One of the great things about growing older (and I’ve decided there are lots, just to make myself feel better about it) is that you get to see things evolve and change over the years. Specifically beauty products in my case.

Hand wash is one of these things that you just wouldn’t have ever had back in the 70s and 80s. I remember when my mum came home with some ‘Liquid Soap’ for the kitchen – an ugly, square pump dispenser filled with medicinal smelling, hand-cracking detergent. But this was to replace the dried-up old bar of Imperial Leather by the side of the sink so it was in a sense an improvement. Fast forward to now and hand washes are as delicious, as nourishing and as nasty-free as your finest shower products. Here are my current favourites.

Elemis always seems to triumph when it comes to getting that spa-at-home feeling from a product. Their Revitalise-Me Hand Wash (£15) is no exception, giving you a super-clean but super-posh cleanse for your mitts. Follow it with the matching Hand Lotion – they look great together next to the bathroom sink.

 Voya, my new niche brand crush, has a hand wash in their collection called Clean Me Up (£16). It contains the range’s signature organic seaweed to soothe and encourage renewal of damaged skin cells – which I am sure my hands have plenty of. I love the slightly limey, slightly clovey smell of this one, which comes from the essential oils. A real hand-sniffer.

Next up is Blend Collective, a range created by aromatherapists and perfume experts. I have a real soft spot for their bath products that scent the whole house – and the Hand Wash from the ‘Enlivening’ range (£13.95) is just as zingy and refreshing.

Noble Isle’s Rhubarb Rhubarb Hand Wash (£18) had me wandering about for days thinking, “What is that gorgeous smell?”. Once I’d realised what it was, I couldn’t stop using it and slathering on the hand cream of the same name. A good one for the autumn with its notes of juniper berry and rosemary.

Finally, for the most stylish of dispensers, I bring out the Malin+Goetz, specifically their Vetiver Hand Wash Pump (£16.50). What’s not to love about this? A chic, unisex scent… a nourishing formula which leaves hands comfortable… and an apothecary style bottle. That ‘Liquid Soap’ is just a distant memory.

For luxurious and extravagant fragrance ideas see our roundup of Oud perfumes.