The Best Hand Creams of 2024
Amid all the chaos that life throws at us, our hands are the one body part we neglect the most. When it comes to skincare, our first thought is to focus on the face, but our hands do so much for us, they deserve care as well. The skin on your hands can easily become dry, irritated, and rough. Be it cold weather, strong detergents, frequent washing, or cleaning products containing bleach, your hands have faced it all.
All these factors point you toward just one product that can help you maintain attractive, touchable hands—a quality hand cream. Let’s review the best hand creams of 2024 so you can get the soft, supple skin you have always dreamed of. The luxurious KAI hand cream by Gaye Straza is our top pick for its hydrating, yet non-greasy formula. Read through all of our options and our buying guide to find the one that’s right for you.
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Best Overall
KAI By Gaye Straza Hand Cream
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Best for Sensitive Skin
Gold Bond Hand Cream
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Best for Dry Skin
Burt’s Bees Hand Cream
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Best for Cracked Skin
O’Keeffe’s Hand Cream
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Best Scent
EOS Hand Cream
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Finding the Best Hand Cream: A Buying Guide
To help you navigate the many options in the world of hand care, we scoured the internet for top-rated hand creams suitable for all skin types. Shopping for a hand cream sounds simple enough, right? You just walk into the store, grab it, and voila. Moisture problem solved. But it's not as easy as it sounds, and certain parameters must be considered before making a purchase.
Factors to Look for When Shopping for Hand Creams
Ingredients
The purpose of good hand cream is to nourish your hands. Look for humectants such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid that are good for drawing moisture into the skin. Shea butter, ceramides, petroleum, or dimethicone will seal in the moisture and create a skin barrier. This protective layer on your skin prevents the loss of hydration.
Absorption
Given how much we use our hands, getting a cream that quickly absorbs into the skin is essential. We are sure you would not want your hands to feel slimy while working. So, get a hand cream that penetrates deeply but also absorbs quickly for better results.
Texture
One common mistake that we have often observed is that people often get confused between hand creams and body lotions. To make it simple, remember that hand creams will be a lot thicker due to their high oil percentage. In contrast, body lotions will be thinner due to their high water content.
Many companies use butter, especially shea butter, in their hand creams, for its proven benefits. The texture of the butter is thick and leathery, but it should be lightweight for fast absorption into the skin to avoid tacky palms and greasy hands.
Season-appropriate
The golden rule of changing your skincare regimen applies here too. With changing seasons, your skin products should also change to cater to the current weather concerns. Keep an eye out for extra hydrating creams during winter, as cold weather tends to dry our hands, making the skin feel chapped or cracked.
Scent
From unscented to scented, there are a plethora of hand creams to try. Ask yourself whether you want creams with a strong aroma or would prefer something more subtle. If you are allergic to strong smells, getting an unscented cream may be the right choice. Keep an eye out for all-natural organic creams. If you are someone who lives for aromatic fragrances, scented creams are also available. Also, some fragrances have substantial therapeutic benefits, such as citrus for energizing and uplifting or lavender for promoting better sleep.
Ease of application
Hand creams that come in squeeze tubes are more beneficial and portable as they easily disperse the right amount of product. Pumps often let out more products than needed as they offer little control. Thicker hand buttery creams come in tubs or containers. You can scoop how much or little you need. The downside of tubs is that germs can get inside the jar when you dip your fingers in. So try to scoop it with a small spoon to counter this.
Symptoms of Dry Skin
- Itchiness: One of the common symptoms of dry hands is that the skin itches all over. The itch disturbs daily activities and, at times, becomes unbearable.
- Flaking: When moisture is lost, the skin starts to flake off. The skin on the hands becomes rough.
- Cracking: When skin dries intensely, it starts to shrink. Shrinking causes cracks to form. At times cracks form too deep and often bleed, resulting in pain.
How to Prevent Dry Hands
- Hydration—we can’t stress this enough, as it's one of the major concerns for dry, rough hands. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking at least 8 cups of water every day.
- Try to develop a habit of wearing rubber gloves while doing the house chores such as dishes or laundry.
- Ensure that the water temperature is not too hot while you do dishes. Hot water damages the skin barrier, thus making your hands dry.
- Layer a generous amount of creams every time you wash your hands for softer, more plump skin.
Benefits of Using Hand Creams
- These creams soothe and soften your skin, cuticles, and nails. They protect your hands and smooth out cracks that occur over time.
- Hand creams restore and replenish mature-looking skin to give your hands a younger look.
- These creams also contain antibacterial chemicals, which help to keep the germs at bay.
- Many hand creams have essential oils or synthetic fragrances, making the experience more delightful.
Reviewing the Best Hand Creams of 2024
KAI By Gaye Straza Hand Cream
Pros
- Luxurious and deeply hydrating formula
- Elegant yet subtle fragrance
- Has a non-greasy texture
Cons
- Relatively higher price point
Indulge in the sheer luxury of KAI By Gaye Straza hand cream. It’s an exquisite hand care essential that transcends the ordinary by elevating your daily routine to a pampering ritual. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this hand cream is designed to envelop your skin in a cocoon of pure and lavish hydration. With every application, your hands will be treated to a rich yet non-greasy formula.
