While the coronavirus spins seemingly out of control across the globe, it doesn’t feel like there’s much we can do to stop it. But there are a few things we can do to help slow the spread – including washing our hands more frequently, for at least 20 seconds (or two rounds of Happy Birthday). While all that handwashing may be helping prevent the spread of Covid-19, it’s also probably drying the heck out of your skin. Counter all that harsh water and soap with these lush, moisture-boosting lotions that can help rehydrate your hands and provide a few moments of soothing respite.
Edible Beauty Australia’s Precious Sea Hand Saviour ($18)
This Australian brand’s hand cream amps up the moisture factor with fermented seaweed extract, which is said to rebuild and repair skin tissue. Not only will it heal damaged skin, it’s also cruelty-free and injected with delicious-smelling botanicals and fruits, such as mangosteen, parsley seed oil and sunflower seed.
Mukti’s Botanique Lotion ($21.95)
This nourishing hand cream (packaged in recyclable PET plastic) is made from organic ingredients such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, Kakadu plum oil, shea butter and sandalwood seed, as well as aloe vera to sooth sore skin. Mukti is based on the Sunshine Coast, and its vegan skincare range draws on native Australian ingredients.
Lanolips’s Milk & Honey Hand Cream ($16.95)
Anyone who’s ever coated their lips in Lanolips’s cult lip balm can attest to its ultra-hydrating powers, thanks to the main ingredient: lanolin. The Aussie brand’s new hand cream combines that super ingredient with milk and honey for a moisture boost, without the greasy finish you often find with other lotions. (It also comes in rose, “coconutter” and “lemonaid”.)
Ecoya’s Hand and Body Lotion ($24.95)
Serial moisturisers, this one’s for you. Ecoya’s hand and body lotion comes in 450 millilitre bottles, so it’ll see you through plenty of post-handwashing moisturising sessions. The cream comes in a bunch of scents with ingredients that’d also go well in a G&T: sweet pea and jasmine; lotus flower; guava and lychee; french pear; coconut and elderflower. They all come with a stack of hardworking oils and vitamin E, so your hands will end up baby-bum-smooth.
Jurlique’s Rose Hand Cream ($29)
Jurlique’s rose hand cream is an oldie but a goodie. The thick formula loads up your digits with moisturiser, but it soaks in quickly so you can get back to your isolation reading, stat, without getting the pages greasy. The light rose scent comes from flowers grown in South Australia, and it’s also packed with other hydrating ingredients such as safflower seed oil, macadamia seed oil and soybean oil.
Aesop’s Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm ($33)
If you’re going to be stuck indoors for the next few months, you may as well make sure your space is as aesthetically pleasing as it is functional. Same goes for the hand cream you’ll be using. Aesop’s products look handsome on your shelves, and do what they say on the tin (or tube, as it were). In this case, the Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm offers a soothing salve for increased levels of handwashing, with mandarin rind oil, coconut oil and macadamia seed oil to nourish your mitts. Consider making a long-haul investment with a 500 millilitre bottle ($105) – it should see you through winter, at least.
