For years now I've constantly struggled to find a hand cream that actually does what it claims to. I've been using a hand cream that boasts to moisturise even after you've washed your hands - it's complete rubbish. As soon as I wash them, the silky smooth feeling that came with the handcream is down the sink and my skin looks cracked, dry and a complete state once more!
As of late my last lip balm had stopped having its desired effects as well. So recently I've been in a pretty poor state skinwise, ha! However having spoken with Gemma from Anderra and doing further research since I've discovered that many hand creams and lip balms on the market don't do their jobs because there are certain ingredients in them that only produce false or short-lived effects.
Take a look at the labels and see if you recognise any of the below:
Petrolatum or Petroleum
You may recognise this ingredient because it's the basis to Vaseline - something I've seen nearly every girl slather on hands, elbows, eyelids and lips. All this ingredient does is seal moisture out, it doesn't provide moisture to the skin whatsoever. Meanwhile it also seals out oxygen preventing skin from breathing and traps in toxins - not really what you want from a moisturiser!
It's added to cosmetics to make you think that it's doing its job when in fact once you wash it off the effects are gone. Further research shows that petroleum, like petrol, is carcenogenic. Remind me why we use this so enthusiastically?! I once opened an ancient tub of Vaseline at home a few years ago and remember it smelt like a petrol station. Trust me if you smelt an out-of-date tub/tin you'd think twice about using it anywhere on your body. I've therefore never felt compelled to use this. Ever.
Mineral Oil
This is a by-product of petroleum, therefore having the same effects and incurring the same problems. If it's in your hand cream and you're wondering why it's not really working for you, it's because mineral oil is simply greasy, but it has no benefit like bringing moisture to your skin.
Propylene Glycol
Another by-product from petroleum posing the same problems as the ingredients listed above.
Camphor, Menthol, Phenol
Added to lip balms for a cooling effect so you think that they're soothing the sore, chapped sensation you suffer in times of cold weather. You feel a tingling but all the ingredient is doing is drying out your skin further. So you reapply, reapply and reapply. Oh and then run out so you buy more of the product sooner. Clever maths from cosmetic companies...
Salicylic Acid
If you think you've seen this in acne treatments and skin care products for oily skins, you'd be right. It's a great exfoliant and is intended to dry skin rather than add moisture. Believe it or not though, this ingredient is added a-plenty to lip balms, drying and peeling your lips as you wear it.
Fragrance
Some fragrance, whilst nice for the senses, can dry out the skin, especially when combined with alcohol. If you have sensitive skin, fragrance can also irritate it. If you can overcome the temptation to have your lip balm or hand cream smell of fruits or an equally delicious scent then opt for the fragrance-free variety - it will be much gentler in the long-run.
Silicone Oil
This ingredient's added to glosses, lip balms and even lipsticks to make them stay put for longer and prevent pigment in tinted lip moisturiser, lip gloss, or lipstick from transferring. But like mineral oil it too locks out moisture and doesn't provide any benefit to your skin.
The Alternatives?
What then, do you use if your lip balm or hand cream has any of these ingredients? I've come up with a list of products for you to look into as great alternatives that will cure you of your dry-skinned woes without the nasty side-effects and many are even multi-purpose giving you more for your money:
Badger Balm Healing Balm
This one's perfect for people who work outdoors or who, like me, suffer from chapped, dry hands in the depths of winter. Full of wonderful ingredients like Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Beeswax it will provide the natural solution to your skin's upsets. Use it as a lip balm or moisturise with it, it really is multi-purpose because the ingredients are so safe and natural! This balm smells great too and comes in a massive tub - you can take a look here.
Alba Un-Petroleum Lip Balm & Multi-purpose Jelly
If you can't go a day without your Vaseline why not switch to Un-Petroleum lip balm? It's completely petroleum, petrolatum, paraffin and mineral oil-free making it much safer and does a much more effective job too : ) It also comes in a variety of scents including Cherry, Tangerine and Vanilla. The multi-purpose jelly can also be used to remove makeup as well as soothe and cure dry skin. Find more details at www.unpetroleum.com
Steam Cream
I haven't tried this myself, but word on the street is this is the new craze in skincare. It's becoming vastly popular because it provides much more effective moisturisation due to the way it's produced. Because of the use of steam in the manufacturing process, the emulsion is held together very loosely so that when you apply it to your skin it breaks down faster allowing for better absorption into the skin.
If that's not enough, each pot only costs £9.95 and also comes in many pretty boxes of different designs: you choose which one you prefer - it makes beautifying more fun and colourful! Not only is it safe for hands, you can use it on your face and body. You can browse and find out more here.
Lush Lip Balms
Last weekend I bought the Christmas edition lip balm 'Let Them Eat Cake'. It smells like toffee, vanilla or even Sailor Jerry's - when I use it you can smell it across the room - my boyfriend can tell when I've put it on, people ask me what it is all the time and the smell lingers long after you've left a room.
The great thing is that the fragrance is derived from completely natural ingredients - if you can smell sherry, it's because there's sherry in the lip balm. And vanilla absolute. But instead of useless, cheating mineral oils this beauty saviour has organic olive oil in it - a favourite natural moisturiser, hoorah! This one comes thoroughly recommended (I bought two pots to see me through the year). Get yourself down to your local Lush store or shop online at www.lush.co.uk
Green People Help At Hand
For those of you who like your hand creams to do their job but not be heavy or greasy this one is the answer. This light hand cream contains Geranium and Lavender to help your skin return to its former glory. This one's completely organic and is free from all preservatives and other synthetic ingredients. You can find out more at Green People. As testament to its effectiveness, this is out of stock until January on Green People's website! If you want some now however you can find it on other online stores like There Must Be A Better Way.
Lush Helping Hands
This hand cream is also ideal at this time of year because of its ultra soothing and nourishing ingredients. A popular product among nurses and those who work outside due to all of their exposure to detergent and the great outdoors. Many claim this to be their saving grace when all other hand creams couldn't even come close. Coming in at only £5.94 a pot I think that it's at least worth a go. Try www.lush.co.uk to get your hands on some or pop in-store for a sample!
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