The harsh effects of cold winter weather can leave fingers and palms rough and sore, so it’s no surprise that your hands might be looking a little worse for wear right now. 

“The wind and the cold, dry temperatures of winter strip the skin of its natural protective oils and moisture. It’s caused by vasoconstriction – the narrowing of blood vessels, which reduces blood supply to extremities like our hands,” says Dr Aamer Khan, the co-founder of Harley Street Skin.

Inevitably, we reach for the nearest hand cream. But how can you tell if your cream is anything more than pretty packaging? And will it leave a greasy residue, making it impossible to use your phone?

Using my ridiculously dry and dermatitis-ridden hands, I’ve tried and tested the best hand creams that nourish, soothe, hydrate cuticles and leave skin feeling silky soft. Here are the hand cream formulas I’ve found that really work. 

Images: courtesy of brands