Though a plethora of in-depth studies and articles exist on anything and everything skincare, nailcare, haircare, and even scalpcare, there’s one key category that’s often overlooked. I’d go so far to say that this category is an afterthought for most of us. I’m talking, of course, about our hands, aka the most overworked, underappreciated part of our bodies. Think about it: Our hands work hard all day and receive little to no respect. It’s about time we show our hands the gratitude and love they deserve.

Similar to the peculiar skincare regimen we religiously follow to reverse signs of aging and brighten our complexions, our hands crave the same attention. They, too, wrinkle due to sun exposure; chap and dry in the colder months; and could use a glow-up every once in a while. Feeling guilty yet? Don’t panic. It’s not too late to begin your handcare journey. The first step? Discovering the right hand cream and using it throughout the day. Scroll to see 26 top-rated hand creams.

It’s no secret that hand creams could easily be one of the most frequently used beauty products. My favorite hand creams (many of which are named below) have claimed a permanent spot on my bedside table; tucked between my phone charger and the seasonal candle of my choice for quick, easy access at the beginning and end of my day. I even carry one particular hand cream, Chanel’s La Crème Main Hand Cream in my bag every day; changing its location from my work bag to my going out purse as needed. It took me a while, however, to land on that one as my go-to everyday product.

To identify what sets a good hand cream apart from the rest in a indisputably oversaturated market, I turned to my fellow WWW beauty editors for their expertise on the subject. There were three main commonalities among their favorite products; all of which were’t the least bit surprising: lightweight, fast-absorbing formulas chalked full of skin-loving ingredients, affordable price points, and aesthetic packaging. Ready to find your perfect hand-cream match? Keep reading to discover 30 of our favorites.

“This hand cream is packed with tons of powerhouse ingredients like CoQ10, niacinamide, glucosamine, retinol, and hyaluronic acid. It’s one of my favorite hand creams to keep next to my bed and use overnight. It smells amazing and I love how big the tube is.” — Katie Berohn, Beauty Editor

“This is one of the only hand creams I use because it actually keeps my skin hydrated, soft, smooth, and practically shimmery with nourishment for hours and hours. Despite the MVP ingredient—rich honey extract—it’s not sticky or overly thick in the slightest. I don’t even really like hand cream (I know, I know), but trust me, this stuff will change you!” — Erin Jahns, Beauty Director

“Not gonna lie, I’m always suspicious about celebrity brands, but Homecourt has not disappointed me. I’ve become completely hooked on this hand cream. Not just because it smells like freshly cut roses (it’s truly intoxicating!), but I don’t think my hands have ever been this soft. It’s full of ingredients like Australian hibiscus flower extract that hydrates and protects, she butter to soften, and fermented micro algae oil to repair and nourish. I use it at least twice a day and already stressing about running out.” — Caitie Schlisserman, Beauty Director, Banded Content

“If you’re looking for a good, no-frills hand cream that hydrates your skin and makes it feel soft, this is it. It contains peptides and multiple vitamins to keep the hands looking plump and healthy. It’s also fragrance-free, so it won’t irritate those of us who have sensitive skin. I always keep a tube of this nearby.” — Kaitlyn McLintock, Associate Beauty Editor

“I use this hand cream every night before bed and wake up with baby soft hands. It provides ultra-rich hydration with ingredients like shea butter, cocoa seed butter, and niacinamide. It absorbs so quickly and is perfect for my super dry hands (which have become that way due to a lot of hand-washing). My hands tend to get a bit flakey when dry, but this cream solves that in a jiff—can’t recommend enough.” — Shawna Hudson, Associate Beauty Editor

“Not only is this the chicest-looking hand cream (my boyfriend and I keep it in our living room for aesthetic purposes),  but it also makes my hands feel incredibly soft after I use it. The formula uses iris pallida to strengthen the skin’s barrier, and May rose wax to deeply moisturize and nourish. It also helps improve nail health, which is a major plus!” — Berohn

“I know this isn’t the most luxurious choice ever, but that’s kind of the point. Thanks to the tiny price tag, I’m able to use it as much as I want without wincing. Plus, the formula is heavy-duty. With 7 moisturizers and vitamins A, C, and E, it hydrates, smooths, and protects my hands. Trust me on this, it totally alleviated my dry, cracked hands in the midst of a subzero midwest winter. It’s the real deal.” — McLintock

“I absolutely love the Glossier You Eau de Parfum, so it’s no surprise I also love this hand cream. Obviously, I love the smell, but the brand also spent two full years perfecting the formula prior to its launch in 2020. It’s not too creamy, but it’s not too “lotion-y” either. Plus, it dries in about five seconds and doesn’t leave you feeling greasy or like you’ll be leaving a trail of oily fingerprints in your aftermath.” — Jahns

“This hand cream took me by surprise. I wasn’t too enthusiastic about the idea of my hands smelling like fresh grass, but when I tried it in a pinch, I quickly became obsessed with the scent and formula. Let’s talk scent first. Instead of smelling strongly like a lawn mover as I imagined it would, it smells subtle and fresh and bright and up-lifting. It was love at first sniff. Then, there’s the formula. It basically melts into my skin, making it feel super soft and smooth.” — McLintock

“Not only do I think this (refillable!) container looks so good on my nightstand, but every time I use it, I wake up with the softest hands. It has retinol to help with uneven texture and discoloration, and colloidal oatmeal to soothe chapped skin, so it’s especially a favorite of mine in the winter.” — Berohn

This comes in multiple fragrances, so pick your poison. Customer review: “I have tubes of it everywhere—one in my office desk, one in my purse, one in my bathroom at home, one in my car. It’s the best hand cream for dry skin.” Pros: Lightweight and fast-absorbing formula. Cons: None

