The £1.49 hand cream that beats its pricey rivals

Biting cold, central heating and constant washing to ward off winter bugs create the perfect conditions for chapped hands — and it can be even worse for people who suffer from eczema or other allergic skin conditions.

So which hand cream is best for problem skin? 

Dr Daniel Glass, a consultant dermatologist at both London North West Healthcare NHS Trust and The Dermatology Clinic, assesses some of the most popular brands. 

We then rated them, and found that you don’t have to spend a fortune for a good moisturiser — just £1.49 will do it.

Biting cold, central heating and constant washing to ward off winter bugs create the perfect conditions for chapped hands. So which hand cream is best for problem skin?

AVEENO HAND CREAM 

£3.66 for 75ml, Boots

The claim: Formulated with colloidal oatmeal (finely milled oats suspended in liquid so they can be applied to skin), this promises to moisturise for up to 24 hours.

• Is this the freakiest accident ever? Boy, 12, is left in…
  

  Six in ten bystanders won’t give a cardiac arrest victim…
  

  A blood test for cancer? Simple liquid biopsy could identify…
  

  Thousands of kids hospitalized with rashes, vomiting,…
  

VERDICT: 

As well as liquid paraffin and glycerin — known to moisturise — colloidal oatmeal has been shown in trials to improve dry and cracked skin. 

It appears to work by switching on genes responsible for maintaining a strong skin barrier, which we know becomes damaged in people with eczema and other allergic skin conditions.

Oats also have direct anti-inflammatory effects. 

9/10

CATH KIDSTON PAINTED ROSE

£12 for 100ml, ocado.com

The claim: A moisturising, rose-scented hand cream with shea butter, glycerin and enriched with a blend of vitamins, formulated using only natural ingredients — so no parabens, sulphates or colours.

VERDICT: 

Shea butter has proven moisturising benefits. Studies do show vitamin E, found in this cream, may promote wound healing.

However, this product also has a relatively long ingredient list with several potential allergens, in particular perfume, that can irritate the skin.

I recommend my patients with inflammatory skin rashes stick to simple products with as few ingredients as possible and always avoid anything perfumed. 

4/10

E45 REPAIR PROTECT OVERNIGHT

£4.19 for 50ml, Boots

The claim: A rich hand cream that contains vitamin B3 and claims to boost skin cell regeneration overnight.

VERDICT: The major ingredient is liquid paraffin, which helps improve the skin barrier — the dense layer of cells responsible for preventing water loss and acting as a defence against bacteria, irritants and allergens.

It also contains dimethicone, a silicon-based chemical that helps improve the texture of your skin, with glycerin, which acts as a ‘humectant’ — an ingredient that attracts water and helps skin retain moisture.

Vitamin B3 is thought to increase the skin’s production of ceramides — waxy molecules that improve skin hydration — and of collagen, the protein that keeps skin firm and elastic. 

In this way, it potentially could benefit skin cell regeneration.

The large proportion of liquid paraffin makes it a bit greasy, which may be one reason it’s advised for use overnight. 

8/10

EPADERM OINTMENT

£6.89 for 125g, Boots

The claim: A 3-in-1 ointment to be used directly on the skin, in the bath or as a cleanser. Ideal for very dry, cracked skin.

VERDICT: I often recommend this to my patients. It can be used as a cleanser as well as a moisturiser. 

People with dry, cracked hands should avoid normal soap as it typically contains a chemical called sodium lauryl sulphate, which is just too drying for their skin, and use something basic like this instead.

The only downside is it’s very greasy, which can leave hands shiny and slippery, so best to use in the evening. 

9/10

SKINCHEMISTS ADVANCED CAVIAR

£109 for 50ml, skinschemists.com

The claim: A caviar-containing cream that offers intense moisturising, while aiming to protect skin against harmful sun and other environmental stressors. 

Other ingredients include seaweed extract and coconut oil.

VERDICT: The caviar gives an oily, moisturising component but there’s no published data to show it is a better emollient than the liquid paraffin in other creams. 

I can see no real health reason for caviar in a hand cream. It has the longest list of ingredients here, and some of the chemicals listed may cause skin reactions. 

4/10

OILATUM

£6.29 for 150g, Boots

The claim: Specifically recommended to treat eczema, dermatitis and dry skin.

VERDICT: This is another product that I often recommend to patients. 

It contains liquid paraffin and white soft paraffin — both are rich sources of moisture and form a barrier on skin that prevents water loss.

It also contains glycerin, which helps skin retain moisture. A sensible buy that can be used day or night. 

9/10

NORWEGIAN FORMULA ANTI-AGEING, SPF25

£3.59 for 50ml, Boots

The claim: Promises intense moisture and protection and to achieve a visible reduction of any brown spots.

VERDICT: The skin on our hands is exposed to UV rays throughout the year, so the SPF25 in this will help protect against these and pigmentation.

Shea butter has also been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect. 

However, this cream does contain perfume, which is not recommended for sensitive skins or conditions such as eczema. 

6/10

VASELINE INTENSIVE CARE 2 IN 1 + ANTI-BAC

£3.49 for 75ml, superdrug.com

The claim: Moisturises hands deeply, with a proven anti-bacterial effect.

VERDICT: Reducing the number of bacteria on your hands may sound sensible — especially for people with eczema, which often leaves skin cracked and open to infection.

However, these anti-bacterial ingredients can also irritate the skin (and increase anti-bacterial resistance).

I don’t recommend my patients use anti-bacterial products with any regularity.

For those with eczema, simple handwashing should be enough to keep hands germ-free. 

3/10

BOOTS INTENSIVE FOR VERY DRY SKIN

£1.49 for 75ml, Boots

The claim: This is said to help relieve and nourish dry, chapped hands, and is fragrance-free.

VERDICT: As well as glycerin and liquid paraffin, which should improve the skin barrier and moisture levels, this is a decent, simple and cost-effective cream — the cheapest we looked at — and should moisturise dry hands reasonably effectively without causing irritation.

However, those with diagnosed eczema would be better off using a more targeted treatment, such as Oilatum. 

8/10