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.

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.

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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.

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 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.

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:

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.

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

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.

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.

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.