Much like your decadent moisturizers with SPF and ultra-soothing body lotions and body butter, using a smooth hand cream to help soothe the skin is always a good idea.
However, it’s not something we typically resort to unless we have severely dry and chapped hands — as is the case with lip balm — but, in reality, we should be using these travel-friendly skincare essentials more frequently.
RELATED: The best skincare for dry skin
“The most important feature of hand creams is the ability to adequately moisturize the skin,” Kristen Miller, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Spectrum Skin and Laser, told the New York Post. “Thick creams or ointments work best.”
Some of us at Post Wanted have fully carved-out skincare routines (read: best eye creams review), so critiquing top-rated hand creams on the market was right up our alley.
To help you streamline your shopping experience, we outlined the best hand creams worth your time and money. While some picks lean toward luxury, keep in mind that the best hand cream for you comes down to preference. The best hand cream for you is dependent on your skincare concern(s) and your preferred formulation of choice.
You’ll want to check out our FAQ section for Dr. Miller’s tried-and-true shopping tips — including what to look for — when purchasing your next favorite hand cream.
Pros:
Cons:
This overnight sensation has taken the handcare world by storm, and for good reason. Theraplush is more than just a hand cream; it’s a nightly ritual that transforms your hands while you catch some Z’s. The luxurious formula, packed with 0.05% retinol, 1% colloidal oatmeal, and 0.5% panthenol, works its magic to resurface, condition, and plump your skin. In just three days, 97% of users reported softer and smoother hands, proving that good things come to those who sleep (with Theraplush on their hands).
What sets Theraplush apart is its ability to tackle multiple concerns simultaneously. It evens out dark spots, maintains tidy cuticles, and plumps thinning, delicate skin with moisture. The chic, refillable packaging with a magnetic lid that doubles as a jewelry tray is the cherry on top of this hand-care sundae. While it may be a bit pricey, the results speak for themselves — it’s like a time machine for my hands, minus the flux capacitor.
Key ingredients: Retinol, Castor seed oil | Size: 1.7 ounces
Pros:
Cons:
This iconic egg-shaped hand cream combines style and substance with its chic packaging and nourishing formula. Enriched with iris pallida and may rose wax, it promises to protect the skin barrier, diminish dark spots, and provide lasting hydration without stickiness.
I was intrigued by this luxurious little egg. The moment I applied the product inside, my hands felt like they’d been whisked away to a Parisian spa. The velvety texture absorbs faster than you can say “Coco Chanel,” leaving behind a soft, smooth finish that’s perfect for impromptu hand selfies. The subtle floral scent is divine, making me feel fancy even when I’m just scrolling through TikTok. However, be warned: once you start using this cream, you might find yourself dramatically applying it in public just to show off the packaging. It’s the hand cream equivalent of a designer handbag — utterly unnecessary but oh-so-satisfying.
Key ingredients: Ceramides | Size: 1.7 ounces
Pros:
Cons:
This powerhouse cream is like a construction crew for your hands, rebuilding your skin’s barrier with glycerin, allantoin, and paraffin. It’s designed to create a protective layer on your skin, sealing in moisture and promoting the healing of even the most stubborn cracks and calluses.
As someone who frequently deals with dry, cracked hands (an occupational hazard of being a keyboard trooper), this cream was a game-changer. It created a protective barrier on my skin that could probably withstand a sandstorm, and visibly improved the appearance of cracks and calluses within days. I half expected my hands to start glowing with newfound smoothness. The unscented formula is perfect for those who prefer their hands to smell like, well, hands.
Key ingredients: n/a | Size: 1 ounces
Pros:
Cons:
Inspired by the hardy hands of Norwegian fishermen, this glycerin-packed formula (we’re talking 40%!) is like a tall glass of water for your parched paws. With cetearyl alcohol and stearic acid thrown into the mix, it creates a moisture-locking barrier that would make even the driest skin say “Uff da!”
I’ll admit, I was skeptical about a hand cream inspired by fish-handlers, but color me impressed. This little tube packs more hydration than a fjord in springtime. A pea-sized amount was enough to transform my hands from “lizard-chic” to “did I just get a hand facial?” The best part? It absorbs faster than I can butcher a Norwegian accent.
Key ingredients: n/a | Size: 6 ounces
Pros:
Cons:
This luxurious hand cream combines the brand’s signature TFC8 technology with powerhouse ingredients like white peony extract, vitamin E, honey, and shea butter. Designed to deeply hydrate, soothe, and protect, it addresses dryness, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation while boosting elasticity and smoothness. Despite its rich formula, it absorbs quickly and leaves no greasy residue, making it perfect for on-the-go hydration or post-handwashing care.
