Does anyone else really dislike using hand cream at all?

[cara4art]

Or am I the only one? I find creams on hands to be terribly greasy, or not doing anything at all if they're not. Since I'm handling various things like electronics, paper, art materials, and have my hands in and out of water all the time, it's terribly inconvenient to say the least about having to apply cream all the time to hands, plus it leaves residue on anything one handles - not good, at least for me that is. So I let my hands go - sure, they're dry, but it's a whole lot easier. Since I don't wear nail polish either, I don't get into my hands as decorative objects really. They're here to do stuff! I know I might be in the minority though, and have to chuckle at people's having tubes of hand cream everywhere. My husband also hates creams of any sort on his hands

[christinedenice]

Cara, I don't hate using hand creams. I'm just not good at remembering to do so. When I do remember, I think "yeah, that feels really good" and then go back to forgetting about it.

After-shower body lotion seems to keep my hands moisturized enough, although I'm not putting them through so many rigors as you are throughout the day.

I do wish that I'd taken better care of my hands in past. They really are old lady hands now--age spots, bony and vein-y. But, I love them 'cause they've served me well, and they still work!

[cara4art]

"After-shower body lotion seems to keep my hands moisturized enough, although I'm not putting them through so many rigors as you are throughout the day."

Yes, this is sort of the way I go too, but I'm sure to wipe OFF any excess. Despite the fact that my hands are dry, they look OK, even with a few spots. That's to be expected with age. And personally I rather like veins - I've always had them on my hands, and on my feet. People these days go to great trouble to hide these too - not for me as I'm so-o not in the market for this kind of stuff even I wanted it.

[Tupelo]

In  a word: No. Hand cream is part of my daily miniaturization routine. You might want to try one that is good for 24 hour miniaturization. There are so many of them, there are too many of them to mention here. Google them for a lot of choices.

And many of them are "hospital grade," used in clinical practice. Applied once daily, they provide all the miniaturization your hands need in a 24 hour period, no matter how many times you have to wash your hands.

[makinalist]

In two words:  No way!  I hate the way my hands feel when they get dry and tight.  I am one of those people you would chuckle at, with hand cream everywhere you look.  It occurs to me that you live in a climate with no real winter weather -- perhaps that influences your opinion.  My hands would crack and bleed without cream in the cold weather.

Also, there are hand creams for daytime and others for night.  During the day I like something that sinks in and does not feel greasy, at least not for long, plus has SPF.  At night I am apt to use something very thick and even put a coat of oil on top of that.  I love how my hands feel the next morning when I do this.

I'm 60, and my hands are still soft, with very few spots.

[Poppyfields]

I got in the habit of applying hand cream just before I turn out the lights for bed in High School.  This is the only time I do, and it is enough.  No greasy hands during the day, and I don't notice it while falling asleep.   

[cara4art]

"It occurs to me that you live in a climate with no real winter weather -- perhaps that influences your opinion.  My hands would crack and bleed without cream in the cold weather."

Even with having lived in winter weather earlier in life, and for a time in New Mexico, I still didn't like hand cream - I did try to, but it just didn't suit. I used supposedly good ones like Neutrogena's heavy-duty formula - Norwegian, or something like that? DH, although he doesn't like creams, will sometimes ask me if I have any hand cream and I have to tell him no I don't.

[Styyna]

I become impatient with hand cream or lotion. I understand not liking the feel of it before it's absorbed. But I've also found that it takes far less time to absorb than I think it will. At first it feels so superficial and I'm just sure it's going to stay like that. The same thing happens when I use Vaseline on my lips. But both are absorbed much faster than I anticipate and I've learned to just take a moment to sit down and talk to DH or watch a little TV for a few minutes until it's absorbed.

If I'm in a real hurry I'll still apply it, work it in as best I can, and then towel the rest off with a paper towel. It's better than nothing and I'd rather have to be careful about touching things for a few minutes than have that dry, cracked feeling to my hands.

All that said, I almost only apply anything to my hands at night and after doing dishes. At night I put on a cheap pair of cotton gloves over cream or Vaseline.

