Hand Creams

It's best avoided as a regular substitute for facial moisturiser. Hand creams are formulated for the thicker, tougher skin on your hands and can feel heavy or clog pores on the more delicate skin of your face. For everyday facial hydration, a dedicated facial moisturiser is a better fit, though a small amount of hand cream on an occasional dry patch, away from the eyes, shouldn't cause harm.

You can. Hand creams are generally rich enough to use on other rough or dry areas of the body, such as elbows, knees and heels. They're not usually designed to be spread over large areas cost-effectively though, so for all-over hydration, a body moisturiser or lotion is more practical, with hand cream reserved for targeting the driest patches.

Yes. Most hand creams have a shelf life of around 12 to 36 months once opened, shown as a small jar symbol with a number followed by "M" on the packaging (its period-after-opening, or PAO). Beyond this, the formula can separate, change texture or smell, and become less effective. Store your hand cream in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to help it last as long as possible.

Frequent hand washing and alcohol gel use can leave healthcare workers' hands especially prone to dryness and irritation, so a fragrance-free, fast-absorbing hand cream is usually recommended so it doesn't interfere with gloves or PPE. Aveeno Daily Moisturising Hand Cream is a good option here, as its clinically proven, unperfumed formula absorbs quickly without leaving hands greasy.

Yes. The skin on your feet, particularly the heels, is thicker than on your hands and can benefit from a rich, hydrating cream. Aveeno Hand Skin Relief is formulated to relieve very dry, rough skin and works well on feet too, though for stubborn cracked heels a dedicated foot cream with a higher concentration of urea may give better results.

Fragrance-free, clinically proven formulas are generally better tolerated by eczema-prone skin, as added fragrance is a common irritant. Aveeno Hand Skin Relief is designed to soothe and relieve dry, itchy skin. For hands that are cracked, inflamed or not improving with a standard hand cream, you can consider a dedicated eczema treatments or speaking to a pharmacist.

Regular moisturising is the simplest way to help keep the skin on your hands looking and feeling its best, as it supports the skin barrier and helps reduce the appearance of dryness and fine lines. A hand cream used consistently, ideally after every hand wash, does more for the look and feel of ageing hands than an occasional application of a specialist product.