5 Best Hand Creams for Men – for Soft, Silky & Healthy Hands

5 Best Hand Creams for Men – for Soft, Silky & Healthy Hands

Best Hand Cream for Men

Do me a favor, open up your medicine cabinet and take a look at all of your grooming products, do you see a sea of shaving creams, facial cleansers, hair gels, beard oils and colognes?

Is there something missing? 

Until recently, hand cream wasn’t a part of my daily routine. After all, only women need to moisturize, right? Wrong. New flash fellas, cracked and bloody knuckles don’t look good on anyone.

Keeping the skin on your hands healthy isn’t just a cosmetic necessity, but it also plays a crucial role in making sure that you can do all of the outdoor, physical activities that we love.

Don’t stress, though. Finding a great hand cream doesn’t have to be difficult. Keep reading to find out significant benefits of the best hand lotion for men, as well as product reviews, and product features to keep in mind.

Our Top 3 Hand Creams Picks

Everything About Hand Creams

Let’s discuss some of the basics first. By definition, a hand cream is a liquid that is rubbed into the hands. Quality hand lotions are not only capable of the moisturizing skin, but they can also proactively create a protective barrier from harsh weather conditions and excessive hand washing.

Depending on your needs, there are creams out there that contain SPF, have anti-aging properties, and even restore past damage.

Not all lotion is interchangeable. If you see a product that is marketed towards specific parts of your body, it’s because it has been specifically formulated for use in that area. For example, smearing body lotion on your face isn’t a great idea.

Hand lotions are typically much thicker than facial moisturizers, and using a heavy lotion on your face can lead to breakouts and grease build-up.

why you should you the best hand cream

Hand Cream Benefits

Skin hydration is one of the most important benefits of a good hand cream. Quality lotions can help prevent chapping and chafing, and some salves have been formulated with the ability to reverse past damage that has come about from excessive dryness.

Many hand creams contain SPF. This means that you should be taking care of your hands all year around, not just in the winter months when you notice adverse effects from the weather. Covering hands with a good sunscreen helps to minimize the risk of skin cancer and decreases the chances of brown spots making an appearance.

Another often-overlooked benefit is nail health. At times, manual labor can leave your nails weak, broken, and dingy in appearance. Luckily, some hand creams contain ingredients that help to strengthen and enhance the appearance of nails.

Why You Should Use It

Even the most rugged-appearing men don’t look good with rough hands or cracked and bloody knuckles.

Are there times, when you reach out to greet someone and are embarrassed by the dry, rash-like appearance of your hands right before a handshake?  Using a hand lotion helps to make sure your skin doesn’t end up this damaged.

Appearance aside, hand creams also have a practical use.

If your hands are almost always exposed, you’ll have a harder time keeping them moisturized like the rest of your body. You need to help them out by applying a high-quality lotion so that your skin doesn’t rip or tear. Having healthy skin means that you can keep working them hard all day long without worrying about breaking those well-earned calluses or developing a painful rash.

hand cream for men reviews

What It’s Good For

Hand lotion plays a vital role in keeping hands hydrated and healthy. After all, skin is your body’s largest organ, so it’s definitely worth your effort to show it the tender, loving care it deserves.

By regularly applying a well-formulated hand cream, you’re not only combating past damage, but you are also proactively decreasing the chances of encountering unwanted skin irritation down the road.

What to Look for When Buying a Hand Cream

When it comes to buying a hand cream, there’s not a ton of things to look out for. But still there are few things:

hand cream buying guide

Your Skin

Not all hand creams are created equal, so before you go out to buy a bottle, consider your skin needs.

Do you have dry skin? Are you out in the sun a lot? Is delaying signs of aging important? These are all critical factors to consider so that you purchase a product that will give you the results you’re hoping to achieve.

Thick and creamy lotions tend to work well for dry skin types, but if you find that your hands are oily and have excess grease, consider selecting a hand cream that is lightweight and allows your skin to breathe.

If you have sensitive skin, be sure to thoroughly read ingredient lists to ensure that there aren’t any chemicals or additives that you may cause a negative reaction.

how to pick a good hand cream for men

Ingredients

When it comes to ingredients in your hand cream, there are good ones and bad ones you should avoid.

The Good Ones

According to the Mayo Clinic, there are some common ingredients that are associated with excellent quality hand creams.

Lightweight, water-based formulas are suitable for normal and oily skin types. If you fall into this category, look for silicone-derived ingredients such as dimethicone or cyclomethicone.

