The 15 Best Hand Creams for Soft, Sensual Skin, Tested by Editors
Touch me, baby.
Gabrielle Ulubay
As far back as I can remember, I've dealt with extremely dry hands. Chronic, painful cracking and an ashy tone are my status quo. Consequently, my body skincare routine is incomplete without one of the best hand creams. Hand cream is a skincare staple that saves me time after time, emerging from my purse more frequently than my phone, keys, and wallet combined.
Moisturizing my hands 25 times a day is second nature to me—and according to board-certified dermatologist Ariel Ostad, MD, FAAD, that's how it should be. "The short-term consequence of hand dryness is having uncomfortable, dry areas of the hand," he says. As a beauty writer who is unabashedly addicted to having touchably soft skin (I swear by body lotions and body oils), finding the chicest, most moisturizing hand creams has become my little side hobby.
Like all beauty products, not all hand creams are built the same. Not only do you want to find a formula with a texture and fragrance that you like, but you also want to ensure that your hand lotion is packed with effective ingredients that provide long-term hydration. Thankfully, some of my favorite beauty brands have leveraged the powers of hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and peptides.
There is no shortage of options, from retinol-infused formulas and hand creams with SPF to eczema-approved hydrators and budget-friendly options. To help you sort through the excess of options, I spoke with board-certified dermatologists to learn exactly what to seek out in a hand cream formula. I also put together a list of Marie Claire editor-approved hand creams that are genuinely the créme de la créme.
The Best Hand Creams
Product Name | Price | Key Ingredient(s) | Scent | Superlative |
$26 | Shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and squalane | Ylang ylang and vanilla | The Best Hand Cream Overall | |
$20 | Squalane, snow mushroom, and niacinamide | Neroli and basil; Santal and vetiver; Saffron and cedar; Bergamot and hinoki; Black rose and oud | The Best Scented Hand Cream | |
$25 | Colloidal oatmeal and ceramides | None | The Best Hand Cream for Eczema | |
$52 | Sweet almond oil, shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and aloe leaf juice | Bergamot, jasmine, and sandalwood | The Best Luxury Hand Cream | |
$40 | Shea butter, glycerin, and squalane | None | The Best Multi-Use Hand Cream |
The brand that brings you one of the most user-friendly facial tanning drops in the industry also innovated this quick-absorbing hand cream. The formula manages to give my hands a youthful glisten without making them look greasy, and is laced with hydrators like shea butter and hyaluronic acid—a winning combination for increasing moisture content in the skin, says board-certified dermatologist David Li, M.D. FAAD of Boston Derm Advocate.
Key Ingredients: Shea butter (nourishing); Hyaluronic acid (hydrating); Squalane (moisturizing)
Size: 2.6 oz.
What I Love: Editor approved; Softens rough texture; Glistening finish
What I Don’t: Would love to see an unscented version
Review for MC: "This formula has everything I look for in a hand cream. It gives my skin a youthful glow and powerfully hydrates my dry calluses without leaving my hands an oily mess. Because it's non-greasy, I keep this stashed in my nightstand because I know it won't leave fingerprint marks while I'm doom-scrolling in bed." — Michelle Rostamian, Contributing Beauty Writer
Michelle Rostamian tests Lux Unfiltered hand cream.
This formula, part of the brand's beloved Saffron Cedar collection, smells fantastic, with notes of saffron, neroli, and cedarwood. It instantly fills my nose up with the saltiness of the sea and the freshness of the mountains. It also has impressive hydrating benefits thanks to ingredients like squalane and niacinamide.
Key Ingredients: Squalane (moisturizing); Snow mushroom (antioxidant-rich); Niacinamide (barrier-protecting)
Size: 2 fl. oz.
What I Love: Editor-approved; Doesn't irritate skin; Fast-absorbing
What I Don’t: Small bottle
Review for MC: "It's no wonder this hand cream has quickly taken up permanent residence in my purse—this is my all-time favorite scent from Salt Stone. It's delicious-smelling without being overpowering. Unlike most scented hand creams, this creamy formula never stings or irritates my sensitive skin. Plus, it feels super hydrating without leaving an oily residue." — Michelle Rostamian, Contributing Beauty Writer
Michelle Rostamian tests Salt + Stone hand cream.
With nourishing ingredients like colloidal oatmeal and ceramides, this sensitive skin-friendly option repairs dry, cracked skin and calms down any redness and irritation. Dr. Li notes that ceramides are a phenomenal ingredient for those with eczematic skin because they "help to improve the integrity of the skin barrier." Plus, this doesn't just have to be a hand cream—it can be used on the feet as well.
Key Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal (calming); Ceramides (barrier-protecting)
Size: 3 fl. oz.
