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How do I Choose the Best Hand Lotion?
With so many different hand lotions on the market today, it is sometimes hard to decide which product would be best for your needs. Fortunately, there is a way to narrow the field a bit and focus your attention on lotions that will do exactly what you need them to do. Here are some tips on how to find the best hand lotion for you.
One of the first factors to consider is what you want to accomplish with the hand lotion. Perhaps your hands are rough and dried out from the soap you use at work. If that is the case, you want to look at lotions that are designed to replace lost moisture as well as maintain a proper balance of moisture. Lotions of this type often contain ingredients that are ideal for softening the skin while also re-hydrating the hands and preventing the pain that comes from cracked and peeling knuckles.
If your hands are beginning to show liver spots or other signs of aging, you may want to look into a medicated lotion that includes some type of anti-wrinkling properties. The ingredients will help to fade the liver spots, making them less apparent. At the same time, the components of the anti-wrinkle lotion will help the skin to appear more taut and toned, allowing your hands to recapture a more youthful appearance.
Another way to deal with liver spots is to go with a tinted hand lotion. Slightly colored to match a variety of skin tones, the lotion can help the spots to blend into the hue of the skin, making them less obvious.
For people who are outside most of the day, using a lotion that provides some amount of sun protection is important. This is especially true if it is not feasible to wear a sunscreen product. The hand lotion will seep into the skin and provide some amount of protection from the harsh effects of direct sunlight without the greasiness that is common with suntan lotions.
There is also the matter of whether you want a heavy scent, a light scent, or no scent at all. Fortunately, there are products to accommodate each preference. Keep in mind that unscented lotions will not clash with your choice of perfume or cologne. Lightly scented hand lotion is a good option if you want to go with something very subtle. A heavily scented lotion is ideal only if you want to draw attention to your hands.
Many people prefer to minimize their exposure to products with a lot of synthetic components. If you fall into this category, buying a natural hand lotion would be a good option. You can find many products that use a base of aloe vera and natural oils with only a minimum of preservatives in the formula. It is also possible to purchase completely organic hand lotion products at many health food stores and vitamin shops.
Depending on the type of hand lotion you prefer, you may be able to purchase the ideal product in a supermarket, discount retail store, or pharmacy with ease. Some brands are cost very little, while special formulas can be quite expensive. Before making a purchase of any hand cream or lotion, know what you want from the product and how much you are willing to spend.
Discussion Comments
L'occitane shea butter and eucerin creams and Atrixo regenerative hand creams are the best I have tried. I'm a nurse and wash my hands constantly. Also worth a mention is The Body Shop's hemp cream, (if you can tolerate the smell) but it is very effective.
@watson42, you make a good point. I knew a girl in high school who was suffering from bad dry skin one winter. She went to a dermatologist, who gave her a vaseline lotion- and she had an allergic reaction. She had been using it for a few days, hoping it would help, and it only got worse, leading her to return to the doctor and determine her allergy. Even dermatologists cannot tell you when something might cause a reaction, so it is important to pay attention to what irritates your skin, and what ingredients are in things that do.
One other thing not really mentioned in this article, relating to both ingredients and fragrance, is the issue of allergens. If you are allergic to a lot of things, many lotions might cause a reaction, particularly those which have a scent; however, many mainstream brands do make sensitive skin and fragrance-free options. This is also another reason to consider all-natural products. There are many options out there, and it's important to consider a few when deciding what you like best.
Seed Healthy Hand Cream is by far the best I’ve ever used. It has 100 percent natural ingredients, and it makes my skin feel wonderful. Not greasy at all.
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