One of my resolutions (for want of a better word) was to take more time to look after my hands & nails. I never forget to cleanse my face or look after my hair but my hands always got overlooked. As I approach my 40’s I don’t want my hands to be the thing that makes me look older than I am. So I thought I would share with you a few of the products I have been using to keep my hands & nails in a better condition.

I have a fair few products to help my very very dry cuticles, they always look so terrible that I have really been focused these past couple of months on keeping them hydrated and  pushed back. So the numerous products I have been using in no particular order are –

Nailtiques cuticle and skin gel which has a very lightweight formula that is quickly and easily absorbed into the skin to leave the area hydrated and smooth. Its a handy little pot to keep by your bedside & I try to use this every night.

I have two Essence cuticle pens the orange one is a Express Nail Oil Pen with vitamin A & E this has a brush nib which makes it easy & precise for applying the oil to the cuticles. After I have applied a generous amount of oil to each cuticle I like to massage the product in & I find this really helps hydrate and nourish the skin. This is a little more greasy so I do this when I have more time to spare. The yellow one is a Cuticle Softener and it also has vitamins A & E but it is also enriched with mango. This one has a sponge tip & that is quite handy at pushing back the cuticles too. I did find this dried out quite quickly but it was effective. The e.l.f Nourishing Cuticle Pen is very similar to the yellow Essence Cuticle Softener but it didn’t dry out as quickly. I find these cuticle pens so handy to travel with as they’re slim and are easy to use on the go.

I have two Cuticle Remover Gels one from Sally Hansen which I bought in TK Maxx, it is enriched with Jojoba and Kiwi Extracts & the Essence 2 in 1 Cuticle Remover Gel. These are both identical & do the same job. I put the gel on each cuticle leave it for 10 minutes then rinse it off with warm water & my cuticles are soft & easy to push back & trim back. These gels can be quite messy but they do a great job and I would recommend either of these.

Wilko Cuticle Sticks – not glamorous in the slightest but a necessary tool in the fight to keep my nails looking tip top. These are so cheap & cheerful but I use them each time I give myself a manicure & these wooden ones are fab.

Avon Cuticle Conditioner – This is on a similar vain to the cuticle pens I have. You just brush the product over your cuticles and massage it in to keep them hydrated and moisturised. I haven’t used this Avon one a whole lot but it seems to do a good job.

Avon Nail Experts 24k Gold Strength. I use this when I don’t want to wear a colour on my nails. It has a tiny flecks of gold shimmer in which looks pretty & subtle. It also helps strengthen your nails.

Essence Quick & Easy Sponge Nail Polish Remover – These are a god send for taking off nail polish, not really a product that helps my hands look better but I just love how easy these are to use. This Essence one is a bargain too.

I have to use a hand cream throughout the day as my hands are horrendously dry & this Merumaya Hydrate & Protect Hand Cream* has been in my handbag since I received in back in February. Its extremely lightweight and not at all greasy, once you massage it in the cream is totally absorbed. This hand cream has SPF15 to help protect from UVA & UVB rays. It also contains Hyluronic Acid to help lock in the moisture & keep hands looking and feeling smooth. So a handcream that is hydrating & helps look after your hands.

A girl can never have enough topcoats right!? That is why I currently have 3 on the go. I love them all & even use them as clear nail polish when I am being lazy and I’ve not painted my nails. The three I’m using currently are Essence Better Than Gel Topcoat, Orly Glosser Topcoat* & Sally Hansen Super Shine they all make my nail polish look glossy & last longer.

The Body Shop Body Cocoa Butter Scrub – Someone on Twitter suggested that a good way of keeping hands looking healthy was to use a scrub on them every now & then. Well it has become a weekly part of my routine as I love how it removes the dead skin and keeps them smooth and looking so much better. Its a simple step but one I was completely missing out.

The Burt’s Bees Cuticle Butter & Hand Salve are two products that I’ve had for such a long time. I love the cuticle butter & the tin packaging make it perfect for taking on the go. The hand salve is less of a favourite. I am just trying to use it up (hate throwing things away).

Let me know what products you have been using to keep your hands is perfect condition.

Products that are marked with an * have either been sent to me for my consideration or I’ve received at events. I’m under no obligation to review them on my blog. However if I do, the reviews are 100% my own.