This post may contain affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

A good hand cream is essential for winter because it provides the necessary skin care for your hands. Winters bring the challenge of keeping your hands soft and supple, and the colder part of the world makes it a constant battle to keep them moisturized.

Why Moisturize?

Nobody likes cracked, weather-beaten hands with bleeding knuckles, brittle nails, and frayed cuticles, which is why moisturizing is absolutely necessary. Dry, flaky hands don’t look good and are uncomfortable. Winter air has low humidity, causing your hands to dry out. Additionally, the fluctuating dry indoor heat and harsh outdoor cold make it tough to maintain soft, glowing skin, making you look older.

Moisturizers Have No Substitute

Only moisturizing will treat your dry hands; water is not a replacement. Drinking water won’t replenish your skin’s moisture. Washing hands might give a temporary moist feel and keep them clean, but physically applying a good moisturizer prevents water evaporation and gives your skin a smooth look.

Why Not Use Body Moisturizer?

Though similar, hand creams are thicker because hands need more moisture. Different people require different levels of hydration, and body lotions are less viscous and less moisturizing. Hand creams are formulated to penetrate the skin and form a protective layer to retain moisture, often making them feel stickier or greasier.

Types of Moisturizers and Their Ingredients

Moisturizers can be categorized based on:

– Specific skin type
– Special-purpose creams
– Day or night creams
– Different body parts

The major types of moisturizers include:

Humectants – Moisture Absorbers

Hydrophilic in nature, they keep the skin hydrated, working best for dry, thick skin in humid climates. Key ingredients: Glycerin, lactic acid, urea, hyaluronic acid, and alpha hydroxy acid (AHAs).

Emollients – Space Fillers

These fill gaps between skin cells, making the skin smoother and more hydrated. They are oil or water-based and best for extremely dry skin needing serious care. Key ingredients: Petrolatum, lanolin, and mineral oil.

Ceramides – The Skin Glue

Found naturally in the skin, ceramides preserve skin moisture, making them perfect for normal to combination skin. Key Ingredient: Ceramides.

Occlusive – Moisture Sealers

Suitable for mature, dehydrated skin, these thick moisturizers soak the skin in moisture. Ideal for the body, not the face, and not recommended for sensitive skin. Ingredients: Hazelnut oils, rose hip, and avocado.

Moisturizers for oily skin are usually oil-free to balance oil content, while oil-based constituents like petrolatum are recommended for dry skin. Night creams tend to be heavier for overnight protection compared to day creams.

Moisturizers often have added benefits from minerals, vitamins, and plant extracts. For instance, those with sunscreen are ideal for daytime use. Natural oils like grape seed, jojoba, and olive oil boost collagen production, promote new skin cells, and keep skin moisturized all day.

How to Use Moisturizer

Using moisturizer correctly maximizes its benefits. For soft and supple hands, follow this procedure:

1. Wash hands with lukewarm water to open pores.
2. Exfoliate hands using a home-made or store-bought exfoliator, thoroughly removing the flaky upper layer.
3. Apply a generous amount of hand cream and distribute it smoothly.
4. Cover hands with gloves overnight to keep them soft.
5. Rinse off any residual lotion with warm water the next day.
6. Repeat consistently for the best results.

Reviews of the 5 Best Hand Moisturizers in 2016

1. R. Watkins Anti-Aging Hand Cream

This thick, creamy hand cream is 99% natural and doesn’t leave a greasy feel. It contains ingredients like retinol, coconut oil, and shea butter, leaving your skin soft and luscious.

2. EOS Everyday Hand Lotion in Cucumber

This portable hand cream is easy to use on the go. It keeps your hands continuously hydrated with glycerin, aloe, and other nutrients, making your skin feel pampered and soft.

3. Kora Organics by Miranda Kerr Daily Hand Cream

Kora Organics provides substantial results quickly, filling in cracks with rich ingredients like macadamia-seed and olive oils, and shea butter, leaving your skin hydrated and satisfied.

4. Eucerin Daily Skin Balance Skin-Fortifying Hand Crème

This cream stands out with its unique pH5 buffer that maintains the skin’s pH level effectively. It contains glycerin, vitamins, and mineral oil, making it one of the most popular creams in 2016.

5. Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream

Perfect for extremely dry skin, this cream combines panthenol and glycerin to provide an effective anti-dry treatment, making your hands feel heavenly and soft.