Dior HydrAction Hand Crème

RRP: £15.00 for 75ml at www.escentual.com

--What does the promo say?--
"Of course, dehydration can be felt: skin irritations, “pulling” sensations... But above all, it shows. Often neglected in skincare, the body also has its special needs. It needs to be soothed by rebuilding its skin barrier and by hydration so that it can be seen! Crème Mains Ultra Hydratante, with its light, melting texture, uses HydrAction Corps technology and is enriched with vitamin E to help protect the skin of the hands, even the fragile area around the nails. Carry this complete hand care in your purse - you'll want to have it with you all day long."

--Packaging--
Slim, light blue tube with a screw top. Very simple design, with the Dior logo and name of the product on the front, with product info on the back. Refreshing colour scheme that's very much in keeping with the product's aims and the Dior brand generally. The tube also iridesces slightly when turned towards the light, which is quite a novelty.

--Application--
Simple really, just rub a pea-sized blob into your hands as often as needed (though once a day is enough for me).

--Appearance--
Pure white cream that leaves no residue on the hands.

--Scent--
Soap-like, but the scent is not overpowering.

--Texture--
Creamy and not at all watery despite the emphasis on rehydration. Not dribbly or sticky. When rubbed into the hands a cool feeling takes over the skin on your hands, as if you really have just stuck them under a blast of cold water, in a way that Atrixo, my usual hand cream, does not.

--How does the skin feel afterwards?--
Lovely and soft, though it doesn't seem to have the miracle emergency effects possessed by Atrixo.

--Does it do what it says on the tube?--
While I compare it to Atrixo above, it's slightly unfair to as Dior's emphasis is on rehydration, whereas Atrixo emphasises the disappearance of dry skin. While I don't really suffer from dehydrated skin very much (to the best of my knowledge at least), from the way it makes my hands feel when I put it on, I have no trouble believing that it does what it says it does.

--Value for money--
While I'm very impressed with the way the cream feels on my hands, I feel it's a bit pricey for what it is and I certainly wouldn't bother paying £27 for the body emulsion companion that appears in the range. It also doesn't have the immediate effects that Atrixo has, so you're not even getting anything truly magical for that hiked-up price (apart from a slightly sparkly tube).

perfect partner
Dior HydrAction Body Sorbet Emulsion, £27.00/200ml