I was blown away by how lightweight yet effective this cream felt. It absorbed faster than I could say “Agust-what?” leaving my hands soft and smooth without that dreaded sticky feeling. While the fragrance-free formula is great for sensitive skin, I did miss a little indulgent scent given the price tag. That said, my hands looked noticeably more even-toned and hydrated after just a week of use — so yes, it’s worth the splurge if you want your hands to feel as pampered as your face.
Key ingredients: Amino Acids, vitamin E, Shea butter | Size: 1.7 ounces
Pros:
Cons:
This dermatologist-developed cream is like a peace treaty for your warring skin cells, bringing together ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide to restore order to your epidermis. It’s designed to rebuild your skin’s protective barrier while providing a hefty dose of hydration, making it a godsend for eczema-prone hands.
As someone whose hands occasionally decide to cosplay as a red, itchy disaster zone come winter, this cream was like finding an oasis in a desert of ineffective lotions. It calmed my angry skin faster than a meditation app calms my mind (which is to say, pretty darn fast). The non-greasy formula meant I could get back to my doomscrolling — I mean, work — without leaving fingerprints all over my phone screen. Plus, the lack of fragrance means you won’t smell like you’ve been rolling around in a field of artificial lavender.
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Niacinamide | Size: 3 ounces
Pros:
Cons:
This multitasking marvel combines the moisturizing power of argan oil and sea buckthorn extract with broad-spectrum SPF 40 protection. It’s like your hands are wearing tiny, invisible sunglasses, shielding them from harmful UV rays while keeping them hydrated and happy.
I never thought I’d be excited about putting sunscreen on my hands, but here we are. This cream absorbed quicker than I could say “photoaging,” without leaving that dreaded white cast that makes you look like you’ve been arm-wrestling ghosts. The added antioxidants made me feel like I was giving my hands a daily dose of skin-loving vitamins. Plus, I can now smugly inform people that hands need sun protection, too — I’m fun at parties, I swear. Just remember: reapplication is key.
Key ingredients: Sea Buckthorn, Argan, Meadowfoam extracts, Fatty Acids | Size: 1 ounce
Pros:
Cons:
This fast-absorbing cream is packed with seven moisturizers and three vitamins (A, C, and E), making it a veritable nutrient shake for your hands. With the soothing power of aloe and the moisturizing magic of hydroxyethyl urea, it’s especially beneficial for those dealing with arthritis, providing quick relief and long-lasting hydration.
My joints frequently sound like a bowl of Rice Krispies, so I was thrilled to find a hand cream that didn’t require the grip strength of a bodybuilder to apply. This cream absorbed faster than I could say “osteoarthritis,” providing almost instant relief to my achy hands. The non-greasy formula meant I could get back to opening pickle jars (or, more realistically, asking someone else to open them for me) in no time. Fair warning: you might find yourself applying this cream more often than necessary, just for the sweet, sweet relief it provides.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, A, and E | Size: 3 ounces
Pros:
Cons:
This luxurious hand balm combines potassium lactate for long-lasting hydration with a blend of botanical extracts (bergamot rind, vetiver root, and petitgrain) for a woody, earthy fragrance. Throw in some sweet almond and coconut oils, and you’ve got a formula that’s like a spa day for your hands, but without the awkward small talk with your masseuse.
I’ll admit, I was initially drawn in by the sleek packaging, but this hand balm quickly became my go-to for post-handwashing hydration. The scent is subtle enough that I don’t feel like I’m wearing cologne on my hands, but distinctive enough to make me feel fancy. It’s the kind of product that makes you want to dramatically apply hand cream in public, just so people will ask what you’re using. Just be prepared for the inevitable “Is that Aesop?” questions from skincare enthusiasts who can spot that aluminum tube from a mile away.
Key ingredients: Potassium lactate | Size: 2.6 ounces
Pros:
Cons:
This innovative hand cream harnesses the power of 0.25% pure retinol and 5% AHA to improve skin texture and tone while providing deep hydration. Throw in some peptides for good measure, and you’ve got a formula that’s like sending your hands to boot camp, but instead of push-ups, they’re doing anti-aging exercises.
I’ve used retinol on my face for years, so when I heard about a hand cream with retinol, I was intrigued. After a few weeks of use, I noticed my hands looked smoother and more even-toned like they’d been airbrushed in real life. The peptide blend gave my skin a plumpness I hadn’t seen since… well, ever. Fair warning: you might find yourself staring at your hands more often, marveling at their newfound youthfulness.
