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18 Nourishing Hand Creams to Always Carry With You
Keep your palms and fingers hydrated with these pro picks.
I'll be the first to admit that my hands don't always get all the love and attention they deserve—with the exception of an occasional manicure—which is where using one of the best anti-aging hand creams comes in. While we often recognize the importance of layering serums, moisturizers, and protective sunscreens on our faces, many dermatologists say the same methods can be applied to the skin on our fingers and hands, too.
"I think hands are the next frontier," dermatologist and founder of Idriss Dermatology in New York City Shereene Idriss tells BAZAAR.com. "First it was the face, then the neck and the chest, and now we're moving on to hands—I'm happy that people are finally catching up." Since our hands are used for just about everything, frequent wear-and-tear can strip away their natural skin barrier, and increase their need for moisture to help repair it.
Shop the Best Anti-Aging Hand Creams
The skin on your hands is much thinner than what's on your face and more surprisingly more sensitive, which is why we should pay extra special attention to its care. "The hands experience skin aging in the same way that our face, neck and décolleté do, and in fact, it is often said that you can tell someone’s age just by looking at their hands," explains dermatologist Marisa Garshick. "This is because not only is the skin on the top of the hands very delicate and can more easily show signs of aging. The hands are often neglected when it comes to regular sun protection and the cumulative UV exposure over time can lead to skin changes. For this reason there are some hand creams designed to specifically target anti-aging concerns," she adds. Although the same anti-aging ingredients used in face products can also work for the hands, the concentration and combination of ingredients in each may vary.
To help you find the best anti-aging hand creams to use for supreme hydration, we asked a few dermatologists about some of their favorites to recommend to clients, or use themselves to combat dryness. Here, read on for 18 of the best hand creams to stash in your bag all year-round.
Chanel La Crème Main Texture Riche
Pros
- Long-lasting hydration
Cons
Fashion influencer and beauty entreprenuer Chriselle Lim swears by this coveted hand cream from Chanel, which provides up to eight hours of hydration to your hands and cuticles.
| Key ingredients: | Licorice root extract, sunflower seed wax, shea butter |
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Augustinus Bader The Hand Treatment
Augustinus Bader The Hand Treatment
Pros
- Improves elasticity
Cons
Fans of Augustinus Bader's The Rich Cream will get plenty of use out of this beloved hand treatment from the brand, which features a rich, fast-absorbing formula that sinks deeply into skin.
One satisfied customer writes:
"Truly impressive. I love that a little goes a long way, how it absorbs quickly and effortlessly, how long it keeps my hands and cuticles smooth, that it's unscented. It really does bring out the best in my skin for hands that normally get very chappy. Thank you!" —Agnes B.
| Key ingredients: | White peony extract, vitamin E, glycerin, shea butter |
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Nécessaire The Hand Cream
Pros
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
"We look at our hands more than our face so yes you should be using anti-aging creams on your hands!," explains Azadeh Shirazi, a board-certified dermatologist at La Jolla Dermatology and Laser Surgery Center in La Jolla, CA. "I love Nécessaire’s The Hand Cream because it’s fragrance-free, very rich and moisturizing, and doesn’t feel sticky on my skin afterwards."
| Key ingredients: | Vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin B³, omega-6, and omega-9, shea butter |
|---|
Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream
Pros
- Vegan
Cons
Rich in antioxidants, Garshick swears by this hand and nail cream to protect skin from free radical damage—as do over 1,400 Sephora customers. Since it features a blend grapeseed oil, vinolevure, and shea butter, it's easy to keep your digits hydrated and soft.
One satisfied customer writes:
"This hand cream is great for day and night: Rich and nourishing, but not greasy, light and pleasant scent that's not obnoxious. Absorbs fast, provides lasting hydration." —sashasash
| Key ingredients: | Grape seed oil, grape seed polyphenols, shea butter |
|---|
Supergoop Handscreen SPF 40
Pros
- Includes broad-spectrum SPF 40
Cons
Both Garshick and Shirazi recommend this broad-spectrum hand cream from Supergoop, which contains antioxidants to help protect the skin on your hands against free radical damage while brighten its overall tone.
One satisfied customer writes:
"As someone who does their own gel manicures every other week, i wanted to find a lotion that would not only hydrate but also protect my hands from the UV light! it’s a super nourishing formula that blends in super nicely. also great for everyday lotion." —Aviva
| Key ingredients: | Avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, sunflower seed wax, mandarin orange peel oil |
|---|
Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm
Pros
- Smells great
Cons
- Not ideal for those who prefer fragrance-free hand cream
Just like the brand's cult-favorite Resurrection Aromatique hand wash, Aesop's Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm is a beauty editor hand care staple. And since it comes in a stylish, elevated tube, you'll have even more incentive to keep your palms moisturized.
| Key ingredients: | Mandarin rind, rosemary leaf, cedar atlas |
|---|
Beauty Pie Super Retinol Anti-Aging Hand Treatment
Beauty Pie Super Retinol Anti-Aging Hand Treatment
Pros
- Brightening
Cons
- May be intensive for sensitive skin
"One of my favorite hand creams is from Beauty Pie—they have a nice Super Retinol Anti-Aging Hand Treatment," Idriss says. "However, you don't necessarily have to use a treatment specifically for the hands. I advocate using beauty products that you have lying around on your shelf and not having them go to waste. If you have a retinol that might've been too harsh for your face, give it a try on the back of your hands."
| Key ingredients: | Retinol, collagen, shea butter |
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O'Keeffe's Working Hands
Pros
- Under $10
Cons
"I am obsessed with O'Keeffe's Working Hands. It's great, especially if you're somebody who washes your hands a lot throughout the day like most healthcare workers," Idriss adds.
| Key ingredients: | Water, glycerin, stearic acid |
|---|
Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+ Hand Therapy
Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+ Hand Therapy
Pros
- Minimizes dark spots, veins, and discoloration
Cons
"This hand cream uses shea butter to help boost moisture, phospholipids to strengthen the skin barrier, and glycine (an amino acid) that can help to improve the overall appearance of fine lines and wrinkles," explains Garshick.
| Key ingredients: | Shea butter, phospholipids, glycine |
|---|
AmLactin Ultra Smoothing Intensely Hydrating Cream
AmLactin Ultra Smoothing Intensely Hydrating Cream
Pros
- Fragrance-free
Cons
Both Idriss and Shirazi count themselves as fans of this lactic acid-based hand cream from AmLactin, as the ingredient has been proven to help with cell turnover and can help rejuvenate the appearance of your skin overtime.
