Because you can't have depths without surfaces.
Linda Grant, thinking about clothes, books and other matters.
Pure Collection Ltd.
Net-a-porter UK

Saturday 23 February 2008

Hand-cream: readers, please recommend

I am nearly out of my ruinously expensive Creme de la Mer hand-cream and if there's one thing I like to have on long-haul flights it's plenty of hand-cream. So I need to make a purchase at Heathrow duty free on Monday morning, and will accept recommendations.

If you know a fabulous drug store brand only available in the US, do tell, others may take advantage where I cannot.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

I like French drug store brands but my favourite hand cream is Dermalogica's as there is no hint of greasiness after application. Doubt that it's available in DF though, sorry.

You could just buy a replacement CdM in duty free. UK duty free prices tend to be cheaper than regular retail in the US and are certainly the cheapest in the UK, with the possible exception of those in the Estée Lauder company store in Marylebone High Street.

Linda Grant said...

I have a feeling that the last time I tried to buy some CdM hand-cream at Heathrow Terminal Four they told me that they didn't sell it, either that or they had run out. Surprised that it would be cheaper than US retail, because there's a really steep price difference between CdM here, and there.

Anonymous said...

L'Occitane makes a wonderful shea butter ahnd cream in a tube.

Anonymous said...

I like L'Occitane's...

Anonymous said...

In the US you can pick-up Neutrogena Swedish Formula (often recommended by dermatologists) and Curel Targeted Therapy Hand & Cuticle Cream. Both cost under US$6 and are greasless and leave skin looking smooth and feeling super-soft.

Anonymous said...

Yes, L'occitane's lotions are wonderful.

swyatt said...

I use an Australian brand Aesop's ,Resurrection hand cream , which smells of rosemary, mandarin and cedarwood. Overnight I slather my hands in another Australian product Lucas' Pawpaw ointment which you can buy in any chemist in Australia very cheaply.It is an Aussie womans handbag staple and is also a great lipbalm.

Anonymous said...

I have two favorites: Ahava Dermud hand & body creams, and Crabtree & Evelyn Gardener's Hand Therapy. C&E has a nice herbal smell and moisturizes without oiliness. Ahava smells, I am told, like the Dead Sea, which scent becomes slightly addicting, and is intensely moisturizing.

I have no idea if these are sold in airports or duty-free shops, but, while they are not drugstore priced, they are not CdM priced either.

Unknown said...

Palmer's cocoa butter, surely. And not just for the hands. I can't imagine ever using anything else.

Anonymous said...

The best hand cream, hands down, has to be Clarins, hand and nail treatment. One of the most expensive duty is free's in the world is the UK, Finland being the best stocked and best priced.(Sorry if I offend). However Clarins is well priced everywhere. At duty free it's about 17 Euros or less and 28 dollars at major US department stores. I have tried just about every line there is , as I am a product junky. Try it, let me know what you think. L'occitanne is great but the smell, the smell...

D said...

the absolutely BEST hand cream is Aveda Hand Relief - i use it after everytime i wash my hands and i keep it by my bed. I give it as a gift to all my friends and family and to the ladies at my daughters school. they all love it too!

melbournegirl said...

I must agree with Anonymous, L'Occitane's Shea Butter hand cream is very good. In the USA, try to purchase Lollia Breathe (peony and white lily, shea butter)hand cream. It is a dream cream. You can also purchase Lollia during your Melbourne visit.

Anonymous said...

Why don't you just get yourself some vaseline intensive care hand and nail everyday lotion. No nosense, no fuss, cheap, smells comforting and has made my soft nails much harder.

Anonymous said...

I love Dr. Hauschka's rose-scented hand cream -- very pure and it smells beautiful. It's about $24 at Whole Foods or Pharmaca.

Anonymous said...

Kiehls - Ultimate Strength Hand Salve

Anonymous said...

The absolute best product for dry, cracked skin is O'Keeffe's Working Hands. During the winter my hands used to crack and bleed...until I found this product. After using O'Keeffe's for several days the splits began to close up and within two weeks my hands were completely healed! I have tried every product on the market and this is the only one I've found that actually HEALS damaged skin. Additionally, O'Keeffe's is affordable and lasts a long time. I recommend this product to anyone who has ever had painful splits in their hands or fingers. I believe the product is manufactured in Oregon--and there is a wonderful story behind the invention of the hand creme :) www.okeeffescompany.com