It’s been a rough year for our poor paws.

Constant handwashing and harsh hand sanitisers have left most of us with less-than-lovely lamhaí heading into summer – and we can’t even book a manicure to sort out the damage.

If the last 12 months have left you with dry or rough patches, tight skin and sore fingers, it’s time to try out a fast fix designed to soothe digit damage overnight.

Here are six hand creams you can rely on:

1. AESOP RESURRECTION ARMOMATIQUE HAND BALM 

Not only does this aromatic hand cream smell beyond divine, but it also sinks in quickly without making your hands greasy. A gorgeous gift idea, it’ll leave your digits perfumed with mandarin oil, rosemary leaf and cedarwood.

Buy it: €25 from Samuicork.com

2. CLARINS HAND AND NAIL TREATMENT CREAM

This cult favourite acts as an ‘invisible glove’ to protect the entire hand. Not only does it protect from environmental damage (cold, sun, overwashing, chapping), the sesame oil and Japanese mulberry formula also diminishes dark spots and regenerates and strengthens the nails.

Buy it: €23, Clarins.ie

3. L’OCCITANE SHEA BUTTER HAND CREAM

This thick, soothing cream goes on like a balm, filling in those tiny cracks in your skin and nourishing and softening the hands for lasting comfort. Made with 20% concentrated shea butter, this best-seller is trusted by thousands and will keep your hands supple and hydrated.

Buy it: €25 from Loccitane.com

4. THIS WORKS STRESS CHECK HAND CREAM

A luxurious blend of Vitamin E, shea butter and omega-rich Bio Boost which contains, balloon vine, echium oil and sunflower oil, This Works Kind Hands is a brand new hand cream designed to help beat stress as well as dryness.

The formula delivers instant protection, along with a 100% natural fragrance of ylang-ylang, lavender and neroli to help to put your mind at ease too.

Buy it: €13 from Meaghers, McCabes, McCauleys and Brown Thomas. 

5. ELIZABETH ARDEN EIGHT HOUR CREAM HAND CREAM

If you’re a fan of Elizabeth Arden’s famous Eight Hour Cream, you’ll probably already own a tube of the incredibly effective hand version.

Packed with soothing emollients, one swipe of this formula goes to work on rough skin and signs of dryness and cracking are reversed within hours, leaving hands feeling fresh with no greasy residue.

Buy it: Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Hand Cream is €30 at Boots.ie.

6. THE HANDMADE SOAP COMPANY LAVENDER AND ROSEMARY

Inspired by an Irish herb garden, The Handmade Soap Company’s Lavender, Rosemary, Thyme and Mint Hand Cream absorbs quickly, leaving behind a gentle kiss of calming lavender.

Buy it: €9.95, thehandmadesopacompany.ie