The Creams Keeping My Hands Baby-Soft This Fall (2024)

Soft Services’ overnight Theraplush treatment is as comforting and cushiony as it sounds. While its formula is intensive enough to even out dark spots and smooth rough cuticles, soothing colloidal oatmeal works overtime to combat skin irritation. And as a bonus, its airless pump case nicely happens to be refillable.

One satisfied shopper writes: “I’ve only been using this product for a few weeks and see a difference already. I’m 60 years old and produce food videos so I’m very conscious of the appearance of my ‘mature’ hands. Theraplush has absolutely enhanced the overall smoothness and texture; so impressed with this lovely cream!” —Sheri

Nécessaire’s nourishing hand cream and encapsulated hand retinol—which releases slowly over time—is a hit among Bazaar editors for its skin-smoothing and fine-line-reducing benefits. Star ingredients like niacinamide help minimize discoloration while alpha hydroxy acids (or AHAs) exfoliate dead skin cells for supreme softness.

One beauty expert says: “Both the hand cream and the serum are so chic, so easy to use, and—most importantly—so effective. After testing these (with the baseline being never ever using any kind of hand moisturizer), I noticed a dramatic increase in the skin quality and plumpness of my hands. Even my cuticles and nails look less scraggly.” —Jenna Rosenstein, beauty director

Chantecaille’s retinol hand cream uses encapsulated retinol to smooth skin, Chilean tree bark to minimize discoloration, plus saccharine isomerate to attract water in the air for long-lasting moisture well after it's applied. The rich cream also contains a blend of rose and vitamin C for even more of a brightening and nourishing effect on your hands.

One satisfied customer writes: “Since our hands reveal our age as much as our face, I tend to spend a fair amount on hand creams. Like all Chantecaille products, this hand cream is amazing. The Retinol evens out skin tone and keeps wrinkles at bay, and the lovely rosewater-base scent is unobtrusive and pleasant.” —WendyNYC

Nearly 6,000 Amazon shoppers swear by the nongreasy feel of this beloved hand cream. In addition to retinol, it also contains antioxidant-rich green tea to keep effects from environmental stressors at bay, along with vitamins A, C, and E to brighten and nourish dry skin.

One satisfied customer writes: “This will be the only hand cream I will ever use from now on! Just after the first application my hands looked and feel so much better. It’s been a week now of using it just twice a day and I notice smoother skin.” —Anonymous

This popular retinol hand cream uses a brightening trifecta of azelaic acid, licorice root extract, and vitamin C to even the skin’s tone. It also contains moisturizing vitamin E and nourishing cucumber extract to help minimize irritation.

One satisfied customer writes: “Not a hand lotion; it’s a treatment and I love it. Though I have thin skin on my hands which gives away my age I do not have dark spots or dry wrinkles. My esthetician suggested ReNu and now I am completely hooked. Within days I noticed a difference!” —Vivian S.

While it’s technically a hand mask, this retinol treatment seamlessly hydrates palms and cuticles as you sleep. And since it’s packed with vitamins and fatty acids, the mask not only moisturizes skin as you snooze, but also improves its texture.

One satisfied customer writes: “I have been using this for a week and the results are amazing! Not only has the hand mask improved my hands I’ve been using on my arms and the skin is tighter and smoother, I cannot believe the results, incredible!” — Jillian D.

Here’s a multitasking retinol cream that works for both your face and hands. Its formula aims to keep skin hydrated for up to 24 hours, thanks to ingredients like shea and cocoa butter that quickly absorb and don’t leave a greasy residue behind.

One satisfied customer writes: “More people need to know about this brand. It’s a cost-effective brand, that really does what it promises. I have very dry skin, and it helps to moisturize my skin without making it feel pasty. It’s easy to apply and a little goes a long way.” —Tatiane C.

If you don’t exactly consider yourself a hand cream person, consider this all-over body lotion from the experts at Naturium. Along with soothing allantoin, its formula also uses an encapsulated and stabilized retinol complex to reduce redness and irritation.

One satisfied customer writes: “I absolutely love using this on my arms and hands. It feels amazing and incredibly rich. Naturium has really outdone themselves with this product.” —Momentum

Another of our favorite retinol body lotions, this one from Olay uses vitamin B₃ to provide long-lasting hydration and help skin retain moisture for up to 24 hours. And in addition to minimizing dryness, the popular lotion also aims to make your skin smoother after a week of consistent use.

One satisfied customer writes: “This is my go-to for daily moisturizing. It’s silky smooth, smells great but not overpowering, and isn’t greasy. It’s a great price too considering you get this huge container. I love how smooth the pumping mechanism is too. Lasts a long time on the skin and you can tell it’s high quality. I absolutely recommend it!” —Sergiu A.

• Dr. Kautilya Shaurya, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist with Schweiger Dermatology Group based in New York City.
• Dr. Saami Khalifian is a board-certified dermatologist with SOM Aesthetics based in Encinitas, California.

Depending on your skin’s sensitivity level, you may experience the following while using one of the best retinol hand creams:

• Irritation: Using retinol can sometimes encourage skin dryness, redness, and irritation, which is why Khalifian recommends starting with a formula that contains a lower concentration of the ingredient. He also suggests starting slow when incorporating the staple into your regular body care routine. “Starting at a lesser frequency—like every other night—and building up is advisable,” he says.

• Sun sensitivity: Just like applying the ingredient to your face, using retinol on your hands can make them more sensitive to the sun. Using sunscreen is essential regularly, but especially when using retinol. “One big downside [to retinol hand creams] is that people often overlook applying SPF to their hands,” Shaurya says. “Not applying sunscreen is literally working against yourself, as it increases the risk of sun damage, which can negate the benefits of using retinol.”

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