There are very few things in life we could achieve without using our hands, so it’s about time to finally give them the TLC they deserve. Enter: the best hand creams. According to dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick, they’re great for people with naturally dry skin or conditions like eczema or psoriasis. But even if you don’t have any of these concerns, the best hand creams can also help reverse dryness due to frequent hand-washing or simple exposure to harsh winter weather. Not to mention, they’re basically your key to perfecting the glossiest #nailfie if you’re always rocking trendy press-ons or a fresh manicure.
“Many factors can contribute to dry, cracked skin on the hands, including genetics, environmental and occupational exposures, and daily wear and tear,” says Dr. Garshick. “Hand creams help to improve the look and feel of dry hands by boosting moisture and supporting the skin barrier to prevent moisture loss.”
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1
Best Overall Hand Cream
Andalou Naturals Lavender Hand Cream
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2
Best For Sensitive Skin
CeraVe Therapeutic Hand Cream
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3
Best Overnight Hand Cream
Vaseline Petroleum Jelly
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4
Best Drugstore Hand Cream
Burt’s Bees Hand Cream
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5
Best For Damaged Skin
Tammy Fender Natural Intensive Repair Balm
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6
Best With Sunscreen
Supergoop! Handscreen SPF 40
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7
Best Anti-Aging Hand Cream
StriVectin Volumizing Hand Cream
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8
Best Light Scent
L’Occitane Butter Hand Cream
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9
Best For Working Hands
O’Keeffe’s Working Hands Hand Cream
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10
Best For Eczema
Gold Bond Hand Cream for Eczema Relief
When shopping for the best hand creams, Dr. Garshick suggests choosing options with “humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin that hydrate, emollients such as squalene to help soften and smooth, ceramides to strengthen the skin, and occlusives like petrolatum—which provide a barrier to protect the hands from external irritants.” And for those worried about fine lines and dark spots, she mentions there are a variety of formulas to address those, too. “Moisturizing the hands regularly can help improve the overall appearance of [the] skin; however, it’s important to remember that similar anti-aging ingredients can be used on the hands as are used on the face,” she says. “These ingredients may include retinol to boost collagen production, antioxidants to protect against free radical damage, peptides to help strengthen and firm the skin, and sunscreen to protect against UV rays that can cause discoloration.” She adds that certain exfoliating ingredients, like lactic acid, may also help keep hands looking more youthful by eliminating dead skin cells and combatting dullness.
Regardless of your age or skin type, Dr. Garshick mentions you should always apply SPF to your hands—whether in the form of a classic sunscreen or targeted moisturizer—to prevent future damage.
Ahead, find your guide to the 18 best hand creams for soft, supple skin. Included are a range of Dr. Garshick’s expert picks and top-rated options customers are raving about. Plus, we even included one of our personal favorite selects.
