Hands are notoriously overlooked when it comes to skin care, which is why investing in a high-quality beeswax hand cream is essential. After all, your hands are incredibly overworked and under-cared for, which can lead to damaged and dry skin.
In this article, we will discuss the role of hand cream in maintaining and repairing the skin on your hands. We will also compare the Burt's Bees hand cream with the beeswax hand cream we offer at Generation Bee.
Why Beeswax Is the Ideal Protective Ingredient
The hardest-working skin on your body is easily the skin on your hands. That is why it is important to invest in a hand cream that provides ingredients that directly support and replenish your skin.
Beeswax is one of the best ingredients for your hands as it:
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Creates a breathable barrier
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Shields skin from external stressors
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Locks in moisture
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Repairs micro damage
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Provides antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties
What Makes Hand Skin Unique
Before we answer the question "What is hand salve?" we need to discuss the skin on your hands. The skin on your hands is very unique, which is why it can often be difficult to care for.
The scientific reason why hand skin is unique is that it is thinner and contains fewer oil glands. This limits its ability to self-moisturize and maintain elasticity.
When it comes to environmental factors, the skin on your hands is unique because it is constantly exposed to external stressors. Frequently touching things and washing your hands can lead to moisture loss and accelerated skin aging.
A honey bee hand cream directly helps protect hand skin by allowing for deeper moisturization, locking in oils, and creating a protective barrier. Hand creams that contain beeswax will also remain on your hands for longer than those with lower-quality ingredients.
Brand Comparison: Beeswax Hand Cream
If you are wondering what hand salve is, you also need to know what type of hand cream to buy. There are many options, but you specifically want to look at quality and the types of ingredients.
Here is a brand comparison of Generation Bee's beeswax hand salve and the Burt's Bees hand cream.
Generation Bee – Beeswax Hand Cream
At Generation Bee, our honey bee hand cream is beekeeper-made and created in small batches to guarantee the best quality. The ingredients for our hand cream include:
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Beeswax
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Almond oil
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Rosewater
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Coconut oil
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Shea butter
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Jojoba seed oil
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Non-GMO vegetable glycerin
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Essential oils
Burt's Bees – Hand Cream / Hand Salve
The Burt's Bees hand cream is a highly recognizable product from a very well-known brand that is accessible to the majority of people. It also features high-quality ingredients, such as beeswax, but the Burt's Bees hand salves are made on a much larger scale.
The Burt's Bees hand salve contains ingredients such as:
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Beeswax
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Natural oils
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Honey
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Shea butter
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Olive oil oil
When it comes to consistency, the Burt's Bees hand salve is much heavier and oilier and doesn't absorb as quickly as the Generation Bee hand cream.
Beeswax Hand Cream vs Hand Salve: What's the Difference?
Although they are discussed interchangeably, hand salves and hand creams are quite different. Both are designed to moisturize and repair the skin on your hands, but they have slightly different formulas.
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Salves: Richer and thicker formula that deeply moisturizes but takes longer to absorb into the skin
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Cream: Light and creamy consistency that includes water in the formula for versatile daily use and quick absorption
Generally, it is recommended that you use hand cream during the day and a salve at night.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Now that we have answered the question "What is hand salve vs hand cream?" here is a head-to-head comparison of the Burt's Bees salve vs the Generation Bee hand cream.
Transparency
Although both brands are known for being sustainable and providing quality ingredients, Generation Bee specifically prioritizes transparency. We list all of the ingredients in our products, allowing you to make informed purchasing decisions.
On the other hand, the ingredients in Burt's Bees hand cream and hand salve are not as clearly disclosed, so you may need to do a bit of investigating.
Ingredient Sourcing
At Generation Bee, all of our products are beekeeper-made, with our hand cream featuring beeswax specifically from our hives in Frankfort, Illinois. Burt's Bees hand cream is made on a larger scale and doesn't provide as many details when it comes to ingredient sourcing.
Versatility
When comparing our hand cream from Generation Bee with the salve from Burt's Bees, there are some differences when it comes to versatility. Our hand cream is very light and deeply moisturizing without feeling oily or greasy. This makes it perfect for everyday use, including nighttime moisturizing.
The Burt's Bees hand salve is much richer and is mainly formulated to be used at night so that the oils have time to absorb.
Who Should Use Beeswax Hand Cream?
No matter your age or the current state of your hands, using hand cream is beneficial for everyone. However, there are situations where hand cream may be more important for you than it is for others, such as:
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Those in the medical field
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Frequent hand washers
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Outdoor workers
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Gardeners
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Those with skin conditions
There are also different times of the year when hand cream is more important, such as during winter when skin tends to dry out and crack.
When using hand cream or salve on a daily basis, there are several ways to maximize its benefits. For instance, it is recommended to use hand cream twice a day, ideally after showering or washing your hands. You should also try to always keep hand cream with you so that you can apply it anytime your skin starts to look dry or tight.
Protect Your Hands With Generation Bee
Do your hands feel rough and dry? If so, you should start using a honey bee hand cream to restore and repair your skin.
At Generation Bee, we understand the skin needs of our customers, especially when it comes to often-neglected areas like the hands. Contact our team today to learn more about our mission and to check out our beeswax hand salve.