Very few beauty products are actually universal, but hand creams are at the top of the list. So much so, in fact, that, in a weird way, it also makes them kind of… maligned, particularly as a present. They can feel like a weirdly utilitarian afterthought, very “I didn’t know what you liked, so I got you something everyone likes.” But I would very much like to challenge that narrative: Because hand creams, particularly luxury hand creams, can be the ultimate little “treat yourself” (or “help them treat themselves” if we’re doing a little gifting moment).
Designer hand creams, for example, allow you or your recipient to get whisked away into the world of a beloved brand in a way that 1. can be used every day, and 2. won’t require taking out a small personal loan. There are loads of fine fragrance hand creams designed to amplify eau de parfums and body mists, allowing you or your loved one to re-up on a signature scent throughout the day. And that’s to say nothing of the innovative, skincare-forward ingredients found in many of the formulas.
Board-certified dermatologist Ariel Ostad, MD previously told MC to look for hand creams with “ceramides and hyaluronic acid to help moisturize and strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier.” He also suggested seeking out niacinamide, because it boosts skin hydration and helps minimize moisture loss.
Ready to seriously up your hand cream game? Keep scrolling to discover some of my all-time luxury picks.
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Designer Goods
Bearing the names and style signatures of some of the most storied high-fashion houses, these hand creams are perfect for anyone looking for a little piece of everyday luxury.
Prada
Hand Triple Care Hand Cream With Niacinamide & Biotin
Housed in the same geometric packaging as the Paradoxe fragrances—which is itself modeled after the label’s iconic logo—Prada’s Hand Cream is a thinner formula that’s loaded up with hydration heroes. They include niacinamide, biotin, shea butter, and iris extract.
Chanel’s camellia-packed hand creams are often found in celebrity manicurist Tom Bachik’s credits—and if it’s good enough for Selena Gomez, it’s certainly good enough for me. Along with the subtly illuminating Crème Main, the maison offers a thicker variation (Texture Riche) and Le Lift Main, which includes botanical alfalfa to help boost skin firmness.
Dior
Le Baume Revitalizing Multi-Use Balm
Dressed in the brand’s famous logo, Dior’s Le Baume is actually a multi-hyphenate: While it’s perhaps most famous as a hand cream, it can actually be used on the lips and body, too. (She’s got range!) The ingredients list includes hydration A-lister hyaluronic acid and hand cream mainstay shea butter.
Tastemaker Selects
These are those, if you know, you know brands that offer intriguing scent profiles, refined formulas, heritage bona fides, or some combo of the above.
L’Occitane
Almond Delicious Hands Hand Cream
Cyklar
Rose Bud Urea Hand Cream With Ectoin and Squalane
These days, I can’t log onto Instagram without seeing a fellow beauty editor posting a Cyklar product among their empties. And I’m right there with them; offerings like the Urea Hand Cream perfectly balance sophisticated, grown-up scents with highly efficacious skincare ingredients (in this case, urea and squalane).
Homecourt
Hand Cream in Cece
Courteney Cox’s home brand is a staple on well-appointed kitchen counters, beloved for bringing elegant, complex fragrances to categories that haven’t historically been all that sexy (think room deodorant and dish soap). Its soft and satiny hand creams are the perfect post-handwash treat.
Fine Fragrance Faves
Pro tip: Layering is an excellent way to pump up the proverbial volume on your favorite fine fragrance. You can get even more out of your go-to scent by pairing it with the matching body wash, lotion, hair mist, or—of course—hand cream.
Jo Malone London
Blackberry & Bay Hand Cream
Jo Malone’s hand creams come in what are, without a doubt, my favorite tubes: Each has a fun black geometric pattern against a cream-colored background. But these aren’t on the list (just) for the packaging: The sophisticated and very natural-smelling fragrances are equally alluring, if not more so.
Byredo
Mojave Ghost Hand Cream
Byredo’s Mojave Ghost Eau de Parfum is a fan favorite thanks to its airy blend of florals—like magnolia and violet—with woody notes and musk. If you’re among its devotees, layer up with the accompanying hand cream, which features a thick, shea butter-rich formula and a strong fragrance.
Shelfie Appeal
Whether you plan to keep them on your vanity or toss them into the hottest handbag of the season, these creams look as good on your feed as they feel on your hands.
Soft Services
Theraplush Hand Repair Cream
The sculptural, refillable cask that houses Soft Services’ Theraplush Hand Repair Cream is pure minimalist art. The brand offers a few formulas—including fragrance-free (yellow) and a DedCool Xtra Milk collab (light blue)—and just dropped a limited-edition Mother of Pearls iteration that is very much on my wish list.
You can’t have a “shelfie appeal” section without including the brand that popularized the term in the first place. Glossier’s chic little hand cream pods feature a domed design and a click-and-close lid, and are available in four cool-girl-approved scents, including the brand’s flagship fragrance, You.
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