Lotil Original Cream Used As A Hand Cream Review

Reviewed by Jennifer Seymour

Lotil has been around for over 100 years providing basic creams that “do what they say on the tin” and providing hydration for worn skin. However, now more than ever post-COVID, when our hands have been through the mill with hand sanitisation and cleaning more than ever, our hands need a cream that is going to provide the goodness they need.

Lotil has been around for many years in this original form and is marketed for use on very dry skin or for medical conditions such as eczema or psoriasis. However, I was using this cream as a hand cream for the purposes of this review. I often get cracks around my nails (probably from years of bad treatment and nail biting! Sorry!), however, a few days after using Lotil regularly and this has significantly improved and my skin on the back of my hands feels so much softer.

I really love the regenerative feel that the cream gives my hands. It certainly does make them feel more smooth and more hydrated. However, as this cream is an emollient cream for significant dry skin, the Lotil original cream is rich and quite thick in texture. So, if you are using this as a hand cream, before it has soaked completely into the skin, it feels quite tacky for some minutes after application. This might put a few people off using it and which is why I have not given this a 5-star rating. However, the hydrating effect of the cream afterwards was enough to help me overcome this issue.

It is also not perfumed and so, in relation to using this as a hand cream, I would use it more for my nightly routine or when I am in the house rather than out and about, as I would prefer something more fragranced for my daily hand cream. The fragrance is not for everyone. However, I would say that the people who buy this cream are not necessarily those who wanted a fragrant smell, but rather in need of a product which is going to give their skin a drink – rehydrate it to the levels it needs after months of hand sanitiser and cleaning.

Lotil is available in 4 sizes: a small 34ml mini tube; 50ml tube; 114ml tub and a 500ml tub with pump action (not tested). The packaging looks good and has a sturdy screw cap, so it would be handy and secure enough to carry in your bag without fear of leakages. I used the 50ml tube, so it is a handy size to leave on your desk.

What is great about this cream is the price! Available in the 50ml size from just £2.09 on Amazon. It is available at most pharmacies and in particular from  Weldricks Pharmacy, Amazon, Lloyds Pharmacy, Express Chemist and Boots.

This is such a good value product, but as a consequence do not expect luxury. As I said before, this “does what it says on the tin”. It is practical and effective, but not a luxurious beauty product.  However, it really does make my driest skin feel soft some time after use.

Rating: 4/5