11 best hand creams for silky-smooth skin

Having one of the best hand creams in your skincare stash is a must all year round. Trust us when we tell you that your keeping your hands, nails and cuticles hydrated can make all the difference, especially if you want to keep your mani looking nice and fresh in-between salon visits.

For those with dry skin or sensitive skin, the hands can be particularly prone to sore or chapped areas. Not to mention, we often forget about just how much we tend to put our hands through on a day-to-day basis – from washing and sanitising to cooking and cleaning.

There's also a bunch of external factors such as the environment (pollution, we're looking at you) and weather changes, which inevitably affect our skin's hydration levels. If you often go for manicures, your hands will likely be at the mercy of UV lamps too, which is why you should also remember to wear your sunscreen beforehand.

Long story short, while you might be all sorted with your facial skincare routine (moisturisers to cleansers, face serums and such), you'll do well not to neglect your hands and treat them to that much needed TLC on the regular. To help you find the most nourishing (and non-greasy) hand creams out there, we've put together a guide of the best options that will help keep your skin in tip top condition. Here's everything you need to know.

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How to choose the right hand cream

First of all, consider the ingredients list. We recommend looking out for ceramides, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, aloe vera and emollients such as avocado oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil for lasting hydration, especially if you want your hands to go from desert-dry to silky-smooth almost instantly.

Next up, the brands. While European pharmaceutical brands such as La Roche-Posay and Eucerin certainly serve up some seriously nourishing hand creams to help with eczema outbreaks and other skin conditions, it's also worth taking a look at Glossier and Rare Beauty, particularly if you're after lightweight creams that won't feel greasy.

How to keep hands healthy

First, you want to make sure you're completely drying your hands each time you wash them. Hands that drip-dry are likely to become more parched as the water evaporates off them.

Next, choose a thoroughly nourishing hand cream to help keep the skin plump, smooth and hydrated. Use it every single time you wash your hands to add the moisture back in. If your hands are feeling sensitive, it's best to opt for a fragrance-free option.

And if your hands and nails are in need of a proper pampering session, be sure to pair your hand cream with a quality cuticle oil and finish everything off with a deeply nourishing hand mask.

How we tested best hand creams

Throughout the years, the GLAMOUR team has collectively tried hundreds of hand creams, having tested said formulas on a variety of skin types and age groups. When reviewing each formula, we've assessed the ingredients lists, as well as value for money and how innovative it is compared to other options on the market. The following are our top picks. Find out more about how we test.

Looking to stock up on more skincare and bodycare products? Check out our guides for the best shower gels and body washes, best face exfoliators, best body scrubs, best bath oils, best moisturisers and the best sunscreens.

For more makeup, skincare, haircare, fragrance and wellness content from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, follow her on Instagram @deniseprimbet.

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