La Roche Posay Cicaplast Hand Cream

I have spent the last decade (more?) looking for the perfect hand cream. And I have tried some really great ones, some terrible ones too of course, but some that are so close to perfect and yet, just not quite good enough. This isn't a big announcement that I've found the Holy Grail of hand creams but this is as close as I've come and teamed with the Neutrogena Norwegian Formula hand cream my poor over-washed, over-anti-bacterialed hands have been in pretty good shape for the past couple of months.

I use the Norwegian formula (review to come soon) during the day mostly because it is easier to come across and it is slightly more easily absorbed than the La Roche Posay. But every night I've been using the Cicaplast hand cream and it has made a visible difference. It says to use every 2 hours or as needed but I would be getting through tubes of the stuff and it does kind of sit on the hands for a little while which makes going in for the next nappy change/brush clean/dog wrangle a bit tricky - I don't want to waste it. But it is a protective barrier so probably that sort of thing is exactly what it's for. I should get a grip.

The 'invisible glove-like effect' that they promise actually feels like a make-up primer for the hands, silky smooth, not annoyingly sticky or oily, and provides a protective barrier. It's 30% glycerin which accounts for the moisture and 4% Niacinamide an anti-inflammatory so perfect if your skin is irritated or sore, though if that is the case I would say apply this every 2 hours or as you need it. It is quite easy to get hold of, it seems to sometimes be in Boots, and incredibly reasonably priced. It's about £5!

Completely converted to La Roche Posay hand creams - I'm going to try the Lipikar hand cream next. (Update: I didn't like it as much)

After writing this I walked past my local chemist in West London and saw that they stocked LRP products. Guess how much they were charging for this. £15.95!!! That's a 200% mark up. Shop sensibly people. 

What You Need to Know - La Roche Posay Cicaplast Hand Cream 

• £5-£6.50 depending on where you shop
• 50ml
• Contains -  glycerin, niacinamide, Shea butter and some alcohols
• Available in the UK from Escentual, Feel Unique, and sometimes Boots.