No Gatekeeping Here: Beauty Editors Spill Their All-Time Favorite Hand Creams

Though a plethora of in-depth studies and articles exist on anything and everything skincare, nailcare, haircare, and even scalpcare, there's one key category that's often overlooked. I'd go so far as to say that this category is an afterthought for most of us. I'm talking, of course, about our hands aka the most overworked, underappreciated part of our bodies. Think about it. Our hands work hard all day and receive little to no respect. It's about time we show our hands the gratitude and love they deserve.

Similar to the peculiar skincare regimen we religiously follow to reverse signs of aging and brighten our complexions, our hands crave the same attention. They, too, wrinkle due to sun exposure, chap and dry out in the colder months, and could use a glow-up every once in a while. Feeling guilty yet? Don't panic. It's not too late to begin your handcare journey. The first step is discovering the right hand cream and using it throughout the day. Scroll to see 29 top-rated hand creams.

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(Image credit: @sasha.mei)

What to Look for in a Hand Cream

It's no secret that hand creams could easily be one of the most frequently used beauty products. My favorite hand creams (many of which are named below) have claimed a permanent spot on my bedside table, tucked between my phone charger and the seasonal candle of my choice for quick, easy access at the beginning and end of my day. I even carry one particular hand cream, Chanel's La Crème Main, in my bag every day, changing its location from my work bag to my going-out purse as needed. It took me a while, however, to land on that one as my go-to everyday product.

To identify what sets a good hand cream apart from the rest in an indisputably oversaturated market, I turned to my fellow WWW beauty editors for their expertise on the subject. There were three main commonalities among their favorite products, all of which weren't the least bit surprising: lightweight, fast-absorbing formulas chock-full of skin-loving ingredients; affordable price points; and aesthetic packaging. Ready to find your perfect hand-cream match? Keep reading to discover 30 of our favorites.

Beauty-Editor Favorites

Best Overall Hand Cream: Nećessaire The Hand Cream

"This hand cream is packed with tons of powerhouse ingredients like CoQ10, niacinamide, glucosamine, retinol, and hyaluronic acid. It's one of my favorite hand creams to keep next to my bed and use overnight. It smells amazing, and I love how big the tube is." — Katie Berohn, Beauty Editor

1. Guerlain Abeille Royale Repairing & Youth Hand Balm

"This is one of the only hand creams I use because it actually keeps my skin hydrated, soft, smooth, and practically shimmery with nourishment for hours and hours. Despite the MVP ingredient—rich honey extract—it's not sticky or overly thick in the slightest. I don't even really like hand cream (I know, I know), but trust me. This stuff will change you!" — Erin Jahns, Beauty Director

2. Homecourt Steeped Rose Hand Cream

"Not gonna lie, I'm always suspicious about celebrity brands, but Homecourt has not disappointed me. I've become completely hooked on this hand cream. Not just because it smells like freshly cut roses (it's truly intoxicating!), but I don't think my hands have ever been this soft. It's full of nourishing ingredients such as Australian hibiscus-flower extract that hydrates and protects, shea butter to soften, and fermented microalgae oil to repair and nourish. I use it at least twice a day and am already stressing about running out." — Caitie Schlisserman, Beauty Director, Branded Content

3. Goldfaden MD Hands to Heart Brightening Hand Treatment

"If you're looking for a good, no-frills hand cream that hydrates your skin and makes it feel soft, this is it. It contains peptides and multiple vitamins to keep the hands looking plump and healthy. It's also fragrance-free, so it won't irritate those of us who have sensitive skin. I always keep a tube of this nearby." — Kaitlyn McLintock, Associate Beauty Editor

4. Butter London Extra Whip

"I use this hand cream every night before bed and wake up with baby-soft hands. It provides ultra-rich hydration with ingredients like shea butter, cocoa-seed butter, and niacinamide. It absorbs so quickly and is perfect for my super-dry hands, which have become that way due to a lot of handwashing. My hands tend to get a bit flakey when dry, but this cream solves that in a jiff—can't recommend enough." — Shawna Hudson, Associate Beauty Editor

5. Chanel La Crème Main Hand Cream

"Not only is this the chicest-looking hand cream (my boyfriend and I keep it in our living room for aesthetic purposes), but it also makes my hands feel incredibly soft after I use it. The formula uses iris pallida to strengthen the skin's barrier and May rose wax to deeply moisturize and nourish. It also helps improve nail health, which is a major plus!" — Berohn

6. Gold Bond Ultimate Healing Hand Cream

"I know this isn't the most luxurious choice ever, but that's kind of the point. Thanks to the tiny price tag, I'm able to use it as much as I want without wincing. Plus, the formula is heavy-duty. With seven moisturizers and vitamins A, C, and E, it hydrates, smooths, and protects my hands. Trust me on this—it totally alleviated my dry, cracked hands in the midst of a subzero Midwest winter. It's the real deal." — McLintock

7. Glossier Hand Cream

"I absolutely love the Glossier You Eau de Parfum, so it's no surprise I also love this hand cream. Obviously, I love the smell, but the brand also spent two full years perfecting the formula prior to its launch in 2020. It's not too creamy, but it's not too 'lotion-y' either. Plus, it dries in about five seconds and doesn't leave you feeling greasy or like you'll be leaving a trail of oily fingerprints in your aftermath." — Jahns

8. Payot Fresh Grass Hand Cream

"This hand cream took me by surprise. I wasn't too enthusiastic about the idea of my hands smelling like fresh grass, but when I tried it in a pinch, I quickly became obsessed with the scent and formula. Let's talk scent first. Instead of smelling strongly like a lawn mover as I imagined it would, it smells subtle, fresh, bright, and uplifting. It was love at first sniff. Then, there's the formula. It basically melts into my skin, making it feel super soft and smooth." — McLintock

More of Our Hand-Cream Favorites

Best Hand Creams for Dry Skin

Best Nongreasy Hand Creams

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(Image credit: @meganadelaide)

Best Hand Creams for Aging, Mature Skin

Best-Smelling Hand Creams

Best All-Natural Hand Creams

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(Image credit: @amaka.hamelijnck)

BEst Hand Creams With SPF

Best Affordable Hand Creams

Best Hand Creams for Eczema Relief

Best Unscented Hand Creams

This article was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated. 

Freelance Editor