What I Love: Multi-use for hands and feet; Editor-approved; Good for skin barrier
What I Don’t: Takes a while to blend in
Review for MC: "This is my go-to hand cream in the wintertime when my skin barrier is compromised. I tend to get dry, cracked skin on my hands when temperatures dip, and this formula effectively softens up any rough texture. A word to the wise: a little goes a long way—I only use a pea-sized amount and it gets the job done. I also like that it's thick enough to hydrate my feet." — Michelle Rostamian, Contributing Beauty Writer
Michelle Rostamian tests SkinFix hand cream.
You've heard of Oribe's award-winning hair products, but their hand cream is an underrated formula, well-deserving of its own spotlight. This lotion features a luxe blend of oils and shea butter to deeply hydrate even the most overworked hands. The fact that it boasts the brand's signature Côte d’Azur fragrance—which is equal parts floral, powdery, and fresh—is the cherry on top.
Key Ingredients: Sweet almond oil (hydrating); Shea butter (nourishing); Hyaluronic acid (hydrating); Aloe leaf juice (repairing)
Size: 3.4 oz., 1 oz.
What I Love: Super rich; Editor-approved; Comes in two sizes; Feels luxurious
What I Don’t: Some people may find the scent too strong
Review for MC: "This formula from Oribe feels insanely lightweight on the skin, yet manages to adequately hydrate my parched hands. I particularly like it on days I have cracked knuckles because it instantly smoothes them out. I'm also obsessed with the fresh scent—it smells exactly like my Oribe hair products, which means I can skip fragrance on days I'm wearing this scent on my hands and hair." — Michelle Rostamian, Contributing Beauty Writer
Michelle Rostamian tests Oribe hand cream.
For a multi-use product that gives you the most bang for your buck, this hand cream that doubles as a foot cream is a real winner. The formula has a rich texture and is infused with glycerin and squalane to offer intense hydration for skin that needs it. It also contains shea butter, an emollient that's great for locking in moisture, especially in those with dry or eczema-prone skin, says Dr. Li.
Key Ingredients: Shea butter (nourishing); Glycerin (hydrating); Squalane (moisturizing)
Size: 3.4 oz.
What I Love: Sensitive skin-friendly; Editor-approved; Thick consistency
What I Don’t: Feels a bit greasy
Review for MC: "This hand mask is as thick as they come—I reserve it on days my hands are really going through it. I particularly like to apply it after I wash my makeup brushes because my hands get so dry afterward. It cures cracked heels, too (I apply it before bed, throw on some socks, and wake up to baby-soft feet). I also love the aesthetics of the packaging—it's a nice neutral color that fits into my bathroom decor perfectly." — Michelle Rostamian, Contributing Beauty Writer
Michelle Rostamian tests Paume hand cream.
Other Hand Creams I Love
If your hands need serious TLC, this cocktail of encapsulated retinol, AHAs, peptides, and amino acids will alleviate crepiness, reduce the appearance of spots and scars, and even moisturize cuticles. It also protects your skin barrier with a mix of ceramides and peptides.
Key Ingredients: Encapsulated retinol (repairing); AHAs (exfoliating); Peptides (boosts collagen production)
Size: 2.2 oz.
What I Love: Reduces dark spots; Active ingredients; Good for cuticles
What I Don’t: Pricey for a small bottle
Customer Review: "This hand retinol has been an absolute life saver, and a forever staple in my beauty arsenal. My hands are super wrinkly, and after using this product, I have noticed the wrinkles and the dryness fading away. My hands now look softer, feel less rough, and look younger! They have a new glow that I have not seen before! Highly recommend!" — Sephora
Compromised skin barrier? No problem. This formula pulls out all the stops for maximum hydration in a thick, rich consistency. The brand's patented mix of ingredients is what makes it unique: Thermal spring water's anti-inflammatory properties relieve red, chapped hands, while sucralfate gently repairs a skin barrier that has been exposed to harsh environmental conditions. It's also the go-to hand cream for Marie Claire Beauty Director Hannah Baxter.
Key Ingredients: Thermal spring water (anti-inflammatory); Sucralfate (reparative)
Size: 3.3. oz.
What I Love: Hydration lasts through five hand washes; Combats dryness from environmental conditions; Rich texture
What I Don’t: Has a powdery finish
Customer Review: "This lotion is one of the best, it soaks into skin and does not leave it feeling sticky or greasy. Also, it does not have a noticeable fragrance." — Amazon
Add a little luxury to your everyday routine with Aesop's nourishing and non-greasy hand cream, which comes in two variations. You can't go wrong with any of the brand's fragrances, but I'll never stray from the mandarin/rosemary and leaf/cedar atlas combo. Grab a tube and a pump bottle so you never, ever run out.
