When I was in college, I had a friend who told me I had “baby hands.” It was a total compliment—it meant they were soft and smooth and plump, like a toddler’s. I took pride in my soft hands. Whenever I shook hands with someone, there was a big chance that they’d exclaim about how silky they felt. But of course, time is not kind to our skin, and the skin on my hands was no exception. “Hands are one of the most exposed parts of the body and are frequently subjected to environmental stressors like UV rays, harsh soaps, and frequent washing,” explains Dr. Jenny Liu, a board-certified dermatologist and an assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. Inevitably, my hands are not as firm and unwrinkled as they once were, so I’ve found myself turning to hand creams to slow the effects of time and combat the elements.
Our top picks for the best hand creams of 2025
“Hand creams help replenish lost moisture, strengthen the skin barrier, and prevent dryness, irritation, and premature signs of aging such as fine lines and pigmentation,” says Dr. Liu. “Everyone can benefit from using a hand cream, especially those who wash their hands frequently, work with their hands (like healthcare professionals and chefs), or live in dry, cold climates.” Furthermore, she says that anyone who deals with eczema or contact dermatitis will definitely benefit from the extra moisture, which wards off painful cracking and bleeding.
After testing quite a few formulas on my own hands, asking Dr. Liu for her recommendations, and perusing customer reviews, I feel confident in saying these as the 12 best hand creams money can buy, from formulas that smells as good as they feel to fragrance-free options that wholly focus on healing your fingers and palms. May we all have baby-soft hands forever!
Pros
Absorbs quickly- Light texture
Cons
- Some may find scent too strong
Chanel’s egg-shaped hand cream is so iconic that I don’t think I can really do it justice. Naturally, the plush lotion contains camellia-derived ingredients like ceramides and oil to boost the moisture barrier and soften the skin, and it’s housed in a container that fits right in the palm of your hand and looks incredible in your purse, on your vanity, and on your favorite It girl’s Instagram page.
Key ingredients: Camellia oil, camellia yeast, ceramides, iris extract
Size: 1.7 oz.
Nordstrom rating: 4.6/5 stars
A Nordstrom reviewer says: “This hand cream is so soft and creamy. It blends in so easily and immediately makes my hands feel smooth. I have also used this product on my legs and feet and find the same results! My heels have never been so soft—especially in the winter months. I highly recommend this product.”
Pros
- Gentle on the skin
Cons
- Needs to be reapplied throughout the day
Blanche smells like fresh linens and clean laundry, and it’s one of my go-to fragrances for layering. It’s so popular that Byredo made a hand cream featuring the scent, and the creamy, shea butter-filled hydrator is just as delightful.
Key ingredients: Shea butter, glycerin
Size: 1 oz.
Nordstrom rating: 3.6/5 stars
A Nordstrom reviewer says: “This little gem has truly made a difference in my skin care routine. Not only does it nourish and hydrate my hands, but the fragrance is absolutely divine. The scent of Blanche is delicate yet sophisticated, leaving me feeling refreshed and confident throughout the day. The travel size is perfect for on-the-go use, fitting effortlessly into my purse or pocket. Byredo has truly created a hand cream that stands out from the rest—it’s a game-changer!”
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Best for Aromatherapy
Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm
Pros
- Calming scent
Cons
- Scent may be too strong for some
Walking into an Aesop store brings me such peace; the aroma of all of the essential oils and botanicals in the products is as soothing as a facial at a luxury spa. This particular formula smells herbal, citrusy, and woody all at once, and a dime-sized amount rubbed into the hands is such a treat.
Key ingredients: Mandarin rind, rosemary leaf, cedar atlas
Size: 2.5 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “This was definitely a splurge for me, but I will be repurchasing again and again! The cream feels luxurious and smells like a spa. It’s not greasy and absorbs well.”
Pros
- Helps cuticles heal
- Fades hyperpigmentation
Cons
- Sells out often
I have never seen a more beautiful vessel for hand cream in my life. But beyond the exquisite, sculptural, refillable container, the formula within it is also worthy of some fangirling. Powered by retinol, panthenol, and colloidal oatmeal (one of Dr. Liu’s favorite ingredients for soothing sensitive skin), the hand cream works to not only soften and moisturize but also to repair damaged cuticles and fade sun spots. A perfect addition to any bedtime routine.
