If there is one thing that you will always, and I mean always find in my handbag, is hand cream. You can call me the hand cream connoisseur. I have tried all kinds, so I’m happy to share my favourites with you. Some may not be the best hand cream for damaged skin as this article focuses mostly on nails. However, all the hand creams listed here have moisturising properties that benefit both your skin and nails.
1. The Body Shop Shea Hand Balm (£7)
This is one of those hand creams that I seriously want to say is a dupe for the L’occitane hand cream, but I have yet to find an inexpensive hand cream that is an exact dupe. However, this body shop hand cream is a close contender.
It is thick yet it has a lightweight feel on the skin, and it is non-greasy. This hand cream, marketed as a balm is very moisturising and it helps to soften my cuticles. Although this hand cream isn’t marketed to specifically help heal nails, its properties also benefit your nails. For example, it has shea butter which helps to heal your cuticles and promote stronger nail growth.
My only con, which isnt an issue for me but may be an issue for others is that it has a strong scent. Fragrance isnt even in the top 5 ingredients on the list, yet it has a strong scent (which I like) and is long-lasting.
The 30 ml version of this hand cream is £7, and the 100 ml is £15 at Sephora. I buy the 30 ml because I usually wear a small handbag.
2. Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand and Nail Cream (£4.50)
This is one of my favourite hand creams for the winter season. Unfortunately for me, it isnt just my knuckles and between my fingers that get dry during winter, my cuticles suffer too. This hand cream is thick but non-greasy, so even if I do reapply it doesn’t feel sticky but since it’s so thick I don’t usually reapply unless I wash my hands twice.
Neutrogena claims that this hand cream strengthens your nails, I didn’t notice this. However, it softens my cuticles after a week of use. I also usually get this hand cream on sale on the Sephora site, Boots or Amazon, and it lasts me just over a month (I use the hand cream at least 3x daily).
3. N7 Protect and Perfect Intense Advanced Daily Handcream SPF 15 (£13)
Okay, so I was iffy about adding this hand cream here because it is not as inexpensive as the previously added hand creams. However, for a hand cream with SPF, this is one of the most inexpensive options I have used.
This N7 hand cream also has shea butter as its second ingredient, which is a key ingredient in reversing damaged nails. So, if you are looking for a hand cream with anti-ageing properties and the ingredients to help your damaged nails. This N7 hand cream is a great option.
I liked this hand cream, but I did not repurchase it simply because I did not find it moisturising enough for me as I kinda like a slightly oily feeling. But if you do not like that feeling at all but still want moisturised hands and avoid sun damage, I would go for this hand cream.
4. Nivea Smooth Hands and Nail Care (£6.55)
This one is a classic and a staple of mine for many years now. This hand cream is the type of hand cream that I would recommend for anyone who has severely dry knuckles and cuticles because it almost immediately softens your skin.
This is a thick formula, and it has that classic and comforting Nivea smell. I like this, and I tend to purchase these in bulk to pop them into several of my handbags. This is by far the most inexpensive hand cream for damaged nails on this list. I added this one last because it’s a classic, and even if you prefer the previously mentioned hand creams, you should have this one with you as a backup.
I will say, if you are not a fan of fragrance in your hand products, then I would give this one a pass. But it does have shea butter too which is amazing at fixing damaged nails, and it noticeably softens your hands in less than a week.
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