Q. Hi Alison, I have quite thick cuticles and have cut them off in the past. I've just started using nail envy and avoplex oil but I wonder if you could suggest a good cuticle remover. Thanks, Maria.
A. For an excellent cuticle remover, you have to look for an AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) formula. We actually have a night time Avoplex formula - it's a fab exfoliator.
Continue to use the Avoplex Oil during the day, but before you go to bed rub in the Avoplex Exfoliator and leave it on during the night. It's got an AHA base in it, which 'nibbles' away at thickened cuticle. It takes down the cuticle without you having to rinse the exfoliator off. This will last you up to six months because you only need to apply a dot on each nail.
Q. I am 38 but my hands are 83. Can you please advise on a good hand cream? I have tried Liz Earle but the hand cream did not help at all. On your advice pages I read that you recommend L'Occitane and that the Balance Me Super Moisturiser has won an award. What would you recommend for me? Thanks.
A. You need more than just a hand cream to play catch-up on the hand area. Next to the kitchen or bathroom sink you need to keep an exfoliator to use at least three or four times a week to help lessen the depth of the wrinkles.
Often one of the most economical exfoliators to use is Philosophy's Salt Scrub because it's a body sized-tub and you only need about half a teaspoon to do your hands. I've got this in my bathroom and it lasts me up to a year.
You can also try the Leighton Denny Spa System, which has the great Diamond Skin Like Silk dermabrasion in it. You then need to moisturise - every time you use and face or body moisturiser use it on the hands too. Even serums or oils will help.
The hand creams I'd suggest would be the L'Occitane Hand Cream during the night because it's a thick cream, and then through the day I would suggest the Decleor hand cream or Gatineau version to carry around with you to use every time you wash your hands or they feel a bit dry.
Q: Can you recommend an easily absorbed cream for hands that are starting to look crepey despite being in my early 30s and regularly using hand cream. Could it be the hand washes I use, as I prefer to use antiseptic ones so I know my hands are really clean? Can the appearance of my hands be 'reversed' to look smooth again?
Alison: There are some jobs where you have to use anti-septic washes extremely regularly, such as in hygiene or healthcare industries and indeed hairdressers too. I would recommend two types of hand creams for you.
Number one: Choose a naturally anti-septic hand wash, such as one that has lavender in it, rather than one that's full of chemical anti-septic, as this has a natural anti-septic quality to it as well as a natural, soothing quality. So try L'Occitane Lavender Liquid Soap or the Lavender Shower Cream for a gentler option that still keeps your hands clean and smelling nice too!
Number two: When you do wash your hands an awful lot, it would be beneficial to apply a rich hand cream before you go to bed, such as the L'Occitane Hand Cream with shea butter or Honey and Lemon Hand Cream. Also, if your hands are dry when you're at home put it on a little more often.
You could also carry around with you a lighter hand cream for when you're out and about.
Q: I'm 36 and over the last 12 months my hands are getting very dry and sensitive, especially the fingers. The nails keep breaking and I have hard dry skin around the nail which becomes very sore and hurts. Is there anything that you could recommend?
Alison: Firstly it would be good to try to find out what is causing this. You haven't mentioned what your job is or if your hands are in and out of a lot of chemicals or irritants.
So, I'd recommend you use something really gentle, such as an A'kin Handwash as they don't contain ingredients that a lot of people can be allergic to. Then when your skin becomes irritated as you've described use L'Occitane 100% Shea Butter as this only contains one ingredient. That way we're lowering the amount of potential allergens that are on the skin.
Do bare in mind, however, that this skin irritation could have been triggered off by something. If you are really concerned about it then you must consult your doctor and he may be able to prescribe something for you that you can use alongside your beauty routine.
Q: I wondered if you could help. My mum's in her early forties and frequently uses L'Occitane and Liz Earle hand creams but has recently been diagnosed with contact dermatitis. The doctor has given her a steroid cream to use but she'd rather not use it. Do you know of a more natural alternative?
Alison: Obviously you must follow your doctor's advice and a steroid cream is essential. I've used them before to help with eczema flare ups, which sometimes can't be controlled due to something we've touched or even from stress. However, even your doctor will agree that you don't stay on them permanently - you just take a concentrated dose for a few days.
In between using the steroid cream, it's crucial to use non-sodium laureth sulphate hand washes - so one that's non detergent-based like Liz Earle Hand Wash or A'Kin Hand Wash. If your skin is looking a little angry, then the A'Kin Eucalyptus & Tea Tree Hand Wash in this duo acts as an anti-septic too.
Keep using your Liz Earle Hand Cream, which is non mineral oil based. On any dry areas you can use the Liz Earle Super Balm and the Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate. So, on a daily basis in between steroid cream applications, use hand products that are non mineral oil based. Other options for you include Elemis, Liz Earle and A'Kin and you can switch between these ranges as you wish.
L'Occitane Pure Shea Butter would be pure gold for you too, especially when you're having flare ups. It contains no parabens, preservatives or mineral oils and you can use it as a balm, which you may find more comforting.
Q: I had a baby 15 weeks ago and my hands have become very dry with all the washing/cleaning with hand gel I'm doing after every nappy change. Can you advise me on a really intensive hand cream to use?
Alison: You may be washing your hands with something that is antiseptic but very drying. If this is the case then I would try the A'kin Tea Tree Hand Wash and their Unscented Intensive Hand Cream. This is a very gentle solution if you feel that you are washing your hands an awful lot.
If you feel that it's just dryness and you're happy with what you're washing your hands with then use one of the L'Occitane Hand Creams. A great tip is to put thick layers of this cream on before you go to bed at night - perfect to put on for the one hour when the baby does go to sleep during the night! Let it sink in almost like a hand mask for extra pampering - you can just lie there and wait until you fall asleep without even rubbing it in. I'm sure it will have sunk in by the time the baby wakes again.
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