After another dismal northern summer, many of us are realising just how much we need the sun to feel healthy and happy. Now, as the weather cools its way into the autumn months, I’ve found my hands looking worse for wear, the skin dry and parched and my poor nails are brittle and splitting.  So here’s my intensive repair plan for fast results:

Apply an emollient moisturizer after every exposure to water - the longer I can keep it on, the better. There are now small tubes or bottles of moisturizer all over the house, including near the kitchen sink, in the bathroom, at the bedside, in my handbags and on my desk at work. That way it is never out of reach for a quick application.

As my cuticles are also dry and cracked, I am covering them at night with a very emollient, thick moisturizer. Almost any moisturizer for dry skin will do - it is not necessary to purchase special cuticle creams. Products with glycerin, petrolatum (Vaseline) or other oils are wonderful cuticle-softening options. Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream ($17) is unbeatable.

And if in a week’s time, I still haven’t got beautifully soft hands, I might try moisture-infused gloves as a night-time treatment. These unique gloves are lined with a synthetic material that slowly releases moisturizing ingredients as they are worn. We recommend Borghese Spa Mani Moisture Restoring Gloves ($46.50 per pair) or blisslabs’ Glamour Gloves ($48 per pair).