Style Essentials is a personal grooming column for African Americans featuring advice and product reviews to keep you looking and feeling good.

With temperatures dipping below the 40s, several of my friends are complaining about  their dry hands. A male friend even asked what he should use on his cuticles to prevent them from cracking. These are my favorites hand creams:

• Ahava’s Intensive Nourishing Hand Cream -  Light and non-greasy, this hand cream will definitely do the trick. ($25, www.ahavaus.com)

• C.O. Bigelow’s  Bigelow Chapped Hands Remedy #1012 - The glycerin in the lotion makes it feel amazing, but the medicinal smell is overpowering. If  you don’t mind smelling like you’re lathered in Bengay, it’s a great product. ($14, www.bigelowchemist.com) 

On a budget?

• Try Vaseline’s Cocoa Butter Extra Care Cream - It’s thick and sticky, but it smells good and could moisturize an alligator’s hands. I keep this lotion in my car in case of an emergency. ($3.99, www.vaseline.com)

Key ingredients to look for are shea butter, glycerin or even lanolin to help keep hands moisturize.

For cuticles:

• Carol Daughter’s Lemon and Jojoba Cuticle Oil - The lemon cake scent may be too much for most men, but it works great on dry cuticles. ($9.50, www.carolsdaugther.com)

On a budget?

• Burt Bee’s Lemon Butter Cuticle Creme – Most men won’t mind the mild lemon scent. It comes in a small tin container that’s perfect for your car, purse, pocket or nightstand. ($6, www.burtsbees.com)

If you consistently use a combination of cuticle oil and a quality hand cream you will notice a difference in days.

(Lashawnda K. Becoats is a lifestyle consultant and owner of La Concierge in Charlotte, N.C. Email her at la@concierge.la. Read her column here each Thursday, only on Qcitymetro.)

Sign up for our Weekly Email Newsletter Email: For Email Marketing you can trust

Other Ways to Share Twitter Del.icio.us MySpace

Discussions and Submission Agreement