Proven to deeply hydrate and nourish your hands without being greasy. Customer review: “I live in a very cold part of the United States where the windchill can drop to -90º, and these products keep on working their moisturizing magic!” Pros: Ultra-hydrating for dry skin. Cons: Somewhat oily finish

Don’t forget, hand massages are important too. Customer review: “This stuff works miracles. Highly recommend for anyone needing relief from dry or cracked hands, as well as those whose jobs or activities shred their hands.” Pros: Formula crafted with macadamia oil. Cons: Natural fragrance is initially strong

This vegan hand cream is comprised of 20% shea butter and olive oil, which work hand in hand with exfoliating sea salt to add moisture. Customer review: “This is the best hand cream ever. My hands and cuticles become so dry that I can snag a pair of stockings; this cream is so rich, and it literally heals my skin.” Pros: Long lasting moisture after one application. Cons: Not fast-absorbing

A natural product made up of some of the best extracts including, rosemary, lavender, coffee, pomegranate, green tea leaf, and more. Customer review: “For those who hate the feeling of lotion, this is for you! I’ve lost count of how many different lotions out there that claim to be non-greasy, yet they all fail. This is the first one I’ve come across that actually is non-greasy!” Pros: Smooths and softens the skin. Cons: Formula tends to be greasy

Aloe is a key ingredient in this highly reviewed hand cream. Customer review: “My job requires a lot of hand washing which of course results in terribly dry hands. This cream is so soothing to the skin without feeling greasy and absorbs quickly.” Pros: Silky smooth finish. Cons: Moisture is not long lasting

Anti-aging hand lotion, check. Customer review: “My hands also looked like I was 90. Not anymore!” Pros: Deeply hydrating. Cons: Not vegan as advertised (uses beeswax)

Don’t forget: Hand creams also smell amazing. They’re the perfect afternoon pick-me-up. Customer review: “My hands were quite spotted from years of sun, but most have faded away.” Pros: Fruity-fresh fragrance. Cons: Thin, greasy formula

Does anyone else buy products because they’re aesthetically pleasing? Customer review: “The best thing, however, is the lemon cream smell. It’s the best smell on the face of this earth.” Pros: Ultra-hydrating formula. Cons: Strongly fragranced

Industrial strength? Sign me up. Customer review: “When you first apply it, it’s quite thick and almost chalky, but it absorbs into your skin quickly if you don’t use too much. It’s heavier and quite conditioning, and it eventually leaves your hands feeling matte. It takes about five minutes for the greasy, clammy feeling to leave your hands while it absorbs into the skin.” Pros: Refreshing minty fragrance. Cons: Not ideal for sensitive skin

Ahava is made with nutrients from the dead sea in order to keep your hands hydrated and healthy. Customer review: “I’m a bit compulsive, so I did research online and bought the 10 best hand lotions based on lists and reviews from multiple websites. Anyway, this is by far the best hand lotion you can find.” Pros: Firms, softens, and evens the skin. Cons: None

I never travel without this guy. Customer review: “This is the best hand lotion I’ve found yet. I work with my hands and wash them constantly throughout the day. I use this at night, and my hands haven’t cracked yet since I’ve found this lotion.” Pros: Non-greasy and fast absorbing. Cons: Slightly medicinal scent

I’m a big fan of ultra-moisturizing formulas. Customer review: “A few people said the hand cream was too greasy. I think they put too much on. The package says ‘a dab,’ and that’s what I used—well, I needed a bit more at the beginning with the eczema, but I sing the praises of this product! Wahoo!” Pros: Promotes skin health. Cons: Has a thick, sticky consistency

A tried-and-true hand cream. Bonus: It includes SPF, which is imperative in wrinkle prevention. Customer review: “It goes on very nice and rubs in easily. I’ve tried other lotions with sunscreen, and they just don’t apply as easily as Eucerin.” Pros: Leaves no white cast. Cons: Not fragrance free; potentially irritating to sensitive skin

It’s all in the name. Customer review: “This is the only product that keeps my hands soft all day! Since I’m an administrator, I’m always typing, so I can’t have greasy hands.” Pros: Targets rough skin. Cons: None

A lot of hand creams use vitamin E because it moisturizes and nourishes by absorbing quickly into the skin. Customer review: “I keep this on my desk at work—not only does it keep my hands from getting dry, but the scent helps to keep me in a good mood. It’s very subtle—not floral. One whiff and I was addicted.” Pros: Restores dry hands. Cons: Thick (sometimes sticky) consistency

If this cleared my eczema, it can save your dry hands. Customer review: “I bought this product looking for relief for my dried-out winter hands. They had gotten so bad they were cracked and bleeding, and nothing was saving them. Aveeno is a brand I trust, so I gave this a go.” Pros: Incredibly soothing. Cons: Not long-lasting

An all-in-one cream for your face, body, and hands. Now there’s really no excuses for hand care. Customer review: “It’s not a high-end cream, and you won’t break the bank, but feels like it.” Pros: Effective, fast-absorbing formula. Cons: None

Working hand cream for working hands. Customer review: “I’ve tried many different kinds of lotions and creams, and this is by far the best I’ve tried for dry hands. In addition to moisturizing and healing, it doesn’t stay greasy (which I consider a plus). I highly recommend this hand cream!” Pros: Heals dry, cracked skin . Cons: Somewhat greasy finish

This First Aid Beauty cream aims to provide instant relief to dry and cracked hands, thank you. Customer review: “This product along with my acne-care treatment has made my face the healthiest and clearest my skin has ever been!” Pros: Safe for sensitive skin. Cons: None

Up Next: These 5 Common Moisturizer Ingredients Are Toxic—Here’s What to Buy Instead

This article was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated.