13 best hand creams, reviewed by editors with dry hands
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Having one of the best hand creams in your skincare stash is a must – all year round. Trust us when we tell you that your keeping your hands, nails and cuticles hydrated can make all the difference, especially if you want to keep your mani looking nice and fresh in-between salon visits.
For those with dry skin or sensitive skin, hands can be particularly prone to sore or chapped areas. “I apply hand cream as often as I can throughout the day,” says manicurist Georgia Rae, the woman behind Sofia Richie’s wedding nails. “On a busy day, I’ll at least use one with SPF in the morning and a rich, nourishing formula in the evening as the final step in my nighttime routine. I do the same for my clients, depending on the time of day I see them.”
We often forget just how much we put our hands through on a day-to-day basis – from washing and sanitising to cooking and cleaning. Add external factors like pollution, weather changes, and even UV lamps from manicures, and it’s clear our hands deserve some serious TLC. “We really should be reapplying hand cream with SPF throughout the day,” Georgia adds, “much like we do with our face, they’re the only two areas constantly exposed to the elements.”
Long story short, even if your facial skincare routine is flawless (moisturisers, cleansers, and face serums, included), your hands shouldn’t be left behind. Georgia’s go-to picks offer a roadmap: “For daytime, I love the Clé De Peau Beauté Hand Cream. It contains SPF, smells beautiful, comes in a handy smaller size for your bag, and is super hydrating without being greasy, perfect for on-the-go use. Most evenings, I reach for the iconic L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream. It’s deeply nourishing, and I always wake up with baby-soft hands. It’s a bedside table staple, and I keep minis tucked into every bag and pocket.”
To help you find the most nourishing (and non-greasy) hand creams out there, we’ve put together a guide of our top picks with formulas that will leave your hands, nails and cuticles in tip-top condition.
Meet the expert:
- Georgia Rae, International Manicurist who counts Sofia Richie as a client.
How we tested best hand creams
Between us, the GLAMOUR team has trialled more hand creams than we can count – from pharmacy staples to luxury launches – putting them through their paces across different skin types and age groups. For this guide, we whittled down the edit to only the formulas we’d happily reach for again and again.
Each cream was assessed not just on its ingredients list and price point, but also on the everyday experience: how easily it applies, how nourished our hands felt after both single and repeated use, and whether the scent (if there is one) felt uplifting or overwhelming.
- Number of editors testing: 4.
- Factors considered: Price, ingredients, ease of application, moisture levels, scent.
The result? A line-up of hand creams that genuinely deliver, spanning every budget and preference. Find out more about how we test.
What to look for when buying hand creams
With so many hand creams to choose from, narrowing it down to just one (or 14, in our case) is no easy feat. So allow us to remind you of the key factors to keep in mind when selecting your next purchase from out edit.
Ingredients: First of all, consider the ingredients list. We recommend looking out for ceramides, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, aloe vera and emollients such as avocado oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil for lasting hydration, especially if you want your hands to go from desert-dry to silky-smooth almost instantly.
Brands: Next up, the brands. While European pharmaceutical brands such as La Roche-Posay and Eucerin certainly serve up some seriously nourishing hand creams to help with eczema outbreaks and other skin conditions, it's also worth taking a look at Glossier and Rare Beauty, particularly if you're after lightweight creams that won't feel greasy.
Price point: Hand creams can really vary when it comes to price point – from supermarket hero buys to the glossiest of luxury labels. Ingredient lists can differ wildly too, depending on whether the formula leans organic, spotlights natural extracts, or is packed with rich, indulgent oils. That said, sometimes the higher price tag reflects branding more than the blend itself. So, always scan the label so you know exactly what you’re paying for – unless, of course, you’re simply swayed with the name on the tube.
How to keep hands healthy
First, you want to make sure you're completely drying your hands each time you wash them. Hands that drip-dry are likely to become more parched as the water evaporates off them.
Next, choose a thoroughly nourishing hand cream to help keep the skin plump, smooth and hydrated. Use it every single time you wash your hands to add the moisture back in. If your hands are feeling sensitive, it's best to opt for a fragrance-free option.
And if your hands and nails are in need of a proper pampering session, be sure to pair your hand cream with a quality cuticle oil and finish everything off with a deeply nourishing hand mask.
How often should you use a hand cream
Georgia Rae applies hand cream at least twice a day – an SPF-infused formula in the morning (and top-ups depending on the weather), followed by something richer and more hydrating at night. It’s a routine worth copying if you’re looking to really elevate your hand care game. For most of us, though, it’s more instinctive: reaching for a tube when our hands feel dry, tight, or straight after washing them. So it's always helpful to have one to hand.
What ingredients to avoid in a hand cream
Now, talk of which ingredients to avoid can divide beauty fans into two camps. ‘Clean’ beauty lovers who prefer to avoid parabens, perfumes, alcohols, silicones and PEGs (polyethylene glycols) – all ingredients found in some hand creams – and those who are happy to use whatever falls under the legal realm of ok. This, of course, comes down to personal preference and each person will have a different stance.
