Most of us try and take care of our skin on our faces and our bodies, but what about our hands? Some use any old one-size-fits-all moisturiser to apply on and take minimal care of them, others find that there’s no point smearing any cream because it will either be rubbed or washed off, while most of us just plain forget about them. Your palms, thumbs, digits and also mind deserve better. Using hand creams not only target and deal with specific concerns of the skin on your hands (it tends to be rougher, drier, or has a possible different condition than that of your face or body, so, no, your face moisturiser or body lotion doesn’t necessarily work for your hands), but can also help you protect and nourish your “claws” better for prettier paws.
And, what of your mind, then? It is well known that smells do affect our mood, so using scented hand creams can help with boosting our energy levels, calming us or letting us feel just that little bit happier – it’s inevitable that we will sniff a whiff while we weave our hands around as we go about our day. Not convinced? Then try these 5 scented hand creams to see how a little moisturising magic can work wonders for your hands and on your mind.
Energizing Raspberry Peppermint Hand Cream (30ml), $8, Yves Rocher
This is a little life hack that beauty insiders know about. Sometimes, when you are experiencing the midday slump while working, you can actually kill two birds with one stone by applying some hand cream, to keep your extremities protected and moisturised, with the scent from the product helping to wake you up. This one is bound to do both, pretty well; it’s got peppermint essential oil so it brings about a shot of freshness and boost your alertness, coupled with the fruity tang of raspberry extract for that extra delish perfumed perk-me-up. The beauty bit comes from these two ingredients plus the ever dependable fair trade, organic shea butter, with the formulation being mineral oil and paraben free, and vegan (meaning its made without animal derivatives). And, if you really want to be fully charged up throughout the day, you can layer it up with the body lotion and shower gel from the same fragrance range and top up with this hand cream wherever, whenever, since it comes in an easy-to-port-around 30ml tube.
Available at Yves Rocher stores, multiple locations, www.facebook.com/yvesrochersingapore; www.instagram.com/yvesrochersg
BONUS: SAFRA members receive 15% off regular-priced products storewide at Yves Rocher. Click here for more information.
Hand Care Set (3 bottles, 40ml each), $45, Molton Brown
Why we recommend this box set: It features a bundle of three different hand creams (so you have a personal variety or the option to share with family members), with each coming in 40ml tubes (so they are easy to use when you’re on-the-go). Pick any one of the three scented creams to use, according to your mood of the day: Fiery Pink Pepper (pink pepper, ginger and patchouli), Orange & Bergamot (Mandarin, neroli and musk) or Heavenly Gingerlily (ginger, tuberose, lily, sandalwood). All are enriched with shea butter and plant seed oils such as meadowfoam and sunflower, to help condition and nourish equally well.
Available at Lookfantastic
BONUS: SAFRA members receive 25% off regular-priced products and up to 30% off men’s products at Lookfantastic. Click here and here, respectively, for more information.
Calming Hand Balm (100ml), $36, NEOM
Stressed out, frustrated or tensed up with the whole WFH or HBL arrangement because your home’s not exactly the most conducive work or study environment? Keep calm, dab some balm and carry on. How to use this: Squeeze a pea-sized amount onto the palm of your hand, cup and warm the product with both hands, before massaging it into the skin. Following which, cup your hands over your nose and mouth, breathe in through your nose for 7 seconds, then out through your mouth for 11 seconds. Its blend of lavender, jasmine and sandalwood essential oils should help to ease your mind, while the cocoa and shea butter contained within should help to soften your hands and smooth out the rest of your day.
Available at Lookfantastic
BONUS: SAFRA members receive 25% off regular-priced products and up to 30% off men’s products at Lookfantastic. Click here and here, respectively, for more information.
Hand Salve (85g), $22, Burt’s Bees
Not fond of the usual sweet, floral or fruit scented hand creams? Here’s one that won’t be too cloying for you. Touted as a “salvation for rough, dry hands” and “a farmer’s friend”, this is the U.S. brand’s most intensive hand treatment compacted into a nifty tin. The 100% natural salve’s loaded with botanical oils (olive oil’s a key ingredient), herbs and beeswax to aid those of us with roughened and toughened paws. Its herbal scent should appeal to everyone regardless of gender, and is best applied before and after outdoor activities such as gardening or hand-related sports to protect and soothe your industrious hands.
Available at VIIMART
BONUS: SAFRA members receive 10% off with minimum $60 spend (for new VIIMART customers) and 10% off with no minimum spend (for existing VIIMART customers), and also $30 off $150 site-wide at VIIMART. Click here and here, respectively for more information.
The Ritual Of Jing Hand Lotion (70ml), $23, Rituals
Amsterdam-based beauty brand Rituals is not about skin-deep feels – “we’re not here to sell you beauty, we are here to make you feel good” is one of its company statements – but finding happiness in small moments. In the case of this product, it’s about enabling you to relax. So find your inner peace when you enrobe your hands in this lightly scented sacred lotus floral lotion, enriched with jujube (or Chinese red date) to help reduce stress. All you need is to massage the lotion lovingly into your hands during your little breaks during work or before you hit the sheets at night to best experience its gentle, calming effects. Of course, it’s swell that the lotion also hydrates and nourishes dry skin while you sleep.
Available at VIIMART
BONUS: SAFRA members receive 10% off with minimum $60 spend (for new VIIMART customers) and 10% off with no minimum spend (for existing VIIMART customers), and also $30 off $150 site-wide at VIIMART. Click here and here, respectively for more information.
Featured image: Shutterstock
