Beauty: Handcreams

You may not remember the last time you owned a pair of silky-soft paws – after a long, cold winter, your hands are probably more like a witch's talons. This is slightly worrying, as they do say that our hands show the signs of ageing faster than anywhere else. To nip the drying effect of cold temperatures in the bud, here's our round-up of some of the newest potions out there.

Boots Original Beauty Formula Lavender Hand Cream, 4.89

Boots nationwide (www.boots.com)

"I love the retro packaging on this nifty tube of hand cream that forms part of Boots's newly launched range. Enriched with lanolin and infused with lavender oil, it's got a proper old-school scent to match the look, although it could definitely be richer. Still, it's the perfect size to pop into your bag and will make your hands as nostalgically fragrant as your nan's."

Chitra Ramaswamy

Crabtree & Evelyn Hand Therapy Collection Citron, Honey and Coriander Rejuvenating hand Remedy, 16

(www.crabtree-evelyn.co.uk)

"From the first application, this lighter-than-air cream made my winter-ravaged hands, with their attendant dry patches of skin, feel noticeably softer and smoother. The texture feels rich, but light. Only the smell – it's fresh at first, but lingers too long, and too strong – lets this product down."

Janet Watson

Sisley Comfort Extreme Mains Nutritive Handcream with Harpagophytum, 55

(www.sisley-cosmetics.co.uk)

"Despite compulsively applying lotion night and day, my hands have been stubbornly rough and dry through most of the winter. Since using this easily-absorbed cream my parched paws and desiccated cuticles have been transformed. As well as leaving skin velvety soft, it has a lovely soothing lavender scent. Expensive but effective."

Mercy Breheny

nails inc Kensington Conditioning Hand Lotion, 15

Harvey Nichols (0131-524 8388, www.nailsinc.com)

"Oh my. I might not be able to afford to stock my fridge with Beluga, but thanks to cult nail polish company nails inc, I can rub caviar into my cuticles. Their new Kensington conditioning hand lotion is "enriched with luxury caviar extract" which does not mean it smells like fish – pleasingly, the fragrance is a light floral, and the stylish black and silver packaging ensures that this is a product that will look good on any bedside table."

Alison Gray

Clinique Deep Comfort Hand and Cuticle Cream, 14.50

Department stores nationwide (www.clinique.co.uk) hhh

"This handcream has a lovely thick texture with a pleasantly fresh smell and my hands definitely feel softer for using it. Unfortunately there is a downside: it leaves hands greasy and a film on everything you touch. It would, however, be great for overnight use."

Pamela Moffat

This article was originally published in The Scotsman on 27 February 2010