What are the best hand cream ingredients for soft, healthy hands?
Take a minute to stop what you are doing. Look at your hands. Are they radiant, soft, and healthy looking? Our hands work hard and sometimes it shows.
Many people work in professions where frequent hand-washing in a must. Those in medical professions, for example, wash their hands before and after each new patient. Preschool and daycare workers are constantly washing their hands. Hair stylists frequently have their hands immersed in water. This causes the skin to become dehydrated. That is why using a hand cream is so important.
Are you a gardener like I am? Between hands being in the earth and the frequent hand washing, skipping hand cream is simply not an option. Why is it, then, that so many people do not see lasting improvement in the condition of their skin with their current hand cream? It could be the ingredients.
Using an effective hand cream can help soften, nourish, soothe, and protect the skin, working to replenish lost moisture. The ingredients in hand creams can vary wildly. Most hand creams on the market contain dimethicone, which I would very briefly like to address.
Dimethicone forms a barrier — it is a polymer. In other words, it forms an artificial coating over your skin. Now think about this. If you are, day in and day out, applying a product that leaves an artificial coating to your skin, it will eventually wreak havoc on your skin.
This happens because everyday dirt, bacteria, sweat, etc. gets trapped underneath that barrier. This creates the perfect opportunity for breakouts and skin irritation to occur. It also inhibits something vital: the natural process of dead skin cells shedding. If your skin cells aren’t shedding, they are collecting.
The result?
Well, when used regularly, dimethicone can cause patches of uneven texture and tone, dryness, skin congestion, and flaking. This creates a vicious cycle. Your skin starts looking dry and dull, so you apply MORE of the product causing the problem to begin with.
Today, we are looking at 2 popular hand creams on the market and examining their ingredients. Let's take a look.
Crabtree and Evelyn Gardener's Ultra Moisturizing Hand Therapy
Water (Aqua)(Eau), Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Zea Mays (corn) Starch, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii (shea) Butter, Isopropyl Myristate, Saccharide Isomerate, Rosmarinus Officinalis (rosemary) Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis (sage) Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus (cucumber) Fruit Extract, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Polysorbate 60, Sucrose Stearate, Arginine, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Sucrose Tristearate, Fragrance (parfum), Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Caprylyl Methicone, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycereth-2 Cocoate, Commiphora Myrrha Resin Extract, Ceramide Np, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Ceramide Ap, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Caprylyl Glycol, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Butylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Tocotrienols, Tocopherol, Elaeis Guineensis (palm) Oil, Ceramide Eop, Squalane, Disodium Edta, Citric Acid, Linalool, Coumarin, Evernia Furfuracea (treemoss) Extract, Eugenol, Limonene, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
In it, you will find phenoxyethanol, which is an ingredient often used instead of parabens, but not viewed as a healthy ingredient. There is also artificial fragrance, PEGs, and dimethicone (silicone). Coumarin, which is present in this cream ranks a 7 out of 10 in the Skin Deep Database, as does Eugenol.
Price: $24 for 3.5 ounces
Now, let's take a look at a recently released popular hand cream.
Kiehl's Ultimate Strength Hand Salve
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric/Stearic Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Hydrogenated Stearyl Olive Esters, Shea Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Peg-75 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Sesame Seed Oil, Squalane, Dimethicone, Ceteth-20, Phenoxyethanol, Avocado Oil, Steareth-20, Ceteareth-20, Methylparaben, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ppg-5-Ceteth-20, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Allantoin, Disodium Edta, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice.
This cream contains parabens, phenoxyethanol, Ceteth-20 (considered an environmental contaminant in Canada), silicone and polymers, and PEG ingredients.
Price: $16 for 2.5 ounces
You deserve better. Here is what is in our Seed Extra Moisturizing Hand Cream. For reference, I am using the Fragrance Free version. Note that we NEVER use artificial fragrance to scent products, only 100% pure essential oils:
Water (Aqua), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Emulsifying Wax NF, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Coconut Oil), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Stearic Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Glycerin, Gluconolactone (and) Sodium Benzoate, Cetyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Tapioca Starch, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract
As you can see, there are no silicones or parabens, nor are there any artificial fragrances. You will, however, find Grape Seed Oil, Aloe, Sunflower, Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, Jojoba, and beneficial antioxidants. You will never see unnecessary fillers or polymers or ingredients you worry about -- because you deserve better and our Award Winning Hand Cream delivers! Plus, it is affordably priced at $8.95 -- without compromising ingredients.
Leave a comment
Comments will be approved before showing up.
Also in Lately I've been paying more attention
5 Skin Care Benefits of Black Cumin Seed Oil
Black Cumin Seed Oil is an ingredient used in skin care that is unfamiliar to many. We like to think of it as an unsung hero. Just what is Black Cumin Seed Oil and why is it so beneficial for the skin?
Let's learn more:
Black Cumin Seed Oil, or Nigella sativa, is rich in history. Used in skin care for thousands of years, it is believed that both Cleopatra and Nefertiti used the seeds in their bath water. In fact, it is said that this ingredient has been used by royalty as a natural skin care remedy for over 4000 years!
Black Cumin Seed Oil is an elixir for red and irritated skin. Known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial benefits, Black Cumin Seed Oil is a magical skin care oil that can be used on every skin type.
5 Back to School Skin Care Tips for College Students
College students, let us help you establish a healthy skin care and wellness routine.
....
We've all heard about the "Freshman 15." I gained about 7 pounds freshman year. I can tell you that I had many choices in the dining hall, but my mom wasn't there to make sure I ate my fruits and veggies. I loaded up on macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes. I drank soda pop instead of water. I made Pop Tarts in my dorm room and ordered pizza regularly. Eat as many fresh, whole foods as you can and drink lots of water. Your skin will benefit from this. I recommend eating lots of
10 Skin Care Benefits of Niacinamide
If you are on the quest for healthy looking skin, this ingredient needs to be in your skin care arsenal.
Niacinamide, or Vitamin B3 (also called Nicotinic Acid) offers multiple benefits to the skin. It can help to visibly diminish the appearance of large pores, fine lines, skin dullness, and also helps to even out skin tone.
There is solid research supporting the benefits of Niacinamide.This skin vitamin is one that truly benefits nearly every skin type. Other recent research published by the editors of the Melanoma Letter suggests that niacinamide "can significantly reduce recurrences of actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma in patients with a history of these lesions."