One satisfied customer writes:
"Completely got rid of dry, rough skin within weeks. First time using this brand (Amlactin) and now lifelong customer." —Anonymous
| Key ingredients: | Lactic acid, mineral oil, petrolatum |
|---|
Medik8 H.E.O. Balm
Pros
- Provides long-lasting moisture
Cons
"Medik8's moisture-boosting H.E.O. Balm uses humectants, emollients and occlusives leaving the skin on the hand looking healthy and hydrated," Garshick says.
| Key ingredients: | Jojoba seed oil, sunflower seed wax, castor seed oil |
|---|
StriVectin Volumizing Hand Cream
Pros
- Plumping
Cons
Garshick also suggests using this anti-wrinkle hand cream to brighten and moisturize skin while improving its overall dryness and crepiness. It's formulated with NIA-114 which works to strengthen the skin barrier.
One satisfied customer writes:
"Works great! It leaves my hands soft and younger looking." —Heidi G.
| Key ingredients: | Arbutin, sea salt ferment, beet root extract |
|---|
Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream
Pros
- Provides long-lasting moisture
Cons
"I also love using Neutrogena's Norwegian Hand Cream during winter months," Idriss adds, "since the formula is extremely thick and deeply moisturizing."
| Key ingredients: | Water, glycerin |
|---|
Skincare LdeL Cosmetics Retinol Anti-Aging Hand Cream
Skincare LdeL Cosmetics Retinol Anti-Aging Hand Cream
Pros
- Nongreasy
Cons
Board-certified dermatologist Shari Sperling, D.O. recommends this anti-aging hand cream to her clients, as it contains vitamins A, C, and, E, plus retinol to encourage cell turnover. Plus, the popular cream has nearly 5,000 fans on Amazon.
One satisfied customer writes:
"Not sure what wizardry this stuff performs but it’s pretty incredible. I’ve never felt any type of lotion that feels silkier than this stuff…not even close. I put it on my hands and feet at night and wake up with both feeling so good. This is the only thing that’s help my dry hands and feet from the brutal northeast winter. The scent isn’t great, but small price to pay. Will definitely be buying again and again." —Pamela L.
| Key ingredients: | Retinol, vitamins A, vitamin C, and vitamin E |
|---|
CeraVe Healing Ointment
Pros
- Relieves chapped or cracked skin
Cons
"Applying a heavy ointment like this one to damp skin and covering your hands in white cotton gloves for 30 minutes to an hour can really helps hydrate the skin, as you seal in moisture using this technique," Shirazi says.
| Key ingredients: | Ceramides, hyaluronic acid, petrolatum |
|---|
Skinfix Eczema+ Hand Repair Cream
Pros
- Ideal for easily irritated skin
Cons
"In terms of deeply moisturizing creams for drier hands in winter, I personally tend to favor Skinfix's options," she adds.
| Key ingredients: | Colloidal oatmeal, allantoin, sweet almond oil |
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Ultimate Strength Hand Salve
Pros
- Deeply moisturizing
Cons
This best-selling hand salve is a must-have for any body care rotation, and contains key ingredients like shea butter, avocado, and sesame seed oils for a glove-like barrier that locks in moisture.
One satisfied customer writes:
"This is the perfect hand cream. It is so hydrating but does not leave that annoying oily residue on your hands. It's definitely my go-to in the dryer, winter months!" —jackie96
| Key ingredients: | Shea butter, avocado oil, sesame seed oil |
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L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream
Over 16,000 Amazon shoppers are raving about L'Occitane's moisturizing, but not greasy, Shea Butter Hand Cream. Shea butter works as the main ingredient to keep dryness at bay, and is combined with honey, almond extracts, and coconut oil to leave hands ultra supple.
One satisfied customer writes:
"The best hand cream ever. Very moisturizing and lasts for a long time. It stays. Most lotions are gone within minutes after applying. this one hangs around for a good while. I work with my hands a lot and this is my salvation. It keeps them moisturized and keeps them from cracking and splitting." —S. Lawrence
| Key ingredients: | Shea butter, honey, almond extracts, and coconut oil |
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Meet the Experts
- Marisa Garshick, M.D., F.A.A.D, is a board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.
- Shereene Idriss, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist and owner of Idriss Dermatology in New York City.
- Azadeh Shirazi, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist at La Jolla Dermatology and Laser Surgery Center in La Jolla, California.
Why trust Harper's BAZAAR?
For more than 150 years, Harper’s BAZAAR has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.
Tiffany Dodson is currently the associate beauty commerce editor at Harper’s Bazaar, where she specializes in trend forecasting, building relationships with major and emerging brands, and crafting shopping stories—from holiday gift guides to product road tests. Tiffany's work has previously been featured in outlets like SELF, Bustle, and Teen Vogue, and she's been quoted as a commerce and beauty expert in publications and platforms like The Business of Fashion and NPR’s Life Kit podcast.
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