The weekend is in sight!  We’ve had a lot going on around here lately.  About a month ago, we were in Florida, and two weekends ago, we were in the North Carolina mountains (follow me on Instagram to see pics: @barebeautyblog).  Add that to some exciting things I’ve been preparing for Bare Beauty (that aren’t blog posts), and here we are.  It’s been so much fun, but man, am I behind on, well, everything…  I keep telling myself that laundry isn’t important, and that spending quality time with my family is more important that publishing a new post every day, but I’m still feeling a little overwhelmed and under-accomplished .  Why isn’t my husband’s work suffering?  Am I just terribly inefficient?  Sigh….

Anyway, first world problems!  I’m here, and I’ve got some great Clean hand creams ready to share.  In most parts of the country, it’s still pretty cold and the heat inside is pumping.  Add that to dry air and frequent hand-washing, and you’ve got dry, cracked, scaly hands with ragged cuticles.  I had to laugh a few months ago when I told my friend Frances that my hands looked like that of a dish washer.  She said, “well, we kind of are professional dish washers”.  Can I get an Amen from all of the mamas out there?

I’m guessing the Swedes know a thing or two about dry, cracked Wintertime hands. Hailing from Sweden, Myhavtorn Hand Cream with Sea Buckthorn Oil lives on my desk.   It’s very hydrating, isn’t at all greasy and has a barely-there pleasant scent (natural, of course).  What is Sea Buckthorn?  It’s basically a tiny orange-red berry with magical powers.  The cold-pressed oil from the seed and pulp of this cute little fruit packs a medicinal punch; it contains high levels of Vitamins A, C and E, a host of Essential Fatty Acids (Omega’s 3, 6, 7 and 9) and other antioxidants, which protect the body from free-radical damage, oxidation and cell damage.  It’s the perfect oil for those with sensitive skin issues like rosacea.

Tata Harper Rejuventating Hand Cream is the Rolls Royce of Hand Creams.  This formula leaves no trace of oil once it sinks in – I can actually run my hands through my hair a few minutes later without destroying my style.  It also smells beautiful, so it can substitute for perfume or just act as a little aromatherapy pick-me-up.  For these reasons, this hand cream lives in my handbag; it’s perfect for on-the-go.  Biocompatible Hyaluronic Acid and Avocado Peptides deliver a plumping effect by boosting moisture, and my hands feel so soft and soothed after I use this cream.

I’m a huge fan of Intelligent Nutrients, and their Destress Express Hand Therapy does not disappoint.  Their certified organic formula locks in moisture like an invisible glove.  Shea butter, safflower and acai soften and nourish, helping heal dryness and dehydration, and it’s incredibly light fragrance smells like a spa; minty and herbal.  This one lives at the kitchen sink in our house.

Weleda Skin Food has been one of the best-selling hand creams for years, and for good reason – it WORKS.  Formulated for stubborn dry, rough skin, this is the perfect cream to use on hands, feet and elbows before bed.  This lil’ guy lives on my nightstand.  The rich formula contains essential fatty acids, organic sunflower seed oil (which contains loads of natural vitamin E), . organic pansy, naturally antiseptic rosemary leaf extract, naturally soothing, anti-inflammatory organic calendula flower extract and beeswax, which creates the perfect barrier between skin and the harsh winter elements.

May you have a productive, fast and happy Thursday!

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