Soie — Hand Beauty

Hand Serum Common Questions, Answered Before You Buy

The hand serum common questions people ask before buying are remarkably consistent: is it sticky, is the scent strong, what about nails, how long does a bottle last. Here are ten of them, answered with the facts of the product rather than anyone's opinion.

What people really want to know before buying a hand serum is not what somebody else thought of it but what will happen on their own hands. Will it get in the way of work? Will the scent be noticed in the office? Can it go on over a manicure? How long will the bottle last? Opinions divide; most of these questions do not, because they are answered by how the product is made.

This page takes the ten questions that come up most often about a serum for the hands and answers them in four groups: how it feels, how it smells, where and by whom it can be used, and what to expect over time. There are no scores and no quotations. Only the design of the product and the way it is used, set out in order.

How it feels: is it sticky, can I work straight away, how much do I use?

1. Is a hand serum sticky?

A serum built on water and beauty ingredients is a different form from an oil-based cream, and it is far less inclined to leave a film on the surface. The design premise is that it spreads the instant it touches the fingertips and leaves nothing behind but a supple feel. A formula heavy in oils will feel closer to a cream, so check the ingredient list to see whether water leads.

2. Can I use a keyboard or phone right after applying it?

If the texture leaves no stickiness, yes. This is the reason a serum suits daytime care: it can follow every wash without interrupting the flow of work.

3. How much do I use at a time?

One or two pearl-sized drops is the working amount. Take it on the back of one hand, bring both hands together, spread it over the whole hand, work it in with the palm, then between the fingers and around the nails. Several light applications after washing sink in better than one generous one. The full method is described in What is a hand serum.

How it smells: is it strong, can I wear it at work, is there an unscented one?

4. Is the fragrance strong?

A serum designed as a fragrance for the hands is not meant to project like a perfume. It is noticed when you bring your hand close, moves from top to base notes with the warmth of the skin and settles within about half an hour. Strength varies between products, so look for a description along the lines of felt close to the hands.

5. Can I wear it at the office or when out?

A modest fragrance can be worn through the working day. For a calmer impression, tea and herb compositions or an oriental style are easy choices. How to choose a style of scent is explained in our hand fragrance guide.

6. Is there an unscented hand serum?

It depends on the maker. All Soie products are scented, in five fragrances, and there is no unscented version; the strength is composed to be enjoyed close to the hands. If you wish to avoid fragrance altogether, choose a product explicitly labelled unscented.

Where and by whom: over nails, beyond the hands, men and children

7. Can I use it if I wear nail polish or gel nails?

Yes. The serum is worked into the skin around the nails, the cuticles and the fingertips, not into the nail itself. With a manicure or gel nails, keeping the skin of the hands and the nail contours moisturised is what sets off the finish. The last step of application is a light pressing massage around the nails.

8. Can it be used anywhere other than the hands?

It is made for the hands, but some products can also be used where dryness is a concern, such as elbows and knees. Soie's hand serum can be used on the hands, fingers and nails and also on elbows and knees.

9. Can men and children use it?

A unisex design that suits any skin type, age or gender can be shared by a whole family from one bottle. Soie's hand serum is a gentle formula suitable for sensitive skin and children, and because it leaves no stickiness it is easy for men to use during the working day. Stop use if the product disagrees with the skin.

Over time: how long a bottle lasts, and what if it does not suit me?

10. How long does one bottle last?

It depends on the amount and the frequency. For a 30 mL bottle, with one or two pearl-sized drops per application and several applications a day, around a month and a half is a reasonable guide. Someone who applies it after every wash will finish sooner; someone who uses it only at bedtime, more slowly.

A note: if it does not suit your skin

If you notice redness, itching or irritation, stop using the product and consult a dermatologist if necessary. If you are new to the product or your skin is sensitive, try a small amount on the inner arm first. The full ingredient list is on each product page.

What the ten questions have in common is that the answers lie in the design, not in anyone's opinion. Is the form water-based? Is the fragrance composed to be enjoyed close to the hands? How large is the bottle and how much is one application? When you read what other people say about a serum, look for those three facts; they tell you faster than any verdict whether it will suit your hands.

Frequently asked questions

What should I look for when reading what others say about a hand serum?

Rather than whether they liked it, look for three facts: whether they could use a phone or keyboard straight after applying it (the form), whether the fragrance was felt only close to the hands (the strength), and how long a bottle lasted them (the amount). Those three tell you whether it will suit your own hands.

Can a hand serum be used together with hand cream?

Yes. They play different roles: apply the water-based serum first and let it sink in, then layer an oil-based cream over it if the hands need more. A serum that leaves no stickiness moisturises on its own, so many people use it alone by day and add cream only on dry nights.

Can I use a hand serum during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?

It can be used as an ordinary cosmetic, but these are times when the body and the skin change easily. If you have any concern, consult your doctor before using it. Try a small amount on the inner arm the first time, and stop if you notice any irritation.

Where can I find the full ingredient list?

On each product page, in the ingredients section. Cosmetic ingredients are listed, as a rule, from largest quantity to smallest, so what follows water describes the character of the formula. Check where the moisturising ingredients, such as ceramides and peptides, and the skin-conditioning ingredients sit before you choose.

Should I use a hand serum differently in different seasons?

The basic sequence, wash then moisturise, is the same all year. In dry seasons, or when hands are washed and sanitised more often, increase the number of applications. In summer, rely on sunscreen for daytime sun protection and keep washing and moisturising after you come home; a hand serum has no sun protection factor.

Soie's answers for its own hand serum

Put the ten questions to Soie's Enlight Hand Serum and the answers run as follows. It is a water-based serum made only for the hands, combining EGF and KGF (skin-conditioning ingredients) with five ceramides and peptides (moisturising ingredients). It melts in the moment it touches the fingertips, leaves no stickiness, and a phone or keyboard can be used immediately afterwards.

The fragrance is one of five perfume-grade compositions by our dedicated perfumer, blended to be felt close to the hands. The bottle holds 30 mL; one application is one or two pearl-sized drops. The formula is gentle enough for sensitive skin and children and can be used on elbows and knees. Further questions are answered in our Hand Beauty Q&A.