Need genuinely non-greasy hand cream

I had been getting different brands of disposable nitrile examination gloves for years, but I hadn’t thought they were smelly until the last few purchases. 

I don’t like latex Marigolds either. 

You’re most welcome! I did just spot a typo of mine though, which I’ve now corrected. The brand is Aurelia - sorry ArchaeC !

Thanks Bunny  I’ll try the gloves you suggest. I’ve only just started using the vinyl gloves and so far they seem good, but they haven’t been subjected to anything to harsh yet, so time will tell.

Thanks Alexa I’ve checked out Doublebase.

My GP switched me to Epimax too, from Diprobase, but then on to Epaderm which has a pump.

That’s a good idea to use a soap dispenser. When I was using Epimax, I found it difficult to keep the bottle clean, especially when applying it to the whole body.

owl_enthusiast said:

I actually switched to (vegan) bar soap because I heard bar soap is better for skin than liquid soap (but that could be wrong).

As you've probably guessed by now, I've spent quite a lot of time trying to find ways to avoid my hands getting as bad as they have done in the past.

I've been experimenting recently with this (vegan) product, and am very happy with it. I did try one of their scented hand washes first, but found the smell too powerful and overwhelming, so switched to the unscented, which only became available more recently and is perfect for me. It isn't cheap, of course, but it does seem to make a helpful difference. Having bought the bottles initially, we now just get refill packs on subscription:

Gloved - Unscented Active-Hydrate Hand Wash

ArchaeC said:

I had been using nitrile examination gloves but found the smell unpleasant so I use the vinyl alternative

I've had some smelly nitrile gloves before, but in my case I think it was just that particular brand.

I now only buy Aurelia nitrile gloves and haven't had any problems with them, or any "after-smell". I prefer nitrile because they're stronger and more puncture-resistant than vinyl, have a more snug fit, and are resistant against more things.

I buy them in bulk online in three different styles from their range, using differing thicknesses / strengths for different kinds of tasks.

I find bar soaps can be a bit greasy, or they don't seem to clan my hands of grease or oil, I use Bio-D unscented liquid hand sanitizer, as I find perfumes often irritate my hands, it's vegan too.

Hi, 

Being a crafter often using threads and fibres I was recommended Aveeno about 20 years ago. It is the most non-greasy hand cream I have come across and use it mainly in the winter.   

I loathe the smell of the usual Marigolds type latex reusable washing up gloves which seems to linger on my hands for hours and makes me feel sick, didn't know disposable gloves can also have this issue - so I will definitely look out for non-latex disposable gloves, thanks

ArchaeC said:

I wonder if it was ‘Diprobase’ which is what I used to use?

It's Doublebase. My GP prescribed it for me until the NHS switched to Epimax - the generic equivalent. I miss Doublebase's pump, so I bought a soap dispenser and fill it with Epimax.

owl_enthusiast said:

I think it was called "Doublebase"

I wonder if it was ‘Diprobase’ which is what I used to use? I now use Epaderm, which comes in a similar pump dispenser, on my hands and body. It’s quite like diprobase but it feels creamier and more effective on my skin. 

I don’t like greasy creams either, especially on my hands. If I can’t wait for the cream to be absorbed fully, I wipe the excess off the palms of my hands with a tissue, which I know sounds like I’m defeating the purpose, but it’s useful when time is short and a light wipe will still allow some moisture to be retained on my skin. I can cope with the backs of my hands being greasy for a bit.

I also use disposable gloves to avoid having to over wash my hands. I had been using nitrile examination gloves but found the smell unpleasant so I use the vinyl alternative which is about the same price.

Thanks so much for all the helpful detailed answers here, greatly appreciated! I have read them all carefully and decided to try the O’Keeffe’s Working Hands tube (vegan).

I have had cream from the GP for the hands in the past when they were very red and cracked like Bunny  described. I think it was called "Doublebase" and was in a large bottle with a pump top but this was decades ago so can't be totally sure.

