From frequent hand washing to the effects of harsh weather, our hands go through a lot, but having a good hand cream on the go can make all the difference, thanks to soothing, hydrating and nourishing ingredients.
But is there any difference between hand cream and other moisturisers? Well, yes. Consultant dermatologist Dr Catherine Borysiewicz explains that, while any moisturiser will hydrate your hand, hand creams “tend to be richer with intense hydrating ingredients”, while their “texture is often easier to absorb, so the skin doesn’t feel too slippery”. And, of course, there’s the added bonus that some of the best hand creams are imparted with some sort of heavenly scent.
As for specific ingredients to look for in hand cream, Borysiewicz suggests hydrating ingredients, such as ceramides and hyaluronic acid, as they’re “great at plumping the skin, and supporting the skin barrier”, and recommends using a good SPF, as the skin on our hands is “thin and prone to pigmentation such as sun spots and fine lines”. She also warns against fragrance, perfumes and lanolin if you have sensitive skin.
Beyond skincare benefits, hand creams will of course differ in terms of scent and how they feel on the skin. One person’s dream lotion will be lightweight and quick to absorb, while another’s will form a protective barrier to lock-in hydration. With this in mind, we’ve been assessing popular and top-rated formulas from the likes of L’Occitane, CeraVe and more – here’s how they fared.
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How we tested
We’ve been putting these hand creams to the test over the course of two months. We applied (and re-applied) them as often as needed throughout the day, which was typically twice a day at least, in addition to several top-ups. We assessed their key ingredients, consistency (were they lightweight and silky or thick and heavy), scent, how quickly they sunk into the skin, and how they felt on the skin throughout the day. Where applicable, we also paid attention to any improvements to our nails and cuticles after using the creams, including reduced brittleness and flaking.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
With more than four years experience reviewing for IndyBest, Lois Borny is well versed in the beauty brands to know (and avoid). She’s tested everything from shampoo bars to lip balms and is across the most popular brands, including Ultra Violette, Clarins and more. In her pursuit to find the very best hand creams, she even consulted a dermatologist to inform her picks. See her choices below, plus all the hand cream dos and don’ts from Dr Catherine Borysiewicz.
The best hand creams for 2025 are:
- Best overall –L’Occitane shea butter hand cream: £23.20, Johnlewis.com
- Best budget buy – Palmers cocoa butter softens hand cream: £2.39, Boots.com
- Best budget SPF option –Boots SPF+ hydrating hand cream SPF30: £4, Boots.com
- Best for frequent hand washing –Nursem caring hand cream: £9.99, Boots.com
- Best luxury buy –Clarins hand and nail treatment cream: £28, Amazon.co.uk