Key Ingredients: Sweet almond oil (hydrating); Glycerin (hydrating)
Size: 2.5 oz, 16.9 oz
What I Love: Editor-approved; Popular scent; Two sizes
What I Don’t: Expensive
Customer Review: "This may be the finest lavender-based hand cream on the market. It is rich and moisturizing without being goopy or sticky. The scent is subtle, pleasant, and calming." — Neiman Marcus
At just $10, this hand cream is luxuriously creamy. Thanks to the ultra-hydrating glycerin in its formula, it restores moisture to dry winter hands and erases any signs of ashiness immediately. Although thick, it's fast-absorbing and dries matte, so I don't have to worry about getting my keyboard greasy as I type.
Key Ingredients: Glycerin (hydrating)
Size: 3.4 oz.
What I Love: Editor-approved; Contains glycerin; A little goes a long way; Fast-absorbing
What I Don’t: Not available at many major retailers
Customer Review: "This is absolutely the best hand cream. No other hand cream even comes close. It moisturizes without that greasy or watery feel, and my hands stay moisturized until I wash them." — Herbacin
Malin+Goetz is one of my favorite brands, with lightly scented offerings that look chic, feel amazing, and work effectively. This hand cream is no different. People always compliment me when I apply it because the bergamot smells absolutely incredible. A little goes a long way, so don't be fooled by the little tube—it'll last you ages.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin B (hydrates)
Size: 1 oz.
What I Love: Editor-approved; Great smell; A little goes a long way; Contains Vitamin B
What I Don’t: Tube is made from aluminum, so you need a tube key to get every last drop
Customer Review: "This is the best lotion that I have found to date for healing my hands. It spreads easily. It doesn't smell like a women's fragrance. My hands also quickly absorb it, which does not leave my hands greasy." — Nordstrom
Mini hand creams are unequivocally the best because they can be tossed into any small bag or pocket for on-the-go application. This trio from L'Occitane is super hydrating and includes a variety of scents to match every preference, including almond, lavender, and shea butter.
Key Ingredients: Shea butter (moisturizing); Sweet almond oil (moisturizing); Lavender essential oil (soothing)
Size: 1 oz.
What I Love: Editor-approved; Three for the price of one; Made with travel in mind
What I Don’t: Fragrance may be irritating for some
Customer Review: "I don't think I'm bougie, but this brand has the best hand creams. My husband's hands get really dry/chapped from work, and after using these consistently, he says they have significantly healed/improved his skin. They also smell great in my opinion." — Sephora
Rare Beauty's niacinamide-infused hand cream may get overlooked among the brand's viral makeup launches, but the formula is definitely not one to overlook. It features all-star hydrators like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, and the packaging is also thoughtfully designed—it comes in a spill-proof bottle, and the cap stays on (so you won't lose it). The shape of the bottle is also nice for giving yourself a little hand massage post-application.
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide (barrier restoring); Ashwaganda extract (moisturizing); Hyaluronic acid (hydrating)
Size: 1.6 oz.
What I Love: Top is connected to bottle; Light, earthy scent; 16-hour hydration
What I Don’t: Pricey for amount of product
Customer Review: "Bought this cream a week ago and love it. The smell is so nice and my hands feel like silk after putting it on. The #1 thing I adore with this cream is that it absorbs so fast. I hate having to wait around because my hands are too greasy." — Sephora
The first thing I do when I get in my car is slather my hands in this formula from Supergoop! The hand cream-sunscreen hybrid is made with SPF 40 to protect against sun damage. Unlike other sunscreens that leave a white cast, feel chalky, and leave behind an oily residue, this one melts quickly into the skin without making my steering wheel greasy. It also boasts a pleasant scent of vanilla, clove, cinnamon, and eucalyptus.
Key Ingredients: Sea buckthorn fruit (conditioning); Meadowfoam seed oil, argan oil and glycerin complex (hydrating)
Size: 6.76 oz
What I Love: Editor-approved; Comes in travel size; Doesn't feel greasy
What I Don’t: Pump on the bigger size can be finnicky
Customer Review: "Love the feeling of this hand cream. The main reason I purchased was to protect my hands from aging In the sun since they are always uncovered. I wasn’t expecting to love the consistency so much but it’s really nice. It soaks right in and leaves your hands looking very hydrated and healthy while not feeling greasy at all. I would definitely recommend this product." — Supergoop!
The skin above your neck isn’t the only thing that could use some overnight attention. Fenty Beauty’s Intensive Hand Mask is a thick occlusive made with 40 percent glycerin to deeply hydrate and soften dry hands overnight (and if you have cracked or rough heels, you can apply this on your feet as well and get double the moisture).
Key Ingredients: Glycerin (hydrating); Panthenol (conditioning); Murumuru and mango butters (soften skin)
Size: 2.5 oz.