Below, the best hand creams according to our beauty editors.
L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream
Why we love it: Formulated with a high concentration of organic fair-trade shea butter, this cream is designed to work on especially dry skin to help people restore their natural skin barrier. 95% of what's inside comes from natural origins, and it's suitable for vegans. Fast-absorbing and deeply nourishing, it leaves hands feeling soft and smooth all day – no wonder it’s one of L’Occitane’s best-sellers.
- Key ingredients: Shea butter, argan oil, coconut oil.
- Fragrance: Nutty floral.
- Size: 30 or 150ml.
- Cruelty-free? No.
Soap & Glory Hand Food Hand Cream Mini
Why we love it: If you’re after a budget-friendly hand cream that still feels like a little luxury, Soap & Glory’s Hand Food deserves a spot on your radar. It’s perfectly sized to slip into any handbag (or even your pocket), and while the price tag is low, the formula is anything but basic – delivering an instant hit of hydration. And the scent is noticeable enough to catch a whiff of whenever you reach for it.
- Key ingredients: Glycerin, grape seed oil, shea butter.
- Fragrance: Pink rose and bergamot.
- Size: 50ml.
- Cruelty-free? Yes.
Why we love it: New beauty brands appear all the time, but even the savviest beauty buffs might not have Frama on their radar yet. We first spotted the Danish label at Copenhagen Fashion Week, and its hand cream has been a staple in our collection ever since. Fragrance is at the heart of the formula, with notes of vetiver, black pepper, bitter orange and tuya, while fatty acids, pro‑vitamin B5 and glycerin get to work hydrating skin, cuticles and nails. It also looks impossibly chic perched on the bathroom counter.
- Key ingredients: Fatty acids, pro-vitamin B5, glycerin.
- Fragrance: Bitter floral.
- Size: 60ml.
- Cruelty-free? Yes.
Rare Beauty Find Comfort Hydrating Hand Cream
Why we love it: Rare Beauty's lightweight hand lotion is an absolute must-have for anyone looking to pamper themselves all year round. Infused with ashwagandha, niacinamide and peach flower extract, it nourishes the skin while keeping a non-sticky, fast-absorbing formula that locks in moisture for up to 16 hours at a time. GLAMOUR's Beauty Contributor Denise Primbet swears by it, praising not only its compact, travel-friendly design but also the way it leaves hands feeling soft, smooth and utterly non-greasy. Whether you’re reaching for it at your desk, slipping it into your handbag, or using it before bed, this cream manages to feel luxurious without ever being fussy.
- Key ingredients: Ashwagandha, niacinamide, peach flower extract.
- Fragrance: Woody lemon.
- Size: 53ml.
- Cruelty-free? Yes.
Nursem Caring Hand Cream Unfragranced
Why we love it: GLAMOUR Beauty Contributor Rebecca Fearn remembers when she discovered this gem: “I first saw it on Dragon's Den, when a nurse and her partner explained how the cream was born from a need to soothe sore nurses' hands during the Covid pandemic. I gave it a try for myself and discovered that not only did I love the story behind the brand, but the product itself, too." This formula is free from essential oils and fragrances, is non-greasy and dermatologically-tested, and vegan and cruelty-free too. This means it is suitable for sensitive skin or those with conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.
- Key ingredients: Medical-grade Manuka honey, white willow bark extract, pro-vitamin B5.
- Fragrance: Fragrance-free.
- Size: 75ml.
- Cruelty-free? Yes.
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Soothing Hand Cream
Why we love it: If anyone knows skincare, it's La Roche-Posay. Enriched with thermal spring water as well as niacinamide and glycerin, this soothing hand cream was designed to work on sensitive skin, banishing both dryness and dryness caused by environmental aggressors. GLAMOUR Beauty Contributor Rebecca Fearn says it's the option she reaches for when she experiences sensitivity: “From time to time in the winter, I can get really sore, sensitive hands thanks to the cold weather, but this not only hydrates them, but also doesn't antagonise them further.” If you've ever forgotten your sun protection in a warm climate and experienced sore, burnt hands, this is also lovely and soothing for aftercare.
- Key ingredients: Glycerin, niacinamide, shea butter.
- Fragrance: Fragrance-free.
- Size: 50ml.
- Cruelty-free? No.
Why we love it: Thanks to a soothing blend of coconut oil, shea butter, murumuru seed butter and avocado oil, OUAI’s vegan hand cream hydrates hands and helps strengthen the skin barrier, all without feeling unpleasantly greasy. Lightweight yet indulgent, it glides on effortlessly, leaving skin soft, nourished and touchably smooth. Not to mention, it feels rich and luxurious, practically delivering a manicure in a bottle, making it the kind of hand cream you’ll actually want to keep on your desk, bedside table or in your handbag for an anytime indulgence.
