Truly an essential skincare product to have on standby, the best hand creams will nourish dryness, support the skin barrier and even reduce the visible signs of ageing. Applying one regularly is the key to maintaining this area's skin health and keeping your hands looking and feeling soft.
But much like the best body creams, there are hundreds on the beauty market, and so tracking down the right one requires some research. “A good hand cream should really be a mix of the three moisturising ingredients: humectants (for example glycerin), occlusives (for example shea butter), and emollients (for example lanolin),” says consultant dermatologist Dr Anjali Mahto, founder of Self London. "A good ratio of these ingredients is a must for moisturising effectively. I also really like ceramides in hand creams, as they are natural lipids that support the skin barrier and help to prevent moisture loss."
I've been testing hand creams for years, drawing on my years of experience – plus, tested several new launches – to provide in-depth reviews of the top buys. I also spoke with two doctors to get their expert insights into what you should look for in a good formula and how to use it for the best results. Without further ado…
The best hand creams, reviewed by a beauty editor
RRP: £11 | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
CeraVe is a brand that's trusted and endorsed by dermatologists all over the world – Dr Mahto included, as she recommends this hand cream. Formulated with three essential ceramides, patented technology ensures that both these and hyaluronic acid hydrate and replenish the skin gradually throughout the day – which is ideal for hands that are particularly dry and sore. Not only can we attest to the lasting softness felt from the hand cream, we also found that it sinks in quickly with absolutely no greasiness. Plus, a small amount goes a long way, adding to its decent value.
Pros
- Great value
- Doesn't leave greasy residue
- Supports and repairs the skin barrier
Cons
- Not particularly luxurious-looking or feeling
RRP: £27 for 75ml | Key ingredients: Mandarin, rosemary leaf, cedarwood
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
An icon of the beauty market alongside the matching hand wash, the pump version of this cream is instantly recognisable with its translucent brown bottle and luxe cream label – but it also comes in a paint-size tube for on-the-go application. Words don't do justice to the scent – a spa-like combination of mandarin, rosemary, and cedar – which our tester found really added to the feeling that taking time to apply hand cream can be a quiet, relaxing moment for yourself. For a hand cream that feels luxurious rather than purely functional, this is such a treat.
Pros
- Has a gorgeous, spa-like scent
- Luxuriously thick
- Feels like an indulgent treat to use
Cons
- May not suit very sensitive skin
RRP: £25 for 65ml | Key ingredients: Peptides, niacinamide, vitamins C & E, omegas 6 & 9
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
Nécessaire is all about stripping things back to the essentials we need, and is committed to minimising its environmental footprint, with chic, minimalistic packaging to match. The fragrance-free hand cream – packed with peptides, vitamins and omegas – is already one of our tester's favourites due to its quick absorption and medium-thickness texture, as well as the fact that a little goes a long way. If you do want your hand cream to smell delicious, this won't be your best match, but if fragrance doesn't sway you either way then we think this is really, really worth the investment.
Pros
- Thick without any heavy or greasy residue behind
- A great choice for sensitive skin
- Seal of Approval™ from the National Eczema Association
Cons
- Unscented, which won't appeal to all
RRP: £25 for 150ml | Key ingredients: Shea butter, argan & coconut oils, jasmine and ylang-ylang
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
Another beauty industry icon and arguably one of the most famous luxury hand creams on the market is L’Occitane’s iconic Shea Butter Hand Cream. What stood out for us during the testing process is that it doesn’t feel greasy, despite being supremely thick in texture – though do bear in mind that you don't need to apply much of it at a time. The price tag isn’t exactly cheap, but at 150ml you do get significantly more product than other brand’s 75ml offerings, and the tube will last you ages!
Pros
- Rich in shea butter, which is very nourishing
- Particularly ideal for dry skin
Cons
- Quite a thick consistency, which won't suit all preferences
RRP: £22 for 75ml (£12.50 for members) | Key ingredients: Shea butter, retinol
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
We don't think we've ever tried a beauty product from Beauty Pie that we haven't loved. The texture of this hand cream is lovely and ideal for those who don't like a very thick formula; it stretches nicely and soaks in with ease. With moisturising shea butter, the thing that sets it apart from many, many hand creams on the market is the inclusion of retinol, a powerhouse of a skincare ingredient that is known to improve skin texture. Our tester actually noticed a difference in how smooth her hands looked after just one application, something that lasted through to the following day – extremely impressive!
Pros
- Speeds up cell turnover to renew skin
- Targets the visible signs of skin ageing
- Great for fine lines and uneven texture on the hands
Cons
- Retinol won't suit sensitive skin
RRP: £28 for 100ml | Key ingredients: Shea butter, sesame oil, Japanese mulberry
Clarins is one of those trusted beauty counter brands that has amassed legions of loyal fans of its skincare products – including the iconic Hand & Nail Treatment, which comes in the classy red-and-white packaging you know and love. What struck us about it is that it’s very lightweight, sinks in with ease, and it’s easy to control how much is dispensed from the squeezy tube when on the go. Icons are iconic for a reason: they are loved by the masses.
Pros
- Lightweight texture
- Sophisticated fragrance
Cons
- Fragrance won't suit all tastes
RRP: £29 for 75ml | Key ingredients: Allantoin
First created in 1930 by the woman herself, Eight Hour Cream has been around for most of our entire lifetimes. For the uninitiated, the story behind this particular beauty icon is that one of Arden’s clients used the original cream on her child’s grazed knee, and within the famous timeframe, it drastically improved. Now, that legacy has been extended to lip balms and this very hand cream. We found that this is more of a thick cream in the traditional sense, and it really softened our hands after the very first application without any off-putting, greasy feeling.
