The best hand cream is kind of a big deal. Our hands suffer a ton of daily indignities, from typing away at computers to withstanding alcohol-filled hand sanitizers. But skin is still skin, wherever it is, and it deserves to be cared for. “What people don’t often realize is that the skin on your hands is just as important to pay attention to as the skin on your face,” says Anna Guanche, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Calabasas, California.
Not only will your hands encounter dryness, sensitive skin, and, if those are left unchecked, eczema just from constant wear and tear, but they’re also susceptible to signs of aging, such as wrinkles and dark spots. “I see so many patients asking about sun spots on their hands, and it’s a really common spot for skin cancer,” says Mitalee Christman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Boston.
All this to say: The hands merit the same TLC as everywhere else, whether you’re working with cracked skin from overzealous handwashing, on the hunt for a fast-absorbing lotion that doesn’t leave a greasy residue, or need a nourishing option for super-dry skin.
That means when it comes to the best hand creams and lotions, you should look for similar moisturizing ingredients popular in other skin-care products—think humectants (like hyaluronic acid and glycerin), emollients (like ceramides and fatty acids), and occlusives (like petrolatum and beeswax). You can also look for certain preferences, such as unscented options, or those that offer built-in sunscreen. With that in mind, scroll on for the best hand lotions, ahead.
Our top picks
- Best Overall: Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve, $24
- Best Drugstore: Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Dry Hand Cream, $7
- Best Affordable: Curél Extreme Dry Hand Relief, $4
- Best for Wellness: Alo Restorative Hand Cream, $18
- Best Clean: EvolveTogether Hydrating Hand Cream, $24
- Best Luxury: Chanel La Crème Main, $50
- Most Trendy: Dries Van Noten Hand Cream, $50
- Best Classic: L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream, $30
- Best for Eczema: CeraVe Therapeutic Hand Cream, $11
- Best With SPF: Supergoop! Handscreen SPF 40, $14
- Best Scented: Burt’s Bees Hemp Hand Cream, $9
- Best for Nails: Vaseline Intensive Care Healthy Hands Stronger Nails Lotion, $3
- Best for Dark Spots: EltaMD So Silky Hand Crème, $23
- Best for All-Over: Fresh Milk Hydrating Hand Cream, $20
- Most Popular: O’Keeffe’s Working Hands Hand Cream, $9
- Most Sustainable: Nécessaire The Hand Cream, $20
All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
