Best Hand Creams
With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, hand washing has been touted as our absolute best defense in preventing the spread of the virus. We must practice thorough and frequent handwashing as a means to fight illness and keep disease and germs at bay. We do so with the knowledge that it will undoubtedly lead to extremely dry, rough skin. To combat this, a great hand cream is a must.
Handwashing is one of the precautions we must take in response to the public health crisis, but it isn’t the only culprit for dry skin. The cool weather that is still on hand in some parts of the country is also a factor. Until the temps rise again and we get some dew back into the atmosphere, we’re probably going to need more moisture. Even as the weather does begin to warm up though, we could still be battling the pandemic for months on end…further exacerbating our need for a good hand cream.
Some days, my hands are the absolute driest, no matter what I do. As a result, I find myself constantly applying some type of lotion or cream multiple times throughout the day. Personally speaking, I’ll do just about anything to prevent the sandpaper and/or scaly texture. Keeping your hands and cuticles well moisturized is also key to maintaining healthy nails. You can read more about that here.
Season after season though, I have yet to find THE ONE, in terms of the perfect hand moisturizer. Every winter – without fail - I go on the hunt for the latest and greatest. I find most of the hand creams on the market to be either completely ineffective or overly greasy. Fragrance matters a great deal also.
Through countless hours of research, I’ve tried many different brands and formulas over the years. While I have found suitable options here and there, I am still searching for the holy grail. That said, I’m inviting you along as I continue to explore the absolute best options for my dry, crepe paper-y hands, once and for all.
“I find most of the hand creams on the market to be either completely ineffective or overly greasy. ”
EOS Shea Better Hand Cream $2.99
This is the hand cream that I’m currently using. It’s pretty good overall, and since it’s EOS, it’s a cleaner formula. Still, I can’t say that I’m in love and that my search ends here. I wish the level of moisture was just a tad greater, in terms of providing more of a lasting feeling. What it has working in its favor though is the price point…a great pick at a drugstore price.
L’Occitane Hand Cream $24
L’Occitane has always been the OG go-to for me. What keeps it from being the holy grail is that it is a heavier formula. It’s easy to soil your clothes and surfaces you come in contact with while wearing it, as it’s not fast absorbing. Still, it keeps your hands from being dry, is long-lasting, and comes in great scents.
Fresh Seaberry Nourishing Hand Cream $23
The Fresh Nourishing Hand Cream is a top-rated pick at Sephora. Reviewers note that it smells nice and is hydrating. In terms of cons, some customers said it was a bit greasy. Still, more than one person mentioned that it gave their hands a soft, buttery texture. Who doesn’t love that?
Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream $15
Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream is probably the closest I’ve come to finding the GOAT. It has a clean formula and gives your skin a lasting soft texture. It’s also priced fairly. It’s a satisfying option no doubt, but I still find myself wondering if there is something better out there. Based on the ones I’ve tried as of late, the short answer is no. I’ll try 1-2 more, and if those don’t work out, it’s back to Caudalie I go. That said, it’s a great product that I do recommend to others, thereby making it a SNOBtimist pick.
Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream $30
Clarins is known for bringing beloved, premium skincare products to market. By the looks of it, this one fits their usual M.O. It contains shea and myrrh (to boost healthy nails) and is formulated without sulfates and phthalates. Based on the rave reviews, this is next on the list for me to try.
Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve $23
Formulated with avocado oil and sesame oil, the Kiehl’s hand cream is another tried and true favorite, and a SNOBtimist pick. It has a great texture, which leaves your skin feeling moisturized. The Kiehl’s cream offers good value (for the quantity), and a little goes a long way. It’s also relatively easy to find, as it’s available in most department stores. Still, I’m unable to fully commit to this one, for reasons unknown. I’ll try a few more, then land on either this one or the Caudalie hand cream for the foreseeable future.
Love Beauty and Planet Murumuru Butter and Rose Delicious Rose Hand Cream $4.99
This hand cream is made with plant based moisturizers, such as ethically sourced rose oil. What it doesn’t have is parabens, silicones and dyes. Not to mention, the tube is made from 65% recycled plastic. It gets rave reviews and is an Allure magazine Beauty pick. At this price, it’s easy to see why.
Skinfix Eczema Hand Repair Cream $18
According to shoppers, this one provides the ultimate relief for people with eczema, or extremely dry hands and cuticles. The formula is described as thick, yet super absorbent. It's unscented, labeled clean, and with almond oil. I’ll have to add this one to my shortlist of ones to try.