Mature, or dry, skin benefits from a hydration boost. Heavy lotions are appropriate for individuals who fall into this category because thick creams help to lock in water and have more staying power. Be on the lookout for oil or petroleum-based products. Alpha hydroxy acids help lessen the appearance of wrinkling and glycerin is known for its effectiveness.

If you often see redness and irritation, or if your hands are usually itchy, there’s a good chance you have sensitive skin. If this is the case, natural ingredients are the best suited for you. Chamomile and aloe help to soothe inflammation. It’s also a good idea to stay away from any fragrances or added colors because they can irritate skin.

The Bad Ones

Even if you don’t have sensitive skin, some ingredients are linked to other health concerns that you may want to avoid.

Although there isn’t proof of a definitive link between parabens and elevated cancer risk, try to avoid them whenever possible. For decades, parabens have been used in a variety of cosmetic products because they act as a preservative that stops the growth of mold and bacteria.

In 2004, the “Journal of Applied Toxicology” came out with a report indicating that parabens could be a significant contributor to breast cancer. The jury is still out as to whether there’s a definitive link, but whenever there is a more natural option that doesn’t contain these chemicals, I opt for that.

Other preservatives to try and avoid are benzoic acid and phthalates.

Many dermatologists also recommend avoiding added dyes. A great deal of synthetic colors come from coal tar sources that you want to avoid. For me, the color of a hand lotion doesn’t matter in the least, so avoiding added dye is easy to accomplish.

Scent

In general, added fragrances can be skin irritants that you should avoid. If you enjoy using perfumed hand creams, though, opt for lotions that have been made with naturally-derived scents like shea or cocoa butter or essential oils that can add great fragrance to a cream.

5 Best Hand Creams for Men – Reviews

1.

SPECS

  • Size: 3.4 / 6.8 oz.

  • Not 100% Natural

  • Scent: Unscented


THE GOOD

  • Non-greasy formula

  • Helps alleviate dry, cracked skin

  • Safe for all skin types

  • Maintains proper skin PH balance

THE BAD

  • Feels a bit sticky 


GENERAL OVERVIEW

O’Keeffe’s Working Hands is nothing glamorous, but it’s been around for years because it works.

You can get a 3.4 or 6.8 oz. jar of this salve very cheap. It’s shelf stable for up to three years, but with regular use, I’m sure it won’t be hanging around your house for that long.

Although not a natural lotion, the chemicals used in O’Keefee’s working hands are much milder than some of the other options that exist on the market.


INGREDIENTS

The real stars of the show here are water, glycerin, and paraffin. Glycerin helps to draw in the moisture provided from the water, and the paraffin acts as a protective barrier.


USAGE

Working Hands is designed to help alleviate dry skin symptoms, so the formula is quite thick, and can take a while to rub in.

The original formula comes in a jar, which makes it easy to use. When applying the cream, you only need a pea-sized amount. I like that it’s an odorless lotion because this is great for people with sensitive skin or use other scented products that can have a fragrance clash.


VERDICT

This is an excellent cream for people who suffer from dry skin, but is safe for all skin types.

It’s one of the best hand creams for men (and women as well). O’Keeffe’s Working Hands is a fantastic option for guys who do a lot of rough labor with their hands or who are often outside in cold climates.


2.

SPECS

  • Size: 3 fl oz.

  • Not 100% Natural

  • Scent: Eucalyptus like


THE GOOD

  • Formulated to help relieve dry skin

  • Cruelty-free vegan ingredients

  • Contains antibacterial botanicals

  • Dye and paraben-free

THE BAD

  • Contains silicone


GENERAL OVERVIEW

The Jack Black skin care line is known for making high-quality men’s grooming products.

The Industrial Strength Hand Healer is packed full of natural, certified-organic ingredients which may explain why it comes at a price point that is a little bit higher than some other options. It comes in a three fl oz. tube that should last you a few months.


INGREDIENTS

This product contains ingredients that are all cruelty, gluten, fragrance, and colorant free.


USAGE

The Industrial Strength Hand Healer is easy to apply. It comes in an easy-to-use tube, and you only need to use a nickel-sized amount. Its formula is non-greasy and feels incredibly smooth. This product is fragrance-free, but it does have a eucalyptus like scent from the essential oils blend.


