You’re washing your hands more than ever before (keep up the good work, by the way), but inevitably it comes with some drawbacks. The most common signs of over-washed hands are dry, probably cracked and – maybe even – bleeding skin. But don’t worry: there are easy steps you can take to ensure your hands are super clean and super soft. After washing them, use a towel to gently pat – not rub – them dry. As simple as it sounds, the friction caused by your towel rubbing skin in both directions will make dry skin even more sensitive. Then, once your hands are thoroughly dry, slather on hand cream. Here are our faves:

Nursem Caring Hand Fix

Nurses helped create this hand cream – they know a thing or two about constant hand-washing, after all! As well as containing hyaluronic acid, to deliver a serious hydration hit to parched hands, it also includes colloidal oats, which help calm irritated skin. It sinks in quickly and doesn’t leave your hands feeling greasy.

Seoulista Beauty Rosy Hands Instant Manicure

If your hands looked like they’ve aged decades in the last few weeks due to the relentless washing, it’s time to treat them to a mask. These glove-shaped sheets are infused with a vitamin-C based serum that works at brightening skin and will add a slower, more intensive hit of moisture. Pop your hands in and leave for 30 minutes (yep, it’s a while, but now might be the time you have half an hour to spare) so the lightweight formula can slowly be absorbed and get to work. When you take them off, rub any remaining serum in and you’re done.

Aveeno Daily Moisturising Hand Cream

A lightweight formula, this is packed with colloidal oats to help with any sore patches of skin – much needed if your hands are feeling like sandpaper right now. The cream helps protect and nourish dry skin – even through hand washing – and keeps on moisturising for 24 hours.

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Concentrated Unscented Hand Cream

Slightly balmy in consistency, this hand cream is like a soothing pair of gloves for dry and cracked skin. It contains glycerin to get your hands feeling soft again and, most importantly, it’s unscented, which is a must for sensitive hands, as perfume can aggravate irritated skin.

O’Keeffe’s Working Hands Jar

O’Keeffe’s is known for creating products that really work. Designed in the 90s to help soothe the ravaged hands of US ranchers, this handy-sized pot of hand cream is no different. Containing high levels of glycerine, it can be reapplied throughout the day – smooth on a thicker layer at night to act as an intensive treatment.

No7 Beautiful Skin Nourishing Hand & Nail Cream

Filled with all the hydrating good stuff, such as glycerin, shea butter and macadamia and almond oils, this hand cream is hypo-allergenic – because, if there’s something you need right now, it’s a hand cream offering gentleness.