Hand cream is a product that is commonly neglected in skincare, but hands tend to be the first area to show signs of aging and dehydration. There is no luxury in using the best hand creams, but an utter necessity.
In this guide, we will discuss why hand cream is necessary, what factors to keep in mind when purchasing, as well as provide a list of our favorite hand creams of every skin type and budget.
Why You Need a Good Hand Cream
Our hands are the ultimate multi-taskers but they come with a price:
- So much washing takes away natural oils.
- Changes in weather causes cracking and flaking.
- Over sanitizing can cause extreme dryness.
- Ageing causes them to thin out and they end up looking older more quickly.
A great hand cream:
- Moisturizes and hydrates
- Creates a shielding wall
- Aids in dissipation of premature aging
- Tightens and improves skin tone and texture
Simply put, the best hand creams may make your hands look (and feel) younger.
What to Look for in a Hand Cream
Key Ingredients to Look For
- Glycerin: Moisturizing agent that assists in retaining the moisture.
- Shea Butter: It is very moisturising and appropriate in dry skin.
- Hyaluronic Acid: hydrate and firm the skin.
- Vitamin E: Antioxidant that helps to correct skin damage.
- Urea or Lactic Acid: mildly peels dry, flaky skin.
- Ceramides: Helps to repair the natural barrier of the skin.
Ingredients to Avoid (If You Have Sensitive Skin)
- Artificial fragrances
- Parabens
- Severe alcohols (such as denatured alcohol)
- Essential oils (irritating to broken or very dry skin)
Best Hand Creams by Skin Type
Let’s get into it, separated into skin types:
1. For Extremely Dry & Cracked Hands
Luxury:
- L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream
Drugstore:
- Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream
India Option:
- Himalaya Rich Cocoa Butter Hand Cream
2. For Sensitive Skin
Luxury:
- Avène Cold Cream Hand Cream
Drugstore:
- CeraVe Reparative Hand Cream
India Option:
- Bioderma Atoderm Mains & Ongles Hand Cream
3. For Aging Hands
Luxury:
- Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream
Drugstore:
- Olay Total Effects 7 in One Anti-Ageing Hand Cream
India Option:
- Plum Age Specialist Hand Cream with Bakuchiol
4. For Oily or Sweaty Hands
Luxury:
- The Body Shop Almond Milk Hand Cream
Drugstore:
- Nivea Soft Light Moisturiser (multi-use)
India Option:
- Dot & Key Hand Cream with Shea + Sanitizer
5. For Daily Use at Work or On-the-Go
Luxury:
- Chanel La Crème Main
Drugstore:
- Vaseline Intensive Care Healthy Hands Stronger Nails
India Option:
- mCaffeine Coffee Hand Cream
How to Use Hand Cream for Best Results
Even the most high quality hand creams will be useless unless you use them properly. To keep hydrated in the best manner, use the following tips:
- Apply following hand wash
Washing strips oil- always follow up with cream. - Use at times before bed
It is the best time of night to repair Apply it and use cotton gloves to deeply hydrate overnight. - Do not neglect cuticles
Apply a bit more cream to your nail and cuticles; this will help them avoid brittleness. - Apply again during the day
Particularly, following sanitization or washing of hands
Natural Alternatives for DIY Fans
Prefer to do it yourself? These are some natural hand moisturizers:
- Shea butter balm +
- Coconut oil
- Overnight mask with Honey and Olive oil
- Vitamin E capsule mix with Aloe vera gel
Note – Natural oils and butters are to be patch-tested in case of allergy or sensitive skin.
Mistakes to Avoid with Hand Creams
- Not using it during summer: Hydration is never optional, regardless of what time of year it is.
- Applying body lotion on hands: Most are too oily or too slow to absorb.
- Near-miss ingredients: Fragrance-free, in case you are sensitive.
- Not exfoliating: Do a light scrub once a week so that creams may penetrate deeper.
Conclusion
Spending money on the best hand creams is not only an issue of beauty but of taking care of one of the most used parts of your body. Be it cracked knuckles, age spots or simply wanting baby-soft hands, there is a product available to you.
More sophisticated and skin-friendly than ever before, hand creams are rich in shea butter formulas and lightweight, on-the-go. There are just too many good options in drugstores, luxury skin care lines, and Indian brands, so you are bound to find the one that perfectly fits you.
FAQs
Use after each wash and before going to bed to get the best results.
Yes-- seek creams that contain niacinamide, retinol alternatives or antioxidants.
Thicker, more concentrated and generally quicker to absorb – that's the difference between hand creams.
You may not be allergic to fragrances but those with sensitive or eczema-prone skin should stick with fragrance-free products.
Absolutely! Hand creams are good on other dry areas as well.