VERDICT

Jack Black’s Industrial Strength Hand Healer feels like a high-end lotion and is a great option for guys who look for a maintenance hand cream that will keep their hands soft and healthy.

The rich and soothing formula of this lotion makes it an excellent option for men with dry or sensitive skin.


3.

SPECS

  • Size: 3.4 fl. oz

  • Not 100% Natural

  • Scent: Masculine


THE GOOD

  • Helps improve skin texture

  • Lightweight formula

  • Doesn’t feel greasy

THE BAD

  • May not be suitable for severely dry skin


GENERAL OVERVIEW

The Ahava brand is synonymous with quality products. This lotion can be kind of pricey but contains many natural, quality ingredients that I don’t mind paying a little bit more to use.

The Time to Energize Mineral Hand Cream comes in a 3.4 fl. oz. tube that should last you a couple of months if using it daily.


INGREDIENTS

The use of witch hazel is impressive because it helps to refresh and revitalize damaged skin.


USAGE

A small amount of this lotion goes a long way. It glides on effortlessly and has an almost immediate hydrating effect. The little tube that it comes in makes it easy to bring with you just about anywhere. This product also has a slightly masculine scent.


VERDICT

Time to Energize Mineral Hand Cream is fairly gentle, so it’s safe for a variety of skin types. Due to its lightweight, and scented, formula, it may not be the best option for you if you have severely dry skin. This lotion is best for guys with normal or sensitive skin.

If you’re searching for a quality lotion for men, I feel comfortable recommending this product to you because of the quality of ingredients Ahava uses.


4.

SPECS

  • Size: 3 oz.

  • 100% Natural

  • Scent: Eucalyptus & Rosemary


THE GOOD

  • All natural ingredients

  • Cheap

THE BAD

  • A bit oily


GENERAL OVERVIEW

Burt’s Bees is well known their all-natural skin care products. For the size of the 3 fl. oz. the container it comes in, this salve can be off-putting for some men, but it’s worth noting that just a small amount of the ointment can entirely cover your hands.

If you’re careful only to apply the small amount that is needed, a tin of this product can last you a couple of months. My favorite part of this hand cream is that it is 100% natural.


INGREDIENTS

This cream is free of chemicals! It’s a blend of quality essential and carrier oils.

Sweet Almond Oil, Olive Fruit Oil, Beeswax, Rosemary Oil, Eucalyptus Oil, Rosmarinus Oil, Lavender.


USAGE

This product is a salve, so it goes on thick. It’s relatively easy to apply, and after working it in a little bit, it softens up and turns into an oily consistency. You only need to use a small amount, and the tin it comes in is compact and easy to carry.  There’s also a faint, medicinal scent that may be off-putting to some.


VERDICT

Thanks to its natural ingredients, almost everyone can use this balm. It’s great for guys with dry, cracked hands. 

Due to it’s oily texture it might not be the suitable for ‘on the go’ hand cream. So if you need a cream that will absorb quickly and leave no residue it might not be the best option for you.

Burt’s Bees salve has some attractive qualities that make it fit right in with a lot of its competitors.


5.

SPECS

  • Size: 4 oz.

  • 100% Natural

  • Scent: Strong


THE GOOD

  • Non-greasy formula

  • Soothes chapped skin

THE BAD

  • Watery consistency

  • Lorem ipsum


GENERAL OVERVIEW

Beauchamp’s hand lotion is an old school product that hails from the Vermont countryside. It comes in a four fl. oz. bottle that should last you a few months because applying only a small amount at a time is enough. The price of this product is fair, and the all-natural ingredient is impressive.


INGREDIENTS

Camphor & soap liniment, Glycerin, Bay Rum, Rose Water, Witch Hazel.

 That’s it!


USAGE

This hand cream doesn’t feel like anything else I’ve ever tried. Somehow, this product has a watery consistency, yet manages to rub in and leave your hands feeling hydrated.

Similar to an eyedropper, you splash a small amount of the lotion onto your hands, so it’s not the most natural thing to apply, but you only need to use a small amount. A lot of guys can attest that the smell is something you’ll have to get used to if you plan on using this product.


VERDICT

Sensitive, normal, and dry skin types can all benefit from this natural formula.

I love an old-school grooming accessory, and Beauchamp’s hand lotion is just that. This product efficiently wraps up my list of the best hand creams for men.



RELATED POSTS

The post 5 Best Hand Creams for Men – for Soft, Silky & Healthy Hands appeared first on Guide To Manly Looks & Life.