With summer on the horizon, now’s the time to get hands and feet looking their best. Plus, with everyone spending extra time at home, what better moment to enjoy a DIY mani/pedi? Creams full of nourishing ingredients are essential for keeping skin soft and nails in good health and should be the first step in any treatment. Try incorporating them into a relaxing massage ritual at the end of the day, to help you wind down.
Grown Alchemist’s hand cream tops my list in terms of smell, texture and effectiveness. It has a non-greasy, velvety texture that sinks into skin quickly, leaving hands feeling soft and nourished. The sweet orange scent is at once uplifting and relaxing. I use this as an evening treat and always have it on my nightstand, ready to apply.
I have been using Clarins’ cult foot cream for years and recently discovered that it is podiatrist-recommended. With good reason, too – the classic formula delivers intense nourishment to feet, leaving them smooth and soft. After my evening shower, I apply, then put on socks to lock the cream in.
I’ve fallen in love with the fresh scent of this hand cream from Aurelia, which is perfect for spring. I apply it every morning and evening after my skincare routine and find it almost like an aromatherapy ritual, so soothing is the smell. The light, fast-absorbing texture means hands aren’t left slippery, but rather soft and nourished.
I tend to get dry heels so require a heavy-duty cream to heal and soften. My go-to has long been Weleda’s foot balm, which does just that. I massage it in before bed, then put on a pair of socks to intensify the treatment. In the morning, my feet look as good as new.