective?

The effectiveness of a hand cream depends largely on its composition. Every hand cream is made up of 60–70% water, to which glycerin, lanolin and vegetable oils are usually added. This is essentially the “base” of the hand cream and other components are added depending on the type of cream.

The primary role of the base oils such as jojoba oil, almond oil and coconut oil is to moisturise the skin and make it soft. Hand creams also contain various emollients that complement the action of the base oils. Emollient ingredients in hand creams include cocoa butter and shea butter, natural beeswax and lanolin. 

How do plant ingredients and vitamins work in hand creams?

Plant ingredients such as chamomile, aloe vera or calendula also contribute to the regeneration of the skin and give the cream a pleasant, natural scent. 

Vitamins such as vitamin A and vitamin E protect against environmental influences and internal oxidants that accelerate skin ageing. Elastin and collagen can not only reduce small wrinkles, but also keep the skin supple for a long time and help prevent ageing. 

Which ingredients should be avoided in hand creams?

Ingredients that are not necessary for the effectiveness of a hand cream include various preservatives, colourants and fragrances. These substances are responsible for maintaining the quality and commercial appearance of the hand cream.

More than just care – how hand cream becomes a daily feel‑good ritual

• Choose a cream that matches your skin type. For dry hands, opt for intensely moisturising and nourishing formulas. Examples include iris extract, aloe vera extract, shea butter, sesame oil and vitamins.
• For signs of ageing, sagging skin and wrinkles, choose a cream with an anti-age effect.
• A cream should be not only effective but also pleasant to use. Choose a product with a light, fast-absorbing texture.
• The cream should not leave a greasy residue on the skin but should absorb quickly without shining or feeling sticky.
• A cream may be tempting because of its pleasant texture and delicate scent, striking packaging design or a well-known brand name. But if it is not the right cream for you, skip the purchase.
• Choose a cream according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. The recommended age range is usually indicated on cosmetic packaging. The idea that a cream for older skin will give faster and more visible results is wrong. You may only harm your skin that way.
• In winter, favour creams with a firmer texture that are rich in oils, glycerin and many vitamins. Cold, dry winter air often severely dehydrates the skin. It is therefore important to nourish, hydrate and protect the hands.
• In summer, prefer lighter and more fluid creams. These contain ingredients that balance the natural pH, retain moisture in the skin structures and provide higher sun protection. Examples include hyaluronic acid, sun filters and panthenol (vitamin B5).
• Avoid products containing ingredients that are not good for your skin. Silicones and mineral oils do create an artificial barrier to retain more moisture, but they also form a film that blocks skin breathing and clogs pores. Synthetic fragrances and colourants are also not good for the skin.
• Apply your hand cream correctly. To improve blood circulation, gently massage the cream from the nails towards the wrist. If any residues remain after rubbing in, dab them off with a dry cloth.
• You can make a natural hand cream yourself. For this you need shea or cocoa butter, coconut oil, a nourishing oil (almond oil, olive oil or jojoba oil) and an essential oil for fragrance (lemon, orange, lavender, mint or eucalyptus). Note that a homemade cream is only short‑lived.
• Whichever cream you choose, you can expect good results only with regular use.

Pamper your hands with a good hand cream and they will always be beautiful, soft and well cared for!