Products
Hand creams are available in numerous varieties. As a rule, they are cosmetics and not drugs or medical devices. Hand creams are also often made by the customer. Popular ingredients include waxes such as wool wax (lanolin), fatty oils, shea butter and essential oils. See also under DIY medicines.
Structure and properties
Hand creams are semisolid preparations for external use, usually creams or ointments intended for application to the hands. The following is a small selection of possible ingredients:
- Fatty oils and fats: olive oil, almond oil, apricot oil, sea buckthorn oil, sunflower oil, argan oil, shea butter, coconut oil.
- Waxes: lanolin, beeswax, jojoba wax
- Water, thermal water
- Essential oils and their components such as limonene, geraniol.
- Ceramides
- Fatty acids: palmitic acid, stearic acid
- Vegetable extracts: chamomile extract, calendula extract.
- Alcohols, polyols: ethanol, glycerin, sorbitol.
- Keratolytics: Urea
- Hydrocarbons: petrolatum, kerosenes
- Numerous synthetic ingredients, e.g. macrogols (PEG).
- Emulsifiers: lecithin
- Flavorings
- Thickening agents: guar, xanthan gum
- Preservatives (eg benzoates), antioxidants.
- Vitamins: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, dexpanthenol
- Sunscreens: organic and inorganic photoprotective filters.
Some ingredients such as the parabens and hydrocarbons are controversial. We recommend hand creams with natural ingredients.
Effects
Hand creams have skin caring, protective, hydrating, antioxidant, antimicrobial, skin soothing, water repellent, nourishing and regenerating properties, among others. They make the skin supple, soft, resistant and moisturize it. The effects depend on the exact composition. Hand creams can also be effective against skin aging and age spots.
Fields of application
For the care, prevention and treatment of dry, cracked, stressed, rough, sensitive and diseased hands. Hand creams are used more often in winter due to the cold and dry air.
Dosage
Hand creams can be applied several times a day and spread on the skin of the hands. As a rule, only a little cream should be used, because otherwise the hands can become greasy (see below).
Adverse effects
Possible adverse effects include allergic reactions, intolerance reactions, and local skin reactions. Hand creams can make the skin greasy and oily, which may cause undesirable marks on surfaces and objects after contact. The smell and consistency can also be unpleasant, depending on the product and individual preferences.
