I recently received free Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream as a BzzAgent. I had used other Neutrogena products in the past, but had not tried the Norwegian Formula, which is a concentrated glycerin-based formula meant to repair and protect very dry and damaged skin.
As you can hopefully tell from the pictures, I certainly fit the bill for having very dry skin. In winter, my knuckles are often so dry they crack and bleed. I have the bad habit of picking at the skin of my cuticles whenever I am nervous or bored. And I have one nail that grows in completely split down the middle (my problem nail). I would love to get professional manicures more often, but with a new baby, that isn't easy.
I usually end up taking care of my poor hands myself, often doing one or two steps a day, instead of all at once. After trimming and filing my nails to the length I like (ok, I admit, sometimes what I really mean is biting them to the right length...), I take care of my cuticles. I clip off all the little pieces that I would otherwise be tempted to pick at, using an angled cuticle trimmer like this one. I trim away all I can and try to get them as smooth as possible.
Then I move on to my problem nail. I have experimented with many products over the years to try to get this nail under control. If I don't, it gets caught in everything I touch, rips further down the nail bed, and causes me lots of pain and headaches! Here's what works for me: I trim a piece of fiberglass or silk to fit over the split, squeeze a little nail glue and powder on top, then wait for it to dry. Then I shape the nail with a file and buffer, and apply some clear polish (I like Hard as Nails from Sally Hansen).
If I'm feeling ambitious, or have a hot date that requires painted nails, I can then paint over the broken one with no problem. I will admit I don't paint my nails too often though - especially recently - so it's important that they look at least ok without any polish.
After working on my nails, I always apply some type of hand lotion. I have found that the Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream really helps my dry skin and cuticle problems. In addition to after manicures, I also apply it each night before bed, and again in the morning before going to work. The bottle says you only need a little bit, because it is so concentrated. But I find myself going back for more and more to rub into each cuticle. Once I do so, my cuticles stay soft and moisturized for longer, so I am not tempted to mess with them!
I used to use a special cuticle cream on them, and have also tried plain old Vaseline. But the Norwegian Formula keeps every part of my hands moisturized, and isn't greasy like Vaseline.
Here's what my hands look like now, after a few weeks of using Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream:
Hopefully you can tell that the skin around my cuticles looks much better, and the dry knuckles are almost gone! I really like the Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream, and will continue to use it. Now I just need to stop picking at my nails!
I usually end up taking care of my poor hands myself, often doing one or two steps a day, instead of all at once. After trimming and filing my nails to the length I like (ok, I admit, sometimes what I really mean is biting them to the right length...), I take care of my cuticles. I clip off all the little pieces that I would otherwise be tempted to pick at, using an angled cuticle trimmer like this one. I trim away all I can and try to get them as smooth as possible.
Then I move on to my problem nail. I have experimented with many products over the years to try to get this nail under control. If I don't, it gets caught in everything I touch, rips further down the nail bed, and causes me lots of pain and headaches! Here's what works for me: I trim a piece of fiberglass or silk to fit over the split, squeeze a little nail glue and powder on top, then wait for it to dry. Then I shape the nail with a file and buffer, and apply some clear polish (I like Hard as Nails from Sally Hansen).
If I'm feeling ambitious, or have a hot date that requires painted nails, I can then paint over the broken one with no problem. I will admit I don't paint my nails too often though - especially recently - so it's important that they look at least ok without any polish.
After working on my nails, I always apply some type of hand lotion. I have found that the Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream really helps my dry skin and cuticle problems. In addition to after manicures, I also apply it each night before bed, and again in the morning before going to work. The bottle says you only need a little bit, because it is so concentrated. But I find myself going back for more and more to rub into each cuticle. Once I do so, my cuticles stay soft and moisturized for longer, so I am not tempted to mess with them!
I used to use a special cuticle cream on them, and have also tried plain old Vaseline. But the Norwegian Formula keeps every part of my hands moisturized, and isn't greasy like Vaseline.
Here's what my hands look like now, after a few weeks of using Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream:
Hopefully you can tell that the skin around my cuticles looks much better, and the dry knuckles are almost gone! I really like the Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream, and will continue to use it. Now I just need to stop picking at my nails!
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