Skip to Content

We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

16 Of The Best Hand Creams To Soothe, Soften And Heal Dry Hands

Super soft hands in no time.

By and
best hand cream
.

Hand cream - normally a key part of our self-care routines to give our hands a much-needed dose of nourishment, now, it's a daily essential thanks to constant use of alcohol-laden hand sanitisers and frequent hand washing (both a necessity, by the way).

'Repetitive hand washing can damage the integrity of the skin, causing hands to become dry, sore and irritated,' says Dr Susan Mayou, Consultant Dermatologist at the Cadogan Clinic. 'If you have damaged the skin it becomes less effective as a barrier against infection so moisturising is essential (definitely don’t stop the handwashing!). Choose a good quality, nourishing hand cream to apply after washing and drying the hands - creams are much more effective than lotions. Aveeno, Neutrogena and Cetraben are all purse-friendly, effective products.'

Luxury manicurist Julia Diogo is also a fan of purse-friendly hand creams. Her top pick? Weleda Skin Food. 'It has always been a holy grail product for me and my clients,' says Diogo. 'I love using it during the winter months around the cuticles and backs of hands to help treat the skin if it’s really dry. It’s great to use at night with gloves to keep the moisture locked in.'

A session with Diogo will not only leave your nails in top notch condition, your hands will also feel noticeably softer. In her treatments, Diogo often reaches for Dior Gris Dior Body Creme. 'It’s a super hydrating creme with a beautiful luxury fragrance and feel to end a manicure service. Definitely a great product for anyone who fancy’s a splurge!' she explains.

Read on for the best hand creams worth adding to your online shop ASAP...

This heavy duty aromatic cream is a classic. It will leave your hands a little slippery, so apply in the evening and throw on a pair of gloves for baby soft hands in the morning.

2

Hello Sunday The One For Your Hands Hand Cream SPF 30

The One For Your Hands Hand Cream SPF 30

Hand creams with in-built sun protection are especially handy considering body sunscreens are often greasier and too bulky to toss in our handbags. This one by suncare brand Hello Sunday is a pleasure to use, and fits nicely in the smallest clutch.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3

Nursem Caring Hand Cream Unfragranced

Caring Hand Cream Unfragranced

With every purchase of Nursem's product, British brand Nursem donates a month's worth of hand products to a nurse. It provides lasting hydration, without feeling oily on the skin. We love that there's an unscented version too.

4

Frederic Malle Portrait Of A Lady Hand Cream

Portrait Of A Lady Hand Cream

Yes, this smells identical to the perfume (we've had curious colleagues asking 'who's wearing Portrait?') but the formula itself is just as beautiful. Luxurious creams are often on the heavier end of the spectrum but this sinks in quickly and leaves hands comfortably soft.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5

79 Lux Intensely Restorative Protective Hand Cream

Intensely Restorative Protective Hand Cream

This hard-working hand cream not only takes care of dry patches, it's also been formulated with sensitive, inflamed skin in mind. Expect to find cocooning ingredients such as shea butter and squalane alongside vitamin C and hyaluronic acid.

6

Jo Malone London Vitamin E Nourishing Hand Treatment

Vitamin E Nourishing Hand Treatment

Jo Malone's scented hand lotions are gorgeous, but it's the Vitamin E hand treatment that's the unsung hero. Manicurists love this velvety cream as it treats dry cuticles and parched hands, leaving it feeling extra soft.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7

Aveda Hand Relief

Hand Relief

Aveda's super nourishing hand cream is packed with Vitamins E and A as well as exfoliating fruit acids and hydrating plant emollients for an ultra moisturising lotion that waves goodbye to dry, cracked hands.

8

REN Clean Skincare Atlantic Kelp And Magnesium Energising Hand Lotion

Atlantic Kelp And Magnesium Energising Hand Lotion

If a thick, buttery hand cream is too much for you, then REN's lightweight lotion is the one. Enriched with Atlantic Kelp Extract and Magnesium PCS, this hand cream gives fingertips a good dose of hydration whilst the essential oil blend treats your other senses to a spa-worthy scent.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
9

Margaret Dabbs London Intensive Hydrating Hand Lotion

Intensive Hydrating Hand Lotion

If anyone knows how to treat hands with some tender loving care it's Margaret Dabbs. This pro-loved hand cream is formulated with hempseed oil, seaweed extract, rock rose, white water lily and comfrey for a truly luxe hand lotion that soothes dry and irritated skin.

10

Glossier Hand Cream

Hand Cream

We can't decide if the pastel pink lighter style packaging is cute or totally random, but what we do know is that Glossier's squeezy hand cream is packed full of fast-absorbing moisturisers like coconut fruit extract to help hydrate dry hands without the greasiness.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
11

Eucerin Urea Repair Plus 5% Hand Cream

Urea Repair Plus 5% Hand Cream

Arguably not the most glamorous of hand creams out there, but Eucerin's urea-infused formula really works.

12

Aveeno Daily Moisturising Hand Cream

Daily Moisturising Hand Cream

There's nothing more annoying than applying hand cream only to have to spend half an hour rubbing it in. Aveeno's clinically tested formula absorbs in super quick time so you can get on with working from home.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Soothing Hand Cream

Cicaplast Soothing Hand Cream

La Roche-Posay's genius barrier hand cream leaves an invisible glove-like film to protect from dryness and irritation. What's more, the hypoallergenic and paraben-free formula means it's ideal for even the most sensitive of skin.

Let super cool perfume brand Le Labo soften and soothe anti-bac ridden hands with its sweet almond oil and safflower infused formula. It smells so good, we dare you not to sniff your hands.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
15

Aesop Ressurection Aromatique Hand Balm

Ressurection Aromatique Hand Balm

Thanks to the ultra-moisturising duo of shea butter and coconut oils, ragged cuticles and rough knuckles don't stand a chance against Aesop's sell-out hand balm - and we can vouch for that. With added mandarin orange, lavender and rosemary leaf, it lifts the senses as it nurtures.

16

L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream

Shea Butter Hand Cream

L'Occitane's thick whip takes hands toughened by water, weather and hard work and makes them supple and soft. With almond, honey and coconut it's as indulgent as it is nourishing.

Headshot of George Driver
George Driver
Former Senior Digital Beauty Editor

George Driver was the former Senior Beauty Editor - Digital at ELLE UK.

Headshot of Medina Azaldin
Medina Azaldin
Beauty Editor, ELLE and Harper's Bazaar UK

Medina Azaldin is the beauty editor of ELLE and Harper's Bazaar UK, working across print and digital features. She has more than seven years journalism experience and has previously written for Red and Good Hoousekeeping. When she's not demystifying the latest skincare ingredient, sniffing out the next big perfume trend or uncovering the science behind wellness practices, you'll most likely find her in Hatchards Piccadilly or watching a crime series with her cats. Oh, and she's a competitive cheerleader, too. 

Watch Next 
best hand cream
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Page was generated in 4.8956089019775