Key ingredients: Potassium lactate | Size: 2.6 ounces
Pros:
Cons:
This powerhouse cream combines ceramide NP, urea, and Natural Moisturizing Factors to improve skin texture and combat signs of aging. It’s like a time machine for your hands, minus the risk of accidentally becoming your own grandparent or creating a paradox in the space-time continuum.
I’ve always been told I have the hands of a writer, which I’m pretty sure is just a nice way of saying they look older than they should. Enter this Eucerin cream. After a few weeks of use, I noticed a visible reduction in fine lines and increased elasticity. My hands went from “seasoned storyteller” to “fresh-faced novelist” in record time. The fragrance-free formula was a nice touch as well. Just be prepared for the existential crisis that comes with having hands that look younger than your face.
Key ingredients: Alpha Hydroxy, Ceramide-3 | Size: 2.7 ounces
more hand creams
This luxurious hand cream combines 20% shea butter with olive oil and essential oils for deep nourishment and a delightful fragrance. Its ultra-rich texture helps repair and protect hands from daily aggressors, leaving them soft, supple, and delicately scented.
This bestselling hand cream features a non-greasy formula packed with shea butter, macadamia oil, and grape seed oil to hydrate and soften dry hands. It absorbs quickly, leaving hands velvety-smooth with a subtle, pleasant scent of Original Pink.
L’OCCITANE Shea Butter Hand Cream: This cult-favorite hand cream boasts a luxurious formula with 20% shea butter, honey, almond extracts, and coconut oil to nourish and protect even the driest hands.
Ahead, take a look at the criteria we kept in mind when assessing the best hand creams on the market. Pro tip: trying new formulations is a great idea; Commerce Writer Victoria Giardina “love[s] having one in my work tote and a different brand in my crossbody bag to try something new from time to time.”
Below is a list of criteria — characteristics we kept in mind — while assessing each brand of hand cream:
Ahead, Miller gives us the 411 on what to look for in a good hand cream — including ingredients — that’ll help you make your decision among our 10 very best.
Of course, hand creams offer soothing relief when used on a consistent cadence. But, there are more benefits than you may think, especially if you have a skin condition.
“Regularly moisturizing your hands prevents dry skin which can lead to painful cracks and fissures, and in some circumstances trigger eczema,” Miller tells The Post.
The short answer? You’ll want to look for emollients.
“Emollients can help soften and trap moisture in the skin to maintain hydration,” Miller explains. “Some examples include cocoa butter, shea butter, lanolin, petrolatum and mineral oil.”
“Hand creams that contain possible irritants or allergens such as fragrances or essential oil should be avoided as they can worsen dryness and even trigger a rash,” Miller notes.
For a quick test, apply a dime-size amount of hand cream to the palm of your hand to check for possible irritation.
“Hand creams mainly serve to moisturize and repair the skin on your hands and do not typically contain SPF,” Miller notes.
Importantly, you’ll want to apply sunscreen to your hands at the start of the day and reapply every two hours to protect against sun exposure.
The golden question. As mentioned, emollients are the most important ingredient for cracked or chapped hands.
“Examples include cocoa butter, shea butter, lanolin, petrolatum and mineral oil,” Miller lists. “These help trap moisture within the skin maintain hydration and soften dry, cracked skin.”
More, these ingredients also help create a protective barrier on the skin’s surface. “Humectants such as glycerin, urea, and alpha hydroxy acids can draw moisture to the skin to improve hydration,” she adds.
A few key things to look for when it comes to anti-aging hand creams is retinol (a form of vitamin A known to reduce the appearance of fine lines over time), hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or shea butter for hydration, antioxidants such as vitamins C and E and Coenzyme Q10 to protect from free radicals that age skin, AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) to exfoliate the skin and promote cell turnover, and, of course, SPF.
A combination of any two or more of these ingredients makes a great anti-aging hand cream!
Here are some excellent hand creams for aging hands, tailored to address dryness, fine lines, and crepey skin:
- Eucerin Advanced Repair Hand Cream
- Chanel La Crème Main Hand Cream
- Soft Services Theraplush Overnight Repair Treatment
- Augustinus Bader The Hand Treatment
Hunting for a headline-worthy haul? Keep shopping with Post Wanted.
For over 200 years, the New York Post has been America’s go-to source for bold news, engaging stories, in-depth reporting, and now, insightful shopping guidance. We’re not just thorough reporters – we sift through mountains of information, test and compare products, and consult experts on any topics we aren’t already schooled specialists in to deliver useful, realistic product recommendations based on our extensive and hands-on analysis. Here at The Post, we’re known for being brutally honest – we clearly label partnership content, and whether we receive anything from affiliate links, so you always know where we stand. We routinely update content to reflect current research and expert advice, provide context (and wit) and ensure our links work. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.