At the minute they're dry but not at the cracked/bleeding stage so will see what Working Hands cream is like. 

Agree with Stuart333 that soap can be a factor, I actually switched to (vegan) bar soap because I heard bar soap is better for skin than liquid soap (but that could be wrong).

Disposable gloves idea is also good.

For context, I have eczema along with longstanding issues with dry hands - including redness and soreness on the backs of my hands, and a tendency for my knuckles to crack and bleed.

Like you, I also wash my hands a lot, including due to sensory issues with my fingers being or feeling oily / greasy, sticky or dirty (visibly or otherwise). I'm also vegan. And I also can't tolerate greasy or sticky hand creams. 

I suggest contacting your local pharmacist or your GP for advice (the latter might be able to prescribe something for you, or can make any referral that might be needed). 

I can also gladly share some things that I've found helpful: 

• I now use disposable gloves several times a day, to avoid needing to wash my hands as often.
• In terms of hand creams, etc, the two products that I've found most useful - and tolerable - are:
  
  • Dermol Lotion (which I have on repeat prescription).
  • O’Keeffe’s Working Hands - as also suggested by Roy  (the tube version is currently vegan, but the 260ml pump-action tub isn't).
  • Both of these absorb quite quickly and don't leave a problematic (for me) residue.
• When my hands get very badly sore or cracked, I also sometimes use Savlon, which helps a lot.

To clarify, I can't tolerate anything on the inside of my hands, so haven't tried any of these on that side. I instead apply those products by using the back of one hand and rubbing the backs of both hands together.

I can't tolerate CeraVe moisturising cream or things like Molton Brown hand lotion, due to their residues.

In respect of Iain's suggestion - and as you perhaps already know, as I do, since we vegans tend to be habitual ingredient checkers - E45 cream is not suitable for us because it contains lanolin.

I use Body Shop Hemp handcream any residual stickiness I run on my arms, but that often when a bits plooped out that was more generous that I intended. Mum's got one from Lidl that she really likes. We both have sensitive skin and sensitive to different things too. The hemp on I use smells of patiouli. Neither of us can use E45 as we're both allergic to mineral oils which this contains. 

Stuart333 said:

I think handcreams need time to soak in, so all will initially feel greasy.

I would second this - there is no silver bullet solution to your issue other than to find one that is absorbed quickly and that you can find a way to tolerate while it does this.

From experience I found E45 cream is very effective at being absorbed quickly and has no perfumes - it is in most chemists and seems to be the same stuff that is used in hospitals for elderly patient with very dry skin (they use another brand name but the nurses I know say it is the same basic product). I can't recommend these to you by the rule here around medical advice however.

You may want to educate yourself around some of the different moisturisers out there, their active ingredients and suitability for your own needs - this site discusses a lot of the big brands and explains their application:

https://forum.facmedicine.com/threads/top-20-moisturizers-for-clinical-use-a-doctors-guide.79049/

Ultimately to find the best solution you should speak to a dermatologist and get their professional advice as you may already have damaged your skin from the excessive washings.

Good luck

I use this it’s the only hand cream I can tolerate as it has no scent or greasiness.

O’Keeffe’s Working Hands is a concentrated, non-greasy hand cream that relieves and repairs very dry, cracked hands. It locks in moisture with a protective barrier and delivers long-lasting hydration, even for severe dryness.

I have dry skin and end up testing a lot of handcreams. The best I've found so far is CeraVe.

I use Epaderm cream everywhere. 

I think handcreams need time to soak in, so all will initially feel greasy.

It might be better to use different soap. I use Astonish Protect & Care liquid soap from the Coop, which has vitamin E. It seems to help and is not greasy. You can then wash your hands a dozen or more times a day.

Carex seems similar.

Years ago i tried Dove, but I don't like how it feels.

The body shop has a hand cream called British Rose. It's in an aluminium tube and the constancy is lightweight and dries fast and dosn't leave my hands feeling oily.