Travel takes its toll on your skin. As a full-time traveller, I have spent years tracking down the best cream for hands, as well as trying to avoid anything that speeds up the ageing process of the delicate skin on my mitts.
Here are a bunch of my favourites that nothing else comes close to.
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What Causes Hands to Age? (And How to Fix it)
Of course, our hands will age with time. We must celebrate that. But when you are in your forties and have the hands of an old lady (like Moi) …that’s when you start to feel… meh.
Fear not.
I have discovered there are some things that accelerate the ageing process of hands, and I am here to share them with you so we can both try hard to avoid them.
1: Dehydration.
2: Excessive washing (and drying)
3: Sun exposure.
3 Easy Ways To Care For Your Hands.
Moisturize with hand cream (see below). Rather than drying your hands until they are bone dry, try to leave your hands slightly damp after washing and then apply a good hand cream; it works wonders!
Drink! Drinking water is a huge one for me. Having a large glass of water before you get out of bed in the morning is a game changer.
Protect your hands. If you can’t wear gloves (think Downtown Abby) and how their hands were always so lovely. Why? Gloves!
Of course, not everyone wants to walk around in a pair of white lace mittens, so instead, invest in a good hand cream with added sunblock. I love this one by Retinol. It is Anti-Aging and has a SPF 15 +.
In Search of The Perfect Cream For Hands
I have always suffered from hands that become dry and crepy (and dare I say prune-like) whenever I neglect them for a while (or drink too much wine, but hey, that’s another post…).
Life is busy, and hands are often the first to be neglected.
Fear not. A quick swipe of some effective cream (and a few other self love exercises) will have you and your hands feeling soft, supple and beautiful.
5 Amazing Hand Creams (That Do Everything)
The skin on our hands is constantly exposed to harsh elements and daily activities, leaving them dry, rough, and needing some TLC. But fear not. I’ve curated a list of hand creams that will leave your skin feeling soft and smooth.
From luxurious to affordable options, I’ve handpicked the best creams to provide deep hydration and nourishment to your hands.
In this post, I include creams enriched with natural ingredients like shea butter, almond oil, and vitamin E (known for their moisturizing and rejuvenating properties). These creams will not only hydrate your hands but also help repair and protect your skin barrier.
Say goodbye to dry, cracked hands and hello to silky smoothness with these lovely hand creams.
Importance of Hand Care
Our hands are often the most neglected part of our body when it comes to skincare.
They are constantly exposed to harsh environmental factors, frequent handwashing, and daily wear and tear, making them prone to dryness, roughness, and premature aging.
Proper hand care is essential to maintain the health and appearance of our hands.
Healthy, well-cared-for hands not only look more youthful and attractive but also play a crucial role in our daily lives.
Our hands are the primary tools we use to interact with the world around us, from performing daily tasks to expressing ourselves through gestures.
Neglecting hand care can lead to discomfort, pain, and even a decrease in our overall quality of life.
Investing in the right hand creams and treatments can make a significant difference in the appearance and feel of our hands, leaving them soft, smooth, and healthy-looking. Taking the time to care for our hands is a simple yet impactful way to enhance our overall self-care and confidence.
What to Look for in a Hand Cream
When it comes to selecting the perfect hand cream, there are several key factors to consider to ensure you find a product that meets your specific needs.
Firstly, it’s important to look for a formula that provides deep, long-lasting hydration. Ingredients like glycerin, shea butter, and aloe vera are known for their exceptional moisturizing properties and can help replenish the skin’s natural moisture levels.
Additionally, hand creams with nourishing oils, such as almond, coconut, or argan oil, can help to soften and smooth the skin, while also providing a protective barrier against environmental aggressors. Vitamins and antioxidants, like vitamin E and vitamin C, are also beneficial as they can help to nourish and revitalize the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
For those with sensitive skin, it’s crucial to look for hand creams that are free from harsh chemicals, fragrances, and other potential irritants. Gentle, hypoallergenic formulas containing soothing ingredients like chamomile or oatmeal can help to calm and protect the delicate skin on your hands.