- Key ingredients: Coconut oil, shea butter, murumuru seed butter.
- Fragrance: Violet gardenia musk.
- Size: 88.7ml.
- Cruelty-free? Yes.
Ameliorate Intense Hand Therapy
Why we love it: Fans argue that Ameliorate's hand therapy isn't just a hand cream but an intense treatment for even the sorest of skin, and we have to agree. Dubbed a five-in-one formula, it calls on oat oil, sweet almond oil, shea butter and the brand’s signature LAH6 hydration complex to moisturise, protect, soften and nourish in one sweep. On top of that, two AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) gently exfoliate to whisk away dead skin cells, leaving hands noticeably smoother. If you’re after a hand cream that truly goes the extra mile, consider this your go-to.
- Key ingredients: Oat oil, sweet almond oil and shea butter.
- Fragrance: Soft rose.
- Size: 75ml.
- Cruelty-free? Yes.
Why we love it: Georgia Rae uses Clé de Peau Beauté’s Hand Cream every single day and it's easy to see why. Packed with the brand’s signature illuminating complex, it combines rare platinum golden silk and Japanese pearls to hydrate and leave skin looking subtly radiant. Add 4MSK into the mix – a brightening powerhouse that helps fade dark spots and even out tone – and you’ve got a hand cream that works as hard as your skincare routine. Plus, SPF 18 protects against daily UV exposure, a must in Rae's books.
- Key ingredients: SPF18, illuminating complex, 4MSK.
- Fragrance: Peony and orchid.
- Size: 75ml.
- Cruelty-free? No.
Why we love it: Glossier truly is the ‘Apple’ of the beauty industry. This stylish, palm-sized pod has an innovative design that's an absolute pleasure to pop into your purse and use on-the-go. It has a fast-absorbing, nutrient-rich formula that's suitable for all skin types and is free from GMOs as well as allergens such as gluten, dairy and soy. It's a favourite of GLAMOUR Beauty Contributor Rebecca Fearn, who says: “I am typically terrible at remembering to apply hand cream, but Glossier's cute pink bottle is always in my handbag and on my desk. It's not only cute, but also a great product that delivers lasting hydration.”
- Key ingredients: Glycofilm pollustop and meadowfoam seed oil.
- Fragrance: You-like.
- Size: 60ml.
- Cruelty-free? Yes.
Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Concentrated Hand Cream
Why we love it: Sometimes, you simply can’t beat a classic. Neutrogena’s Norwegian Formula is a tried-and-tested favourite for dry, cracked and sensitive hands, thanks in part to its fragrance-free formula that’s gentle on even the most delicate skin. Ultra-budget-friendly, it’s easy to pick up at your local supermarket or Boots, making it as convenient as it is effective. We particularly love the inclusion of glycerin, which draws in moisture and keeps hands feeling soft and hydrated long after application. Whether you’re battling winter dryness or just need a reliable everyday hand cream, this one proves that sometimes, simple really is best.
- Key ingredients: Glycerin.
- Fragrance: Fragrance-free.
- Size: 15ml or 50ml.
- Cruelty-free? No.
Chanel La Crème Main Body Care
Why we love it: Sometimes, you just deserve a spot of luxury – and Chanel’s chic-yet-cute hand cream is the perfect treat. Housed in a stylish white, egg-shaped bottle, it looks effortlessly elegant perched on a desk or slipped out of a leather handbag, instantly elevating your beauty routine. But it’s not just the packaging that impresses: the formula is deeply moisturising, nourishing both skin and nails, and leaves hands feeling soft, smooth and pampered. High-quality ingredients meet timeless style here, making it a little indulgence you’ll genuinely look forward to using.
- Key ingredients: Camellia seed oil, iris pallida root extract, ceramide NP.
- Fragrance: Floral camellia.
- Size: 50ml.
- Cruelty-free? No.
Super Retinol Anti-Aging Hand Treatment
Why we love it: Tired of wrinkles and fine lines? Beauty Pie’s overnight hand cream is packed with a powerhouse blend of skincare ingredients, including retinol, pseudo-collagen and shea butter, all working while you sleep to smooth, nourish and rejuvenate hands. It’s perfect for anyone looking to give their hands a serious anti-ageing boost, but take note: it’s not recommended for sensitive skin, so patch testing is a must. For the right skin type, however, it’s a little overnight indulgence that can make a noticeable difference.
- Key ingredients: Encapsulated retinol, pseudo-collagen, shea butter.
- Fragrance: Fragrance-free.
- Size: 75ml.
- Cruelty-free? Yes.
Looking to stock up on more skincare and bodycare products? Check out our guides for the best shower gels and body washes, best face exfoliators, best body scrubs, best bath oils, best moisturisers and the best sunscreens.