Key ingredients: Retinol, colloidal oatmeal, panthenol
Size: 1.7 oz.
Soft Services rating: 4.7/5 stars
A Soft Services reviewer says: “10/10. Do it. I’m thoroughly obsessed with Theraplush. Took me nearly two years to pull the trigger, and I wish I did sooner! I’ve taken pretty good care of my hands all my life, but I’m also hard on them, and between hard water, sun damage, and general aging (I’m 32), they were looking a little scraggly. Four-ish weeks into nightly Theraplush, and they’re buttery soft, smoother than ever, and less sun-spotty. They’re looking pretty.”
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Pros
- Lightly scented
- Absorbs quickly
Cons
- Some may dislike the scent
This hand cream from Tata Harper contains upcycled strawberry seed oil as well as mango butter and hyaluronic acid, which my hands drink up like a glass of water. I’m often loath to apply hand creams while I’m working, because I don’t want to get them all over my laptop. But I know I can use this one mid-story without greasing up my keyboard.
Key ingredients: Strawberry seed oil, wild pansy extract, macro hyaluronic acid, mango butter
Size: 1.7 oz.
Tata Harper rating: 4.4/5 stars
A Tata Harper reviewer says: “The scent at first reminds me of my scented eraser collection when I was a kid, then it dissipates and gives you this lovely, sweet floral scent. The packaging is so luxe and compact that it can fit even in a small purse. As for the product, I am obsessed with the formula! It’s what I wanted on a hand cream. It’s rich, very moisturizing, and glowy. It dries down to this silky [feeling of] goodness, and your hands smell like a floral garden. Oh, and it’s pink! Definitely a must try.”
Pros
- Looks invisible on hands
- Non-greasy finish
Cons
- Small size
Daily sun protection is a must, especially for your hands and your face. “With a blend of SPF and hydrating ingredients like glycerin and shea butter, this hand cream offers broad-spectrum protection and keeps hands soft,” says Dr. Liu. Don’t worry—the formula won’t leave your hands greasy or give them a white cast. Instead, most report that it doesn’t feel like they’re wearing anything at all.
Key ingredients: Sea buckthorn, argan extract, meadowfoam extract, fatty acids, vitamins
Size: 1 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I got this initially because I get regular gel manicures, and I wanted to keep my skin safe under the lamps. It works excellently for manicures. I keep it on pretty regularly outside of the salon as well. I am very pasty and burn easily, but one place I never added sunscreen to was my hands. Now, I feel better about walking my dog in the sun, driving, or just generally being outside, knowing my hands are protected as well! It goes on like normal sunscreen and has that sunscreen smell, but it isn’t super greasy on my hands. My dry skin tends to absorb it without that feeling. Overall a good product!”
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Best Subtle Scent
Phlur Missing Person Hand Cream
Pros
- Pleasant scent
- Softens hands
Cons
- Is not fragrance-free
I’ve spoken about my affinity for Phlur’s Missing Person before, but in case you haven’t heard—I’m deeply, madly in love with the scent. So much so that I finished an entire bottle last year, which is quite difficult to do when you’re a beauty writer with countless fragrances to test (an incredible problem to have, if I’m being honest). It’s warm, it’s musky, and it smells like a warm, tight hug from someone you haven’t been able to see for a long time. Naturally, I gravitate toward everything Phlur makes with the fragrance, including this squalane- and glycerin-packed hand cream.
Key ingredients: Squalane, glycerin, snow mushroom
Size: 2.1 oz.
Nordstrom rating: 4.2/5 stars
A Nordstrom reviewer says: “This hand cream is amazing! It smells so good and makes my hands feel soft and smooth. I love the way it absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave my hands greasy.”
Best for Extremely Dry Hands
Kiehl's Ultimate Strength Hand Salve
Pros
- Very rich texture
Cons
- May be too heavy for some
Many of us (including my friends and family members) turn to Kiehl’s when we need a heavy-duty moisturizer for our faces—why not our hands, too? It turns out that the brand also produces a rich hand cream that works to soften and hydrate even the roughest and driest of skin.
Key ingredients: Botanical oils, olive oil-derived wax
Size: 5 oz.
