20 Best Hand Creams To Moisturize After Washing Your Hands
Keep your skin healthy and hydrated.
getty Our hands endure some of the toughest conditions of the skin on our body. According to Dr. Nava Greenfield of Schweiger Dermatology Group, “[Our hands] are exposed to the elements, which can dry them out. We also use harsh soap when washing our hands and often forget to moisturize.”
With the up-tick in washing hands amid a Coronavirus pandemic and flu season, our hands are bound to become dry and irritated.
But hand-washing isn't something we can just skip — and for many important reasons. “Given the risk of Coronavirus, it is important to mitigate your risk by washing your hands frequently and for a long time (20 seconds) to avoid the virus traveling from your hands to mucus membrane, causing infection,” Dr. Greenfield adds.
This recommendation will, without a doubt, increase dry skin on your hands. And with dry skin a problem for a majority of us washing our hands frequently, keeping your hands hydrated is of utmost importance.
But what is the difference between hand cream and hand lotion?
Lotions have more water content (and lower viscosity) and less oil, where hand creams have less water content (high viscosity) and more oil. This means that hand creams are thicker and create a barrier on the skin.
Not sure where to start? These hand creams are all great options.
1. B Like Bamboo Shea Butter Hand Cream
Infused with Shea Butter and Argan oil, this cruelty-free cream absorbs and deeply hydrates, nourishes, repairs and protects skin. It's a non-greasy formula using bamboo’s excellent moisturizing properties, and antioxidant and healing benefits.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
2. Aveda Hand Relief Moisturizing Cream
This intense moisture hand cream helps soothe dry hands, leaving them noticeably softer and smoother. It contains Andiroba oil and other plants that infuse skin with nourishment. Plus, it features Aveda's own pure-fume aroma with organic orange, lavandin, and eucalyptus.
(Nordstrom, $9-$24)
3. Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve
A heavy-duty moisturizer with a thick, rich texture, it was created for the driest hands. With all-day protection and a blend of moisturizing ingredients, it forms a glove-like protective barrier and protects skin.
(Nordstrom, $23)
4. L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream
With Shea butter, honey, sweet almond extract, Vitamin E, and aromas of jasmine and ylang-ylang essences, this hand cream heals and protects dehydrated skin.
(Nordstrom, $12-$29)
5. Mario Badescu Rose Hand Cream
Rose, Vitamin E and nourishing oils blend together to reduce the look of fine lines, soften and smooth skin. It absorbs quickly and replenishes dry hands.
(Nordstrom, $8)
6. GEHWOL Med Salve for Cracked Skin
A combination of natural essential oils, Jojoba oil, Manuka oil and Chamomile gives your skin the moisture it deserves. This soothing salve also helps skin regain elasticity.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
7. Repêchage Spa Hand Cream
With rich Shea butter and Laminaria Digitata Seaweed extract, this hand cream soothes dry hands. With Green Tea and Vitamins C and E, along with Lavender and Chamomile, your skin will never feel so soft.
(Repechage, $29)
8. Elina Organics CBD Restoring Hand Cream
Organic and handmade, this rich and nourishing deep-delivery formula helps brighten skin and reduce age spots on your hands, with Vitamin C and birch juice. Healing CBD and extracts of arnica also reduce pain and stiffness in your joints.
(Elina Organics, $42)
9. Spongellé Bulgarian Rose Hand Cream
Enjoy fragrances with top notes of orange, clove, strawberry; heart notes of rose, white flowers, jasmine; and base notes of woody, sandalwood, ambery. This vegan cream soothes, hydrates, and nourishes, and is enriched with hyaluronic acid, Shea butter, Argan and macadamia seed oils.
(Spongelle, $18)
10. Dionis Goat Milk Hand Cream
Dionis Goat Milk Hand Cream revitalizes your skin. It's made with natural goat milk that easily absorbs into your skin, and is naturally enriched with high amounts of protein, fat, iron, and Vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, and E.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
11. Eczema Honey Oatmeal Hand Cream
Eczema Honey Oatmeal Hand Cream is therapeutic, soft, and gentle. This dermatologist-tested formula combines high quality oils, like Vitamin E Oil and Avocado Oil, with premium ingredients like Colloidal Oatmeal and Shea Butter.
(Eczema Honey, $24.95)
12. Formulary 55 Shea Butter Hand Creme in Gardenia Blossoms
This lightweight moisturizer is formulated with organic aloe, Shea butter, and vitamin E. All Formulary 55 products are made by hand in Pueblo, Colorado with the finest vegan and cruelty-free ingredients.
(Formulary 55, $18)
13. Free + True Body Prophet Creamy Serum
Formulated with olive leaf extract, sea buckthorn berry, pumpkin seed oil, and aloe vera, this serum heals dry and dehydrated skin. All Free + True products feature esthetician-driven and lab-tested formulas to tighten, brighten, hydrate, and regenerate skin.
(Free & True, $48)
14. JUARA Coconut Illipe Hand & Nail Balm
This rich, fast-absorbing treatment provides long-lasting hydration for dry skin, and strengthen nails and cuticles. A concentrated blend of coconut, candlenut & Buriti oils, combined with illipe, mangosteen butter, and age-delaying oat bran work together to plump skin and fade age spots.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
15. Claudiana Beautanica Handy Barrier Balm Cream
A fast-absorbing texture formulated to nourish and care for hardworking hands, this balm contains Kokum, Cupuacu, Jojoba and Safflower oils to replenish moisture, as well as Broccoli seed oil to smooth the appearance of the skin.
(Claudiana Beautanica, $32)
16. Maple Organics Skin Therapy
Maple Organics Skin Therapy improves dry and cracked skin and relieves mild eczema. Made with organic and toxin-free ingredients, this product is available in two natural scents: Lavender and Grapefruit.
(Maple Organics, $28)
17. Orly Argan Oil Hand Crème
This intensive ultra-luxe cream has a light citrus scent that forms an invisible protective layer. The power-packed formula is enriched with Argan Oil, Jojoba Oil and Shea butter to leave the skin supple and moisturized, and Vitamin E protects against free radicals.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
18. J.R. Watkins Natural Moisturizing Hand Cream
Designed to nourish and hydrate hands and leave them feeling soft, this hand cream is made with Shea butter, cocoa butter, and avocado oil. And with five yummy scents to choose from, your hands will feel hydrated and smell great all day.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
19. LATHER Rose + Shea Hand Therapy
Enriched with rosehip seed oil, Shea butter, olive and oat, this hand cream plumps and soothes dry skin, and protects from moisture loss. Not only does it absorbs quickly, but it's non-greasy and contains no parabens, sulfates, or synthetic fragrance.
(Lather, $16)
20. SpaRitual Citrus Cardamom Hand Salve
This salve is formulated with ancient healing ingredients including Marula oil, Shea Butter, and Honeybush Extract. It moisturizes and softens dry skin, and adds a layer of protection.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
Aly Walansky is a NY-based lifestyles writer who focuses on health, wellness, and relationships. Her work appears in dozens of digital and print publications regularly. Visit her on Twitter or email her.
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