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We all know the importance of a solid skincare routine for our face – but don’t sleep on other parts of the body, including the hands, which often show visible signs of aging due to the thin consistency of the skin, frequent use, and sun exposure. Also, come the cooler months, our hands can dry out quicker due to the drop in humidity in the air. With all this in mind, it’s well worth snapping up a moisturizing hand cream or two to keep next to your nightstand or vanity — and we’ve narrowed down the best ones on the market to buy.
What to Consider When Shopping for Hand Creams
Ingredients
First and foremost, the best hand creams on the market are formulated with hydrating and moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin, shea butter, and coconut oil, to name a few. You’ll also want to consider your specific skin type and concerns. For example, those with sensitive skin should steer clear of hand creams with fragrances and alcohol. Similarly, if you have specific concerns you want to address, such as dark spots or aging, look for hand creams formulated with vitamin E, which, thanks to its protective free radical-fighting properties, may help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Texture
The best hand creams offer a non-greasy texture for comfortable wear sans any residue. Also, if you are prone to eczema or dry skin, opt for a hand cream with a rich, velvety texture.
Lotions vs. Creams
Some hand products are labeled as creams, while others are considered lotions—and keep in mind that there is a clear difference. This is because lotions have a higher water content and thus are more lightweight. On the contrary, creams are thicker and often have a higher oil content to quench deyhyrated skin.
The Best Hand Creams to Shop, STAT
Soft, supple skin awaits. Keep scrolling to shop our favorite hand creams, conveniently broken down by category.
Best Overall:
Drench your dry hands in this deeply moisturizing rich cream and bid dehydrated skin goodbye. Formulated for daily use, the aptly named Manuka Rich Cream from Flamingo Estate is chock-full of nourishing ingredients, including soothing manuka honey, hydrating lanolin oil, and conditioning shea butter. The cream also stands out for its ultra-creamy, cloud-like texture. Bonus: It’s plant-based and free of synthetic fragrances, parabens, and phthalates.
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Best Anti-Aging:
Aesthetics doctor Barbara Sturm’s eponymously named skincare brand is beloved for its innovative products, and this hand cream is no exception. That’s because it’s purposefully formulated with ingredients to help visibly reduce signs of aging, including free radical-fighting vitamin E and daisy flower extract, which, per the brand, reduces the appearance of dark spots. This uber-rich cream is also packed with plumping hyaluronic acid and antioxidant-loaded aloe vera.
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Best for Dry Skin:
L'Occitane Nourishing and Protective Shea Butter Hand Cream is beloved for its intensely moisturizing formula and decadent texture. It’s also infused with a whopping 20% shea butter, which is packed with vitamins and fatty acids. Additional ingredient highlights include staples glycerin, coconut oil, and sunflower seed oil, all of which are known for their nourishing properties. The result? Deeply hydrated skin for hours on end.
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Best Budget:
Clocking in at less than $10 for a 4.2-ounce bottle, this hand cream is an incredible steal. It’s a fan-favorite for its velvety, non-greasy texture. It’s spiked with shea butter along with skin-softening staples like macadamia and almond oils. The floral fragrance — which features a combination of rose, jasmine, violet, and bergamot — is a bonus.
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Best Vegan:
French skincare brand Caudalie prides itself on producing effective and sustainable skincare products, and this hand cream is no exception. The formula features a mix of moisturizing ingredients (think: shea butter, glycerin, and avocado oil) along with antioxidant-packed grape polyphenols and vitamin E. We’d also be remiss not to mention its delicate scent and silky-smooth texture.
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Best for Eczema:
Specially formulated with eczema sufferers in mind, this hand cream contains skin-soothing, anti-inflammatory colloidal oatmeal, which is approved by the FDA as an effective over-the-counter skin protectant. Cocoa butter and vitamin E oil round out the formula, too. Oh, and did we mention the cream was also awarded a coveted Seal of Acceptance by the National Eczema Association?
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Best Splurge:
La Mer is beloved by A-listers and skincare enthusiasts for its innovative products that often feature a slew of high-quality ingredients. This rich hand cream moisturizer is no exception. It delivers softness, smoothness, and hydration in one fell swoop courtesy of the brand’s signature Miracle Broth, a skin-soothing, anti-irritating, and rejuvenating combination of fermented ingredients such as sustainably harvested giant sea kelp, vitamins, and nutrients.
