Not what it's cracked up to be - my hands are still cracked up (Clinique Water Therapy Moisture Glove Hand Cream)

Member Name: bluerose81

Product:	Clinique Water Therapy Moisture Glove Hand Cream
Date:	01/09/09 (22 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Nice consistency, good short term softening

Disadvantages: Waxy, short term effect for really dry hands

Now, my hands are parched most of the time as I still haven't got in the habit of wearing rubber gloves when I do the dishes, and at age 40 the effect is showing. My hands are dry between the knuckles and I have a couple of rough patches that need help. So I forked out on Clinique's Water Therapy Moisture Glove Hand Cream at £15 for 100ml.

Clinique's 'Water Therapy' range sells itself as "designed for the body but contains the potency of the most advanced face creams". This everyday hand cream promises to provide long-lasting softness, a protective barrier against the elements and remain working on your hands even after washing, hence the 'glove' reference.

It contains Vitamins C and E and 'Activated Birch Water', whatever that is, which is supposed to help the ingredients sink deep into the skin layer so the softness lasts. It is also fragrance free.

When I first opened this cream, I only used a small amount as it is quite pricey. I thought the consistency was lovely as I rubbed it in, a light but waxy feel to it, and the way it 'gripped' onto my skin reminded me of the consistency of an expensive face cream I have used in the past. It quickly sank it but I was disappointed that my hands hardly felt moisturised at all, so I rubbed another good blob in.

For the next couple of hours, I kept stroking my hands subconsciously because they felt as soft as satin, like how a child's hand feels. The cream completely soaks in, so there is no greasiness, but if you get warm or get your hands wet, your hands feel a bit waxy again. I suppose that this is the protective barrier working.

After a couple of hours, my hands again felt like they needed more moisture. I can appreciate the value of the fact that a film stays on your hands which you can feel when your hands get wet, but if you are walking in the rain with your lover on a romantic evening, who wants to hold a waxy hand?

OK, my hands did feel like satin for a short period of time, and maybe with persistent use it would have some effect on my really dry areas, but it hasn't had much effect in the few days I have used it. I think I will go and buy myself some Vaseline hand cream for a couple of quid instead!

Summary: High-tech cream that does everything but really moisturises