A few weeks ago I discovered I had the world’s smallest problem. A tiny patch of skin between the knuckles of my little finger and the next one up on my left hand had got a bit dry.

Panic!

Now, you may remember, if you ever watched the video from my attempt at making mince pies, that I’m not really a fan of putting things on my hands. When it was suggested that all I needed was a bit of hand cream, I was filled with dread and had no idea where to start.

I immediately uttered a cry for help from that inimitable resource - Twitter.

I am noting the responses I got, both on Twitter and Facebook, so I can refer back if I ever need to:

• l’occitane
• superdrug’s ‘hand therapy’
• GNLD
• E45
• Tesco hand & nail cream
• that cocoa butter thing
• nivea hand nourishing cream
• Quince honey farm
• dramatically different lotion by Clinique
• Lavender hand cream by L’Occitane
• Cetaphil
• some Avon stuff

Thank you to everyone who responded, it was fabulous doing some research. Of course, I ignored all the advice, and picked the smallest tube I could find in the shop. I didn’t want to spend too much on something I wasn’t sure I’d be able to use.

The process was not pleasant, and I started out by putting the tiniest bit on the problem area. Then I got a bit braver and eventually I was actually doing the whole hand-rubbing-together-till-it-dries thing. I liked the smell of the stuff, it reminded me of my mother.

Anyway, it’s all worked out well as we’re now about ten days on and my hands are all smooth and lovely again. Question is, do I have to keep using this stuff? And more importantly, could I actually face doing it forever?