Lastly, consider the texture and absorption rate of the hand cream, as a lightweight, fast-absorbing formula can be more convenient for daily use, while a richer, more emollient cream may be better suited for deep overnight hydration.
Benefits of Using Hand Creams
Incorporating a hand cream into your daily routine can provide a multitude of benefits for the health and appearance of your hands.
One of the primary advantages is the deep hydration and nourishment it can offer. Hand creams formulated with moisturizing ingredients like shea butter, glycerin, and oils can help to replenish the skin’s natural moisture levels, preventing dryness, flakiness, and cracking.
Regular use of a hand cream can also help to improve the overall texture and smoothness of the skin on your hands.
By softening and conditioning the skin, hand creams can minimize the appearance of rough, calloused areas and leave your hands feeling silky and supple.
This can be particularly beneficial for those who engage in frequent handwashing, use harsh household cleaners, or work with their hands on a regular basis.
In addition to hydration and smoothness, hand creams can also help to protect the delicate skin on your hands from environmental stressors, such as UV rays, cold weather, and harsh winds.
Many hand creams contain nourishing ingredients and antioxidants that can help to strengthen the skin’s natural barrier, shielding it from damage and premature ageing.
This can be especially important for those who spend a lot of time outdoors or in challenging climates.
Factors When Choosing a Hand Cream
When it comes to selecting the perfect hand cream, there are several factors to consider to ensure you find a product that meets your specific needs and preferences.
One of the primary considerations is the skin type and condition of your hands. If you have particularly dry, cracked, or calloused hands, you’ll want to look for a hand cream with a richer, more emollient formula that can provide deep, long-lasting hydration.
For those with sensitive skin, it’s crucial to choose a hand cream that is free from harsh chemicals, fragrances, and other potential irritants. Gentle, hypoallergenic formulas containing soothing ingredients like chamomile or oatmeal can help to calm and protect the delicate skin on your hands.
Top 3 Hand Creams for Soft and Smooth Skin
Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream: This fragrance-free hand cream is formulated with glycerin and dimethicone to provide deep, long-lasting hydration. It’s quickly absorbed into the skin, leaving hands feeling soft and smooth without any greasy residue.
1: L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream:
This luxurious hand cream from L’Occitane is formulated with 20% shea butter, and it is known for its exceptional moisturizing properties.
I remember reading somewhere that THIS is the best hand cream in the world, and after using it for almost twenty years, I can testify to that. It. is. Gorgeous.
It helps to deeply hydrate and nourish the hands, leaving them feeling silky smooth. Check out the L’Occitane Hand Cream Here
2: Salt and Stone Hand Cream
The Salt and Stone hand cream is to the hands what Jo Malone’s scent is to the body. It is DIVINE.
It absorbs quickly, leaving your hands feeling soft and deeply hydrated without any greasy residue. Best of all, it smells as if you have popped into a salon.
Check out Salt and Stone Hand Cream Here
3: NATURE WELL Vitamin C Brightening Hand Cream
A great, affordable and very effective hand cream that promises (and delivers) advanced moisture cream for the face, body, & hands.
This all-in-one makes it a fabulous travel essential, meaning you save space when packing, and it is packed with Vitamin C, which helps promote an even skin tone while also helping stimulate collagen production to improve skin elasticity and firmness. Yes, please!!
This hand cream also claims to help minimize redness or irritation in the skin, helps protect from environmental stressors like UV rays, and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, sun damage, & wrinkles.
Check out Nature Well Hand Cream HERE
4: Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Hand Cream:
Another great product for those on a budget. This effective hand cream is enriched with natural colloidal oatmeal and shea butter, which helps soothe and nourish dry, sensitive skin.
It’s gentle, non-greasy, and absorbs quickly, leaving hands feeling soft and healthy-looking.
Check Out Aveeno Hand Cream HERE
Hand Cream for Dry and Cracked Skin
For those dealing with severely dry, cracked, and calloused hands, finding the right-hand cream can be a game-changer.