[cara4art]

Oh, another thing, after applying moisturizer etc. to my face I wash my hands after - I don't want that on my hands either. I even have trouble dealing with any grease in the kitchen - I won't put my hands in something that's supposed to be mixed with hands if it's at all greasy - it just grosses me out no end. No, I don't have oily skin on my hands or body either. Just an aversion to it on my hands.

[LemonMyrtle]

Funny you should ask this, as I've just written an MUA review for Aveeno Intense Relief Hand Cream. Since dealing with a patch of dermatitis, this has been my hands' saviour. It sinks in without a trace yet leaves my hands feeling nourished and, most importantly, calms the dermatitis and keeps it under control.

Hand cream is one of my favourite things. I've always enjoyed applying it and will continue to use other more luxurious hand lotions, but not as frequently as before, as I really need to be more careful now.

For me, using hand cream is a moment of indulgence, a treat, time out. I always rub it onto my nails and cuticles too, which for some reason makes me feel very pampered.

I too always wash my hands after using moisturisers or lotions on my face or body, which is odd now that I think about it, as I don't share your aversion.

[milla]

I don't dislike handcream at all, I am just very lazy when it comes to my hands. But I'm getting better. I know what you mean about the feeling of grease in your hands, but not all handcreams leave a residue, it is like everything else, some are better than others. I try to moisturize my hands in the morning and at night before going to sleep. If you keep a small tube of handcream by your bed it is easier to remember. And perhaps once a week give your hands a special treat: make a scrub with some olive oil and sugar (not the type of sugar we call caster sugar in the UK-something a bit more gritty)and rub it well on your hands.You can also do the lemon treatment: cut a lemon in half and rub your cuticles with it.
We need to start a post on handcreams, which- one - do- we- prefer- and- why type of thing.

[anne]

I do not use hand cream. I do not like how it feels when you put it on (slimy / greasy, will stain everything), I am too busy ("") to wait even one second for it to absorb, AND I am just so lazy. I do not wear nail polish, either, so maybe it is more like my hands are tools, not decorations, kind of thing?

I know I should, yes. I tried at one point to apply a 24-hour-one but even that seemed like too much of a bother. I do not even apply post-shower all-over moisturizer.

BTW I´ve noticed I have 0% success in any skin care routines for my face that demand you first apply this, then wait x time, then apply 2nd product, then maybe third. OT but I really need to wash my face, be able to apply one thing immediately, and go to bed (or apply some makeup and go to work).

Some people feel they are pampering themselves with hand creams, body lotions, potions, 3- or 5-step skin care programs. I just cannot be bothered. Weird, huh?

[cara4art]

"I do not use hand cream. I do not like how it feels when you put it on (slimy / greasy, will stain everything), I am too busy ("") to wait even one second for it to absorb, AND I am just so lazy. I do not wear nail polish, either, so maybe it is more like my hands are tools, not decorations, kind of thing?

I know I should, yes. I tried at one point to apply a 24-hour-one but even that seemed like too much of a bother. I do not even apply post-shower all-over moisturizer.

BTW I´ve noticed I have 0% success in any skin care routines for my face that demand you first apply this, then wait x time, then apply 2nd product, then maybe third. OT but I really need to wash my face, be able to apply one thing immediately, and go to bed (or apply some makeup and go to work).

Some people feel they are pampering themselves with hand creams, body lotions, potions, 3- or 5-step skin care programs. I just cannot be bothered. Weird, huh?"

@anne - so glad SOMEONE is with me on this!:)
We must be "twins", save for facial stuff. I will apply a couple of things to face but again, not a fan of 5 to 8-step skincare programs either, especially if I have to "wait 30 minutes" before applying something else LOL!

[BettyBoop]

There are a lot of hand creams nowadays that are effective yet not greasy (the Neutrogena one that you mentioned, cara, is quite heavy and not quickly absorbed.) I don't always remember to use hand cream but I love how my hands feel when I do remember.

One trick to help with faster absorption and less slipperiness is to put the hand cream on the backs of your hands and rub them together as much as possible before using your palms. That way, most of the moisturizer goes where its needed most  and less on the useful parts of your hands and fingers.

[makinalist]

Great tip!  The backs of my hands are always the driest part, plus my fingertips.