Pros
- Nourishing formula
- Works to moisturise and soothe the skin
- Distinctive, recognisable fragrance
Cons
- More of an oil-rich balm than a cream
RRP: £12 for 75ml | Key ingredients: Shea butter, grape seed oil & polyphenols
This hand cream already occupies a space on our tester’s bedside table, so it must be worth its salt. We could leave the review there, but we know you’d probably like to hear a little bit more about it; it sinks in brilliantly with a nice hydrating consistency and instantly quenches our dehydrated-feeling hands. That said, it doesn’t have a very thick consistency for heavy nourishment, so it is perhaps best for a general day-to-day hand cream rather than for those with exceptionally dry skin conditions.
Pros
- Thick and nourishing texture absorbs well
- Very moisturising
- Reasonably priced for the size
Cons
- Hard to fault, but extremely dry and sensitive skins would need a different formula
RRP: £9.45 for 75ml | Key ingredients: Urea, ceramides, natural moisturising factors
You may recognise this Eucerin number from passing by it on the shelves of Boots, but don’t let its traditional drugstore look put you off; this brand is a household name for a reason. Yes, it’s fuss-free and a bit clinical, but we can attest that dryness is no match for it. This is a deeply moisturising buy that’s great for excessively dry hands, thanks to the inclusion of urea, plus ceramides to support the skin barrier. We can also attest to the lasting effects of the cream. Yes, lovelier-smelling creams are available, but if it's pure, wallet-friendly efficacy for dry hands that you’re after we don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Pros
- Well suited to extremely dry and sensitive skin
- Very affordable
- Great reparative formula
Cons
- Not particularly luxurious in look or feel
How we tested the best hand creams
To ensure that the final edit was a true representation of the best buys on the market, our tester went back to some of her existing favourites that she's tested and loved during her career as a beauty editor, as well as some she hadn't previously tried on top of the latest hand cream launches.
We also ensured that selections ranged from under £15, budget-friendly picks to very high-end luxurious brands to ensure that a broad range would be included in the final in-depth guide. Each cream was tested at least once, with its results observed throughout the day, and the following factors were all taken into account during the trialling period.
- Noteworthy ingredients: Barrier-supporting ingredients, such as ceramides, or hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid were plus points.
- Texture and consistency: Was the formula thick and nourishing, or a fast-absorbing lotion?
- How well it absorbed: Was there a lasting or greasy or sticky feeling, or could you carry on with tasks almost straight away?
- How our hands felt after applying: Was there a noticeable improvement in the softness or condition of our hands, both right away and through the day?
- Packaging: How luxe did the packaging look and feel? Most importantly, was the product easy to dispense, or messy and fiddly?
- Price: A higher price doesn't necessarily make for a better product; what we were looking for was good value for money in line with the performance.
FAQ
How often should you apply hand cream?
“This very much depends on the product and on the skin condition,” says Dr Shotter. “At least twice a day is basic guidance, but if you suffer from irritated or dry skin on the hands, I would recommend doing so after every time you wash your hands.”
Dr Mahto agrees that it’s best to apply your hand cream in the following instances.
After washing your hands: "Frequent handwashing can strip the skin of its natural oils. Apply hand cream immediately after washing to prevent moisture loss."
Throughout the day: "Reapply as needed, especially if you have dry skin or work in a profession that requires frequent handwashing or exposure to harsh chemicals."
Before bed: "Applying hand cream before bed allows it to work overnight to repair and hydrate your hands."
How much hand cream should you use and can you put too much on?
Dr Mahto says that it's not necessarily the case that you can apply too much hand cream, "But applying an excessive amount can lead to a greasy or sticky feeling. Generally, using a pea-sized amount and applying it after hand washing or when your hands feel dry is sufficient for most individuals."
Quite often, hand cream formulas stretch further than you think, and it's always easier to add than take away. "If you find that your hands still feel greasy or uncomfortable, you may be using too much, and you can adjust the frequency accordingly," Dr Mahto says.
What is the best hand cream for ageing hands?
“Anti-ageing partly involves hydration status, but can also involve active ingredients to help boost collagen stimulation or to help target pigmentation," says Dr Shotter. Retinol in particular is an ingredient that is proven to improve the visible signs of aging in the skin, targeting fine lines and pigmentation, so Beauty Pie's hand cream is a particularly good option in our guide on that front. It is imperative that you apply SPF during the day if you are using retinol on your hands – our guide on how often you should use retinol has more expert advice on using this ingredient in your regime.
Our expert panel
Lucy Abbersteen is a freelance beauty editor and one of woman&home's contributing beauty editor. With close to a decade of experience in the industry, she's tested a lot of skin and bodycare products during her career, including dozens of hand creams. As well as this, her hands are very prone to dryness and the odd bout of eczema, so she always has one on standby and knows which formulas are a cut above the rest.
Dr Anjali Mahto is a consultant dermatologist and the founder of the Self London clinic. She is also the author of The Skincare Bible: Your No-Nonsense Guide to Great Skin. As an incredibly experienced and qualified skin expert, she has explained some of the key ingredients to look out for in a good hand cream.
Dr Sophie Shotter is an experienced aesthetics doctor and the founder of the Illuminate Skin Clinic, practising on London's Harley Street and in Kent. She is also the President of the British College of Aesthetic Medicine and has won a number of awards for her work as an aesthetic doctor.