11 best hand creams for silky-smooth skin
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Having one of the best hand creams in your skincare stash is a must all year round. Trust us when we tell you that your keeping your hands, nails and cuticles hydrated can make all the difference, especially if you want to keep your mani looking nice and fresh in-between salon visits.
For those with dry skin or sensitive skin, the hands can be particularly prone to sore or chapped areas. Not to mention, we often forget about just how much we tend to put our hands through on a day-to-day basis – from washing and sanitising to cooking and cleaning.
There's also a bunch of external factors such as the environment (pollution, we're looking at you) and weather changes, which inevitably affect our skin's hydration levels. If you often go for manicures, your hands will likely be at the mercy of UV lamps too, which is why you should also remember to wear your sunscreen beforehand.
Long story short, while you might be all sorted with your facial skincare routine (moisturisers to cleansers, face serums and such), you'll do well not to neglect your hands and treat them to that much needed TLC on the regular. To help you find the most nourishing (and non-greasy) hand creams out there, we've put together a guide of the best options that will help keep your skin in tip top condition. Here's everything you need to know.
How to choose the right hand cream
First of all, consider the ingredients list. We recommend looking out for ceramides, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, aloe vera and emollients such as avocado oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil for lasting hydration, especially if you want your hands to go from desert-dry to silky-smooth almost instantly.
Next up, the brands. While European pharmaceutical brands such as La Roche-Posay and Eucerin certainly serve up some seriously nourishing hand creams to help with eczema outbreaks and other skin conditions, it's also worth taking a look at Glossier and Rare Beauty, particularly if you're after lightweight creams that won't feel greasy.
How to keep hands healthy
First, you want to make sure you're completely drying your hands each time you wash them. Hands that drip-dry are likely to become more parched as the water evaporates off them.
Next, choose a thoroughly nourishing hand cream to help keep the skin plump, smooth and hydrated. Use it every single time you wash your hands to add the moisture back in. If your hands are feeling sensitive, it's best to opt for a fragrance-free option.
And if your hands and nails are in need of a proper pampering session, be sure to pair your hand cream with a quality cuticle oil and finish everything off with a deeply nourishing hand mask.
How we tested best hand creams
Throughout the years, the GLAMOUR team has collectively tried hundreds of hand creams, having tested said formulas on a variety of skin types and age groups. When reviewing each formula, we've assessed the ingredients lists, as well as value for money and how innovative it is compared to other options on the market. The following are our top picks. Find out more about how we test.
Looking to stock up on more skincare and bodycare products? Check out our guides for the best shower gels and body washes, best face exfoliators, best body scrubs, best bath oils, best moisturisers and the best sunscreens.
For more makeup, skincare, haircare, fragrance and wellness content from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, follow her on Instagram @deniseprimbet.
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Why we love it: Glossier truly is the ‘Apple’ of the beauty industry. This stylish, palm-sized pod has an innovative design that's an absolute pleasure to pop into your purse and use on-the-go. It has a fast-absorbing, nutrient-rich formula that's suitable for all skin types and is free from GMOs as well as allergens such as gluten, dairy and soy. It's a favourite of GLAMOUR Beauty Contributor Rebecca Fearn, who says: “I am typically terrible at remembering to apply hand cream, but Glossier's cute pink bottle is always in my handbag and on my desk. It's not only cute, but also a great product that delivers lasting hydration.”
Rare Beauty Find Comfort Hydrating Hand Cream
Why we love it: Rare Beauty's lightweight hand lotion is an absolute must-have for anyone looking to pamper themselves all year round. Infused with ashwaganda, niacinamide and peach flower extract, this cream has a non-sticky formula that keeps your hands well-hydrated for up to 16 hours at a time. GLAMOUR's Beauty Commerce Writer Denise Primbet loves it for its compact design and a non-greasy feel.
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Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm
Why we love it: Aesop's hand products are some of its bestselling, and for good reason. This beautiful-smelling cream not only looks incredibly chic, but also feels ultra-luxurious on the hands. With rosemary leaf, mandarin oil and cedarwood, this is super nourishing and even works for rough or dry hands and in extreme weather conditions.
Make sure to use these Cult Beauty discount codes to save money when shopping for the best hand creams.
L'Occitane Shea Intensive Hand Balm
Why we love it: Formulated with a high concentration of shea butter, this cream is designed to work on especially dry skin to help people restore their natural skin barrier. After all, there's a reason as to why this is considered to be one of L'Occitane's best-selling products.
Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Concentrated Hand Cream
Why we love it: Sometimes, you can't beat a classic. Neutrogena's Norwegian formula is not only brilliant for dry, cracked and sensitive hands thanks to its lack of scent, it's also ultra-budget-friendly and can be picked up at your local supermarket or Boots. We particularly love the inclusion of glycerin, which aids in hand hydration.
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Soothing Hand Cream
Why we love it: If anyone knows skincare, it's La Roche-Posay. Enriched with thermal spring water as well as niacinamide and glycerin, this soothing hand cream was designed to work on sensitive skin, banishing both dryness and dryness caused by environmental aggressors. GLAMOUR Beauty Contributor Rebecca Fearn says it's the option she reaches for when she experiences sensitivity: “From time to time in the winter, I can get really sore, sensitive hands thanks to the cold weather, but this not only hydrates them, but also doesn't antagonise them further.” If you've ever forgotten your sun protection in a warm climate and experienced sore, burnt hands, this is also lovely and soothing for aftercare.
Why we love it: Thanks to a soothing blend of coconut oil, shea butter, murumuru seed butter and avocado oil, this vegan lightweight lotion can hydrate your hands and strengthen the skin barrier without feeling unpleasantly greasy. Not to mention that it's rich, luxurious and practically a manicure in a bottle.
Chanel La Crème Main Body Care
Why we love it: Sometimes, you just deserve a spot of luxury – and Chanel's chic-yet-cute hand cream is just the ticket. Housed in a stylish white egg-shaped bottle, this looks beautiful at a desk or whipped out of a leather handbag – but it's not only how it looks that's appealing. Super moisturising and lovely for the nails too, the formula is as high quality as you can get.
Nursem Caring Hand Cream Unfragranced
Why we love it: GLAMOUR Beauty Contributor Rebecca Fearn remembers when she discovered this gem: “I first saw it on Dragon's Den, when a nurse and her partner explained how the cream was born from a need to soothe sore nurses' hands during the Covid pandemic. I gave it a try for myself and discovered that not only did I love the story behind the brand, but the product itself, too." This formula is free from essential oils and fragrances, is non-greasy and dermatologically-tested, and vegan and cruelty-free too. This means it is suitable for sensitive skin or those with conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.
Super Retinol Anti-Aging Hand Treatment
Why we love it: Tired of wrinkles and fine lines? Try this overnight hand cream, which contains a flurry of skincare ingredients such as retinol, pseudo-collagen and shea butter. However, bear in mind that it's not suitable for sensitive skin.
Aveeno Daily Moisturising Hand Cream
Why we love it: Made from naturally active, finely-milled oats, this daily hand cream is designed to keep your hands moisturised for up to 24 hours. It has a non-greasy, fast-absorbing formula, making it perfect for everyday use.