Want softer, more youthful looking hands? All it takes is the regular application of a hardworking and moisture-boosting hand cream. But while we invest a lot into caring for our faces, our hands are often neglected – until they’re a dry, flaky mess.
Finding the best hand cream is no easy feat, though. Heavy-duty butters leave a greasy trail on everything you touch, and anti-aging gimmicks fail to deliver on their promises. But there are some superb products out there, and below, you’ll find our handy buying guide, along with bite-size reviews of the best hand creams – so you’re sure to find what you’re looking for.
How to buy the best hand cream for you
Why do you need hand cream?
Hands are one of the first places to show tell-tale signs of aging, so you’ll want to look after them. Unfortunately, daily aggressors like central heating, stripping soap and the winter weather are a fast-track ticket to dull, dry skin. A hand cream will restore and protect your skin’s natural moisture levels, to keep your hands nourished and looking younger for longer.
How do you choose a hand cream?
It’s no different to buying a moisturiser - choosing the right hand cream depends on your skin type and concern. The first step is to work out exactly what you want from your cream. Moisture-boosting formulas heal chapped hands, while more high-tech lotions aim to fade age spots and treat eczema – there’s guaranteed to be a hand cream to suit your needs.
How much should I spend?
Pricier hand creams contain luxurious essential oils (and come in fancy packaging) while budget options often scrimp on the glamour to deliver moisture to the max. It all depends on your budget and whether you’ll use the hand cream everyday or as an occasional treat.
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The best hand creams to buy in 2018
Neutrogena Norwegian formula: Best budget hand cream
Price: Around £3.90 for 75ml - Buy now from Look Fantastic
If you’re looking for a no-frills hand cream, Neutrogena’s Norwegian Formula is the perfect choice. Inspired by the healing salves used by generations of Norwegian fisherman, it’s guaranteed to soothe the driest of hands, even in harsh conditions. Thanks to its nourishing emollients and a high concentration of moisture-boosting glycerine, dry areas are instantly hydrated while the skin’s natural barrier is repaired and protected.
It must be said, the packaging isn’t exactly stylish, and the smell is on the clinical side. Using too much can leave your mitts distinctly greasy, too. Still, for under a fiver it’s excellent value: you’ll get 200 applications from every bottle, and it comes in scented and unscented variants, so even sensitive skin types can get in on the action. Overall, Neutrogena’s Norwegian Formula is a godsend for dry, hardworking hands that need immediate relief on a budget.
Jo Malone Vitamin E Hand Treatment: Best luxury hand cream
Price: Around £42 for 100ml -Buy now from John Lewis
Jo Malone’s one of the most respected British perfumers in the business, so it’s no surprise that this Vitamin E hand cream smells as heavenly as it feels. Combining notes of pomelo and cassis, this fresh and uplifting cream will make you feel ready for Spring. The scent lingers, too, so there’s no need for perfume when you’re wearing this beauty.
It’s made from a sumptuous blend of moisturising vitamin E, wheat germ and barley. Despite the thick, rich texture it’s surprisingly non-greasy and is quickly absorbed to leave revitalised, hydrated skin. Yes, it’s expensive but there’s no joy like unwrapping Jo Malone’s beautiful black and cream gift packaging. A luxurious treat for tired hands that deserve a pamper.
Clarins Hand & Nail Treatment cream: Best all-in-one hand cream
Price: Around £21 for 100ml - Buy now from Clarins
Clarins’ Hand & Nail Treatment is perfect for lacklustre mitts craving a pick-me-up. The emollient-rich cream creates a protective “glove” that leaves your skin looking and feeling soft, supple and smooth. Made from a nourishing base of antioxidant-rich shea butter and sesame oil, it’s also packed with anti-aging Japanese mulberry to lighten age spots, along with myrrh essential oil to condition and strengthen nails and cuticles.
In all, it’s perfect for chucking in your bag, or keeping sink-side to relieve uncomfortable tightness after you’ve washed your hands. However, if your hands are suffering from serious dryness you may need something that works deeper – and the strong perfume scent might not be to everyone’s taste. Still, overall, Clarins’ Hand & Nail Treatment is a great cream that’s just as brilliant at nourishing cuticles and nails as it is hands.
Alpha-H Age Delay Hand & Cuticle Cream: Best anti-aging hand cream
Price: Around £24 for 100ml - Buy now from Cult Beauty
Alpha-H’s Age Delay Hand & Cuticle Cream promises a lot – and actually delivers. It’s specially formulated with Alpha-H’s signature glycolic acid to gradually fade age spots, hyperpigmentation and fine lines. It works by stimulating the shedding of old skin, to reveal new baby-soft skin underneath. We’re not saying all signs of aging magically disappear overnight, but if used religiously it can certainly reduce marks and plump lines.
Nourishment meanwhile is provided by jojoba and avocado essential oils, combined with ultra-moisturising vitamin E, although this cream’s not ideal for seriously dry or sensitive skin types. And while it’s on the pricey side, Alpha-H hasn’t scrimped on the quality: it smells amazing, thanks to a blend of Orange Blossom, Rose, Geranium, Chamomile and Lemon essential oils.
Neal’s Yard Bee Lovely All Over Balm: Best organic and cruelty-free hand cream
Price: Around £27 for 50g - Buy now from Neal's Yard
Neal’s Yard is known for its ethical approach to high-quality skin care, and its Bee Lovely All Over Balm is both natural and animal-friendly. Certified as 99% organic by the Soil Association, it’s a great multi-purpose product that can treat dry hands, elbows and more. A thick balm, it feels rich and indulgent, yet sinks into the skin fairly quickly; it can leave a greasy residue if you’re a bit heavy-handed during application, but it’ll make a great hand mask if you leave it on overnight with cotton gloves.
Our only niggle is that the jar is a bit clunky – and it’s another relatively pricey option, but you’ll feel good knowing that a fraction of the sales go to help a charity for protecting bees. And don’t worry, the cream’s organic honey is, of course, sustainably farmed.
Skinfix Hand Repair Cream: Best hand cream for eczema
Price: Around £10.99 for 50ml - Buy now from Boots
When eczema flares up it’s tempting to slather any old hand cream onto itchy, sore skin. Unfortunately, many creams contain fragrances and ingredients that’ll only irritate your skin more.
For a clean, gentle approach, we recommend Skinfix Hand Repair Cream. It’s dermatologically approved, and has a fast-absorbing texture that immediately gets to work treating severely dehydrated, red skin with an ultra-moisturising mix of shea butter, sweet almond oil and vitamin E. It forms a protective barrier that locks moisture in and keeps any nasties out from the very first application; apply it throughout the day - especially after washing your hands - and your skin will thank you for it.