This hand cream penetrates deeply into the skin to replenish moisture and rejuvenate the surface of your skin. That way, you can say goodbye to dryness and discomfort as you welcome the sensation of soft and velvety hands. What truly sets this hand cream apart is its enchanting fragrance. Immerse yourself in a delicate and alluring scent that lingers on your skin. This product serves as a decadent escape from the ordinary, making it our top choice.
Gold Bond Hand Cream
Pros
- Moisturizing and fragrance-free
- Lightweight formula for all skin types
- Fast-absorbing for ease of use
Cons
- Some may find it too sticky
If you're looking for creams with aloe, the Gold Bond healing hand cream is a good place to start. Not only does it have soothing aloe, but it is power-packed with seven intense moisturizers. The three essential Vitamins, A, C, and E, also offer deep moisture to your hands. Its fragrance-free formula and hydrating properties that last 24 hours are all you need to say goodbye to cracked skin.
This product is not only hydrating but also improves the appearance of the skin and protects it against environmental stressors. The impressive thing about this pick is that it even lasts through frequent handwashing. The positive ions in the cream attach moisture to the skin, so the protective layer stays on even when you wash your hands vigorously. Plus, being hypoallergenic, it's suitable for all skin types. The therapeutic properties of this healing tube for soft, healthy skin are worth every penny.
Burt’s Bees Hand Cream
Pros
- Budget-friendly, high-quality product
- Hypoallergenic and soothes sensitive skin
- It has a lasting effect
Cons
- May have a heavy texture
This Burt Bees Ultimate Care hand cream is dermatologists’ favorite for being all-natural. Formulated with green tea extract and emollients like baobab, watermelon, and pumpkin seed oil, this product ensures soft, smooth skin. It's packed with lactic acid that gently exfoliates the skin and removes dead cells. It's also non-greasy and gives a silky smooth finish.
This product is a one-stop purchase for all your moisturizing needs—be it dry skin or rough cuticles, repairing or revitalizing, it caters to all your hand-related concerns. It's free from toxic chemicals and sourced from organic ingredients. If you don’t like overwhelming smells, this pick might be perfect for you as it has a sweet, natural honey scent. It has become an all-time hand care essential due to its incredibly wallet-friendly price. Get this powerhouse of intense hydration to treat your parched hands.
O’Keeffe’s Hand Cream
Pros
- Affordable price point
- Conveniently fragrance-free
- Boosts moisture levels
Cons
- May be difficult to spread
Known as a miracle worker, this O’Keeffe’s Working Hands hand cream has a large following with almost 78,000 ratings on Amazon. This drugstore lotion has ultra-concentrated ingredients like glycerin and dimethicone, which are effective skin protectants. The solid buttery balm leaves the skin silky-soft, providing much-needed doses of intense hydration. It's also odorless, making it suitable for people sensitive to strong smells.
Designed specifically for parched hands, this cream intends to heal, relieve, and repair your damaged skin efficiently. It ensures moisture retention by creating a protective layer to help prevent further drying, making your hands soft and supple. To get the maximum benefits of this magical lotion, apply it at night or right after showering to replenish your hands’ skin. Now you can work tirelessly and be assured that your hands will not look aged with regular use of this rejuvenating hand cream.
EOS Hand Cream
Pros
- Tested by leading dermatologists
- Provides lasting moisture and comfort
- Boost's the skin hydration
Cons
- Scent may be overwhelming for some
In search of cream with a fantastic scent and excellent nourishing capabilities? This EOS shea butter hand cream has a warm, sun-kissed coconut scent that is sure to mesmerize you. The dreamy notes of creamy coconut, solar musk, and lush hibiscus create a beautiful aroma with every application. Infused with natural ingredients, this pick is free from parabens, gluten, and phthalate.
It provides instant hydration and comfort with seven nourishing oils and rich, creamy butter. This hand cream is also hypoallergenic and provides 24-hour hydration. The non-greasy, fast-absorbing formula is the ultimate solution to dry, rough hands. The luxurious shea butter creates weather and water-resistant protective barrier, which acts as a protective layer on the skin. This hand cream lasts even after washing, giving your hands comfortable, soft skin all day long.
People Also Ask
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Q: Do hand creams really work?
A:Yes, hand creams do hydrate your skin. They nourish and moisturize the hands for a soft and smooth touch. Some creams have ingredients that help to restore and repair the skin on your hands. In contrast, others target the appearance of your skin and have anti-aging properties.
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Q: How do I seal in moisture on my skin?
A:The best way to seal in moisture on your skin is to apply the cream when your hands are slightly damp.
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Q: When should I apply hand cream?
A:There is no right or wrong time to apply hand cream. You can use it throughout the day with regular intervals in between or you may apply it at night.
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