Image courtesy of @aesopskincare on Instagram
A luxurious, hardworking hand lotion is a year-round beauty must-have, especially during long haul flights and to keep your hands soft, supple, and hydrated against the elements. We put our fingers to the task of finding the best hand creams for your carry-on, handbag, and beauty cabinet.
Margaret Dabbs Intensive Hydrating Hand Lotion
Formulated by London podiatrist, Margaret Dabbs, who pioneered the ‘medical pedicure,’ this emollient-rich hand treatment does not disappoint. Chock full of ingredients like geranium and mandarin (for their uplifting scent) and white water lily (to hydrate), the true standout of this lush cream is emu oil, known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Also available: travel-size hand wash, cleansing gel and scrub.
La Mer The Hand Treatment
Silky and lightweight, this decadent hand cream stays on through several hand washes, working to soothe and repair dry skin. Its superpower ingredient: miracle broth, containing giant sea kelp, hand-harvested in the pristine waters off Vancouver, British Columbia. We love that every time a new miracle broth is created, it is infused with drops from the batch that came before it.
Bamford Geranium Hand and Body Lotion
This nutrient-rich hand and body cream by British brand Bamford is packed with botanical oils and ingredients to protect, hydrate, and soften the skin. The magic formula features delicious scented Egyptian geranium combined, uplifting peppermint, refreshing eucalyptus hints, and calming soothing lavender and aloe vera. We also love that Bamford packages all of its products in recycled paper, cardboard, or glass they come certified COSMOS organic by the soil association.
Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm
True confession: we were originally drawn to this hydrating hand balm for its packaging – an artful pink metal tube, undeniably Instagram-worthy. But once the balm sunk in, we were wowed by its texture, no greasy residue. Its rich, skin-softening ingredients: sweet almond and coconut oils; cocoa and shea butters. And its scent – notes of mandarin, rosemary and cedarwood. Added bonus: works just as amazingly on feet.
L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream
A hands-down L’Occitane favorite, this bestseller is reportedly sold every two seconds throughout the world. Enriched with the purest shea butter, it absorbs quickly into the skin – and contains a softening, nourishing blend of organic spring honey and sweet almond oil (rich in omegas 6 and 9) to soften and nourish. We also love that the French brand empowers 10,000 women in Burkina Faso, West Africa, to produce this beautiful must-have.
Chanel La Crème Main
When it comes to luxury, it’s hard to resist Chanel, especially in the form of the brand’s gorgeous La Crème Main which hand cream infused with softening rose wax and brightening iris extract to leave your hands silky smooth and reduce the appearance of dark spots. Its fast-absorbing, non-greasy formula makes it a perfect travel companion and a must in every it bag.
Mario Badescu Rose Hand Cream with Vitamin E
This top-seller takes hand cream to the next level thanks to restorative, nourishing, sweet swelling rose and vitamin E to protect your hands from UV damage and free radicals. Slather this lightweight blend anytime to soothe and repair dry skin.
Algenist Genius Liquid Collagen Hand Cream
Powered by active vegan collagen, hyaluronic acid, and shea butter, this deeply hydrating hand cream is a secret weapon against dry out and irritation. Vitamins C and E also help promote brighter skin, fight environmental stresses and blur the appearance of dark spots.