The key is to look for formulas that are rich, emollient, and packed with deeply hydrating ingredients.
One standout option is the Eucerin Advanced Repair Hand Cream. Formulated with a blend of natural oils, urea, and other nourishing ingredients, this hand cream helps to deeply hydrate and repair even the most severely damaged skin on the hands. It’s fragrance-free and non-greasy, making it a practical choice for daily use.
Another excellent choice is the O’Keeffe’s for Healthy Hands hand cream. Featuring a formula that’s enriched with glycerin and allantoin, this hand cream helps to soften and smooth even the most calloused areas, leaving your hands feeling silky and comfortable. It’s a great option for those who need intensive hydration and repair.
Hand Cream for Sensitive Skin
For individuals with sensitive skin, finding a hand cream that is gentle, non-irritating, and free from harsh chemicals can be a challenge.
However, there are several options that cater specifically to the needs of those with delicate skin.
The CeraVe Healing Hand Cream is a fantastic choice for sensitive skin types.
Formulated with three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid, this hand cream helps to restore the skin’s natural barrier and lock in moisture, all while being fragrance-free and non-greasy.
It’s an excellent option for those who need a gentle, yet effective hand cream.
Another great pick for sensitive skin is the Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Hand Cream. Infused with natural colloidal oatmeal and shea butter, this hand cream helps to soothe and nourish dry, sensitive skin without any irritation. It’s a lightweight, non-greasy formula that absorbs quickly, leaving hands feeling soft and healthy-looking.
Hand Cream for Anti-Aging
As we age, the delicate skin on our hands can start to show signs of premature aging, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots. To combat these concerns, it’s important to incorporate a hand cream that is formulated with anti-aging ingredients.
The Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve is an excellent choice for those looking to address the signs of aging on their hands. Infused with a blend of avocado oil, sesame oil, and vitamins C and E, this hand cream helps to strengthen and protect the skin while also reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
It’s a rich, nourishing formula that can help to keep your hands looking youthful and rejuvenated.
Another great option is the Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm.
While not specifically marketed as an anti-aging hand cream, this luxurious formula is infused with a blend of essential oils, including rosemary, cedarwood, and citrus, that can help to nourish and revitalize the skin. The antioxidant-rich ingredients in this hand cream can also help to combat the visible signs of aging.
Hand Cream for Intensive Hydration
For those with chronically dry, dehydrated hands, finding a hand cream that can provide deep, long-lasting hydration is essential.
Look for formulas that are rich, creamy, and packed with moisturizing ingredients like shea butter, glycerin, and nourishing oils.
The L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream is an excellent choice for intensive hydration. Formulated with 20% shea butter, this luxurious hand cream helps to deeply nourish and condition the skin, leaving your hands feeling silky smooth and supple.
It’s a great option for those who need a richer, more emollient formula to combat severe dryness.
Another fantastic pick for intensive hydration is the Kiehl’s Butterstick Lip Treatment. While not technically a hand cream, this nourishing lip balm can also be used as a multi-purpose treatment for dry, cracked hands. Formulated with shea butter, coconut oil, and vitamin E, it provides deep, long-lasting hydration to help restore the skin’s natural moisture barrier.
Conclusion: Take Care of Your Hands
In conclusion, incorporating a high-quality hand cream into your daily skincare routine is an essential step in maintaining the health and appearance of your hands.
From deeply hydrating formulas to gentle, soothing creams, the hand creams featured in this article offer a wide range of options to cater to your specific needs and preferences.
Remember, the skin on our hands is delicate and constantly exposed to harsh environmental factors, making it prone to dryness, roughness, and premature aging.
By taking the time to nourish and protect your hands with the right hand cream, you can enjoy soft, smooth, and healthy-looking skin for years to come.
So, whether you’re looking to combat severely dry, cracked hands, soothe sensitive skin, or address the signs of ageing, there’s a hand cream out there that’s perfect for you. Invest in your hand care routine and experience the transformative benefits of these amazing hand creams.