Learn Dutch: Smeert deze crème stroef uit, dan gebruik ik hem niet. - If this cream spreads stiffly, then I will not use it.

This is the facilitive middle voice. In Dutch, you can use an active verb with an adverb of manner (here, stroef) to describe how a subject undergoes an action. Even though the cream is the thing being spread, it acts as the grammatical subject. The separable verb used here is uitsmeren (to spread out or rub in).

Why does the sentence start with the verb Smeert if it means 'If...'?

Starting a clause with the verb is a very common way to create a conditional statement in Dutch without actually using the word als (if). This is similar to saying 'Should this cream spread stiffly...' in English, but it is standard for everyday Dutch. The second half of the sentence then perfectly naturally starts with dan (then).

What exactly does stroef mean in this context?

Stroef means stiff, having high friction, or not moving easily. It is the opposite of glad (smooth) or soepel (supple/flexible). When a lotion smeert stroef uit, it drags on the skin and takes extra effort to rub in.

Why do we use hem to refer back to crème?