Nordstrom rating: 4.7/5 stars
A Nordstrom reviewer says: “This is the only lotion I trust and will use throughout the day/night. I’ve tried countless others at multiple different price points—all to no avail. It instantly relieves the tightness from dry skin, it almost has a cool feel to it when applied, and it doesn’t leave behind that greasy residue!”
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Pros
- Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin
Cons
- Aluminum tube can crack over time
Dr. Liu recommends going for something fragrance-free if you have sensitive skin, and this skin care-forward formula fits the bill. I recently gave a tube to a barista who washes their hands frequently for work, and their hands went from rough to smooth in a matter of days.
Key ingredients: Ceramides, peptides, niacinamide, marula butter, marula oil
Size: 2.2 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “My hands are so soft. I love that it’s scent-free as I have very sensitive skin. I did have lots of peeling skin, but this has stopped it, and it doesn’t leave that gross sticky feeling.”
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Non-irritating formula
Cons
- Can be difficult to open
Although this gentle hand cream is fragrance-free, it gets a slight herbal scent from a combination of oils, including bergamot, rosemary, and lavender. It’s also packed with other nourishing ingredients like shea butter and ceramides, but it quickly sinks into the skin without a trace. I can’t lie—one of my favorite characteristics of this product is the adorable, ergonomic container, which is a joy to hold and use.
Key ingredients: Tremella mushrooms, hyaluronic acid, murumuru butter, shea butter, ceramides, niacinamide, CoQ10, palmitoyl hexapeptide-12
Size: 2 oz.
Amazon rating: 3.5/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “This is the best hand lotion I’ve used for daily use when out and about. It has a lovely and light scent and moisturizes well without being overly greasy. The container is pocket-friendly, and I love the shape and size.”
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Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Suitable for sensitive skin
Cons
- May need to be reapplied frequently
Whenever someone asks me for drugstore skin care recommendations, CeraVe is one of the brands I always name. “This cream is packed with ceramides to restore the skin barrier and hyaluronic acid for hydration,” says Dr. Liu. “It’s fragrance-free, making it suitable for sensitive skin or those with eczema.”
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide
Size: 3 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “This is a solid choice for hand cream. It is lightweight and not sticky at all. It is very moisturizing, and it sinks into the skin immediately. No scent whatsoever. So far, very pleased with it—a little goes a long way.”
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Non-greasy finish
Cons
- Some may dislike scent
Here, you can buy a pack of three of this dermatologist-approved hand cream. “With urea and ceramides, this cream deeply hydrates and exfoliates gently, making it ideal for hands with rough or flaky skin,” reports Dr. Liu. My aunt experiences eczema on her hands, and Eucerin is her go-to.
Key ingredients: AHAs, ceramides, urea
Size: 2.7 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.7/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “This is probably one of the best drugstore brand hand lotions ever. I have extremely dry hands as I wash dishes and hand wash baby bottles many times throughout the day. We also live in an area with hard water. In the winter months, my hands are usually cracked and extremely dry, and this is the only lotion that helps keep my hands moisturized. I try my best to apply it immediately after I wash my hands. In the evening, before I sleep, I apply a small amount, and my hands are nice and smooth in the morning.”
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Meet the Expert
Dr. Jenny Liu is a board-certified dermatologist and an assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School.
How often should you apply hand creams?
“Hand creams should be applied after every hand wash to restore hydration, especially in colder or drier months,” says Dr. Liu. “For those with dry or cracked hands, reapplying three to four times a day or whenever hands feel tight or uncomfortable is ideal.” If you need even more hydration, she recommends applying a thicker ointment or cream before bed to let it soak in overnight.
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At what age should you start using hand creams?
According to Dr. Liu, you can pretty much start using hand creams at any age. “Incorporating them into your routine as a kid, teen, or in your 20s can help maintain soft, hydrated skin and prevent early signs of aging,” she says. “For those in their 30s or older, using a hand cream with anti-aging ingredients like niacinamide, retinol, or SPF becomes increasingly important.”
Why Trust Elle Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, beauty writer Carol Lee tried hand creams and spoke to other beauty editors and a dermatologist about their favorites. Lee also searched the internet for top-rated options and evaluated each one based on its features and customer reviews.
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