While I love raving about skincare for the face, I never really gave much thought to my hands — until three years ago. I was sitting at the dinner table next to my grandma when I noticed something unsettling… my dry, overly sanitised hands looked older than hers.

I'm not exaggerating, either. 

Even a UK study conducted by Harvey Water Softeners found that having dry skin on your hands can age you by an average of nine years. Yes, nine! RIP.

Watch: Erin Docherty shares tips on how to revive dry feet and cracked heels. Post continues below.

Since that awakening family meal, I've made sure to have hand cream within arm's reach, no matter the season—one in every handbag, several in the car, and one on every bench at home.

It's become such an obsession that, honestly, I've turned into a grade-A hand cream snob. I've spent hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars testing products, from drugstore staples to hyped luxury creams in chic packaging (looking at you, Chanel La Crème Main). Most of them I tend to use a handful of times before giving away to friends and family, but only a rare few earn a permanent spot in my routine — the ones I'll squeeze every last drop from to the point I need to cut the tube open. 

For me, the perfect hand cream has to meet certain criteria: incredibly moisturising (obviously), non-sticky or greasy, lightly scented (or fragrance-free but still pleasant) and affordable (or at least reasonably priced — because why splurge on something I'm just going to wash off?). Bonus points if it comes in pretty packaging with an easy dispenser. 

From my experience, only a select few have managed to tick all these boxes. And because beauty tips should never be gatekept, I'm sharing my ride-or-die favourites with you below.

Yours truly, a proud hand cream snob.

The best hand creams to buy in Australia.

Kamill Q10 Anti Age Hand and Nail Cream 75ml, $10.

When I first heard all the Korean skincare girls raving about this hand cream, I ran to buy it. Recognised as Germany's best-selling hand cream for nine years in a row, this 100 per cent natural, vegan and cruelty-free formula is dermatologically tested, fast-absorbing, deeply nourishing and affordable. So, yes, it ticks my criteria.

The Kamill hand cream range includes six scents, with the original organic chamomile being the most accessible in Australia. But if you ever come across the strawberry one, I HIGHLY recommend grabbing it (or better yet, send it my way, please and thank you).

CeraVe Reparative Hand Cream 100ml, $17.99.

CeraVe is known for its dermatologist-developed, gentle and effective skincare products, particularly for dry, sensitive and eczema-prone skin — and this hand cream is no exception.

It does lean on the thicker side, so I especially find myself reaching for it during the cooler months when my hands look like they've been abandoned in the Sahara desert.

Rare Beauty Find Comfort Hydrating Hand Cream 53ml, $31.

If you're willing to splurge a little without completely breaking the bank, don't overlook this Rare Beauty gem. The lightweight formula, infused with niacinamide, peach flower extract, and ashwagandha extract, is both soothing to use and delightful to smell. And can we take a moment to appreciate the adorable packaging?!

My friend first gifted me this cream for my birthday, and a week later, I went out and bought two more — one for my car and another for my desk. As someone who's usually frugal, that says a lot.

Mizon Hand & Foot Cream 100ml, $9 (usually $14). 

Mizon Hand & Foot Cream 100ml. Image: Lila Beauty.

This Korean hand cream is enriched with a patented formula featuring seven plant-based extracts to deeply nourish the skin.

Choose from three types: collagen to restore elasticity and reduce fine lines, hyaluronic acid to boost moisture levels in dry skin and snail mucin to repair and rejuvenate. My advice? Treat your hands to all three since they're so affordable.

L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream 150ml, $52. 

A quick Google search will show you that this best-selling hand cream boasts thousands of five-star reviews. The updated formula is vegan, made with 96 per cent naturally derived ingredients and enriched with 20 per cent shea butter to deeply nourish and protect even the driest skin.

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Mains Barrier Repairing Hand Cream 100ml, $25.95.

You've probably heard of (or even tried) the viral La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume — but did you know there's a version specifically for your hands? This ultra-moisturising hand cream is formulated with four per cent niacinamide to soothe and 30 per cent glycerin to provide intense hydration, creating an invisible, wash and friction-resistant barrier for hardworking hands.

Lanolin Lano Vanilla Hand Cream Intense, $13.56 (usually $16.95). 

I was the biggest Lano hype girl when the brand first launched its lip product range (it saved my dry, cracked lips), and now, I'm just as obsessed with their hand cream. Formulated with triple the amount of lanolin, it delivers a serious moisture boost, transforming the driest hands and most brittle nails into super-silky perfection. Plus, it smells like heavenly vanilla bean ice cream. Seriously, what's not to love?

Have you tried any of the above products? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

Feature image: Supplied.