What I Love: It has a thick texture that deeply hydrates
What I Don’t: Some reviewers say the thick texture can make the hands feel tacky
Customer Review: “My hands have been in brutal shape this winter to the point of cracking and bleeding. Put it on before bed and woke up this morning to zero hang nails, skin no longer pulling, and dryness and wrinkles gone! Witchcraft?!” — Sephora
At just $13, this hand cream will give you your money’s worth and then some. That’s because, in addition to being hydrating enough to moisturize and repair rough, dry hands, it also comes in handy for addressing a variety of skin issues, from eczema and rashes to (according to a handful of reviewers) even minor cuts and burns. Its healing properties can likely be chalked up to the inclusion of La Roche-Posay’s Thermal Spring Water, a mineral-rich ingredient that can soothe irritation and calm inflamed skin.
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide (barrier-protecting); Glycerin (hydrating); La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water (soothing)
Size: 1.69 oz.
What I Love: It’s cheap; It can be used to address multiple issues
What I Don’t: It has a thick texture that can be a little tough to rub in
Customer Review: “This stuff is definitely a step above just basic lotion for helping to relieve dry, cracked skin. I get brittle and cracked skin a lot on my hands and feet, especially during the winter months. This helped to soothe these areas pretty fast, gave me more mobility where the dry skin was, and overall just helped it feel better.” — Ulta
What Ingredients Should I Look For in a Hand Cream?
When looking for the best hand cream to combat dryness, look for clinically proven ingredients to boost hydration. Dr. Ostad recommends "ceramides and hyaluronic acid to help moisturize and strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier." He also suggests seeking out niacinamide, because it boosts skin hydration and helps minimize moisture loss. Rich, natural ingredients like shea butter and aloe vera are also effective for irritated, dry skin.
According to Dr. Ostad, certain ingredients should also be avoided. "Parabens, for example, can cause dryness and irritation," he says. While he maintains that scented hand creams are no less effective than non-scented options, you should avoid fragrance if your skin is cracked or bleeding or if you've had allergic reactions to fragrance before.
How (and When) to Apply Hand Cream
Unlike day and night creams, hand creams should be applied more often. Apply hand lotion at least twice daily, or after every hand wash. Dr. Ostad also stresses the importance of applying cream evenly, including on the backs of your hands and the areas between your fingers.
How to Apply Hand Cream With SPF
Wearing sun protection is a major component when it comes to ensuring that your skin doesn't age prematurely. If you're applying a hand cream with SPF, board-certified dermatologist Shira Wieder, MD recommends applying the suggested amount on the packaging and reapplying every two hours. She's also a fan of products with both UVA and UVB protection.
Is Hand Cream Better Than Lotion?
It depends on what your needs are. In general, hand creams are thicker than hand lotions, which makes them higher in moisturization levels, says Dr. Li. "I almost always recommend cream rather than lotion, as lotions tend to dry out very quickly and can sometimes irritate skin that’s already dry and cracked," he adds.
Why Do My Hands Look Older Than My Face?
This one's actually pretty simple. On most days, you'll always remember to moisturize and apply sunscreen or other skincare products to your face and neck, but it's common to forget to give your hands that same amount of care. "The back of the hands are an oft-forgotten area that get significant amounts of sun," Dr. Wieder says. "In addition, the skin on the back of your hands is thinner and more delicate. It has fewer oil glands than the face, leading to more dryness, crepey, textural changes, and fine lines." It's for this reason, Dr. Wieder says, that your hands can often show your age better than your face can.
Can I Use Retinol On My Hands?
Retinol is one of the most raved-about anti-aging ingredients out there, and while you technically can use it on your hands, there are some caveats here. As stated before, the skin on the back of your hands is much thinner than, say, the skin above your neck, so while you can apply retinol moisturizers to your hands, they can't necessarily tolerate the same strong retinoids that your face can. "Milder prescription retinoids and over the counter retinols are often better tolerated," Dr. Wieder says. "In addition, I would recommend using smaller amounts of retinol than is typically used for the face and combining with thicker moisturizers."
She also clarifies that if you have eczema that often flares up on your hands, it's best to skip any moisturizers with retinol.
Why Trust Marie Claire
Marie Claire is an authority on creams in general, having written stories on the best formulas for every skin type. The products on this list have all been tried and tested by one of our editors or hand-picked by beauty writers after testing the product over a few weeks.
While the best hand cream for you will vary based on personal preference, you truly can't go wrong with one of the items on this list. For a more personalized recommendation or if you have any concerns, check with your dermatologist.
How We Tested
Marie Claire editors and dermatologists quickly volunteered their favorite hand creams for all preferences. We also evaluated customer reviews and best-selling products across our favorite retailers. After picking 13 hand creams, a few Marie Claire staffers tested the selected products. They individually reviewed their moisturizer based on hydration level, texture, ingredients, and feel.
Meet the Expert
Dr. Ariel Ostad is a triple board-certified dermatologist and facial cosmetic surgeon. A graduate of New York University, he is currently based on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.
Dr. Li is a board-certified dermatologist trained in general, medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology.
