15 best hand creams to get your skin through the winter

Hear me out: having one of the best hand creams by your side is essential during the colder months. When the cold is kicking in at its hardest, our skin has a tendency to lose its natural moisture, no matter your skin type. And as someone who has extremely dry skin, I've grown used to keeping my favourite hand cream in close proximity at all times. If I don't, my hands will be practically begging me for that TLC.

Sure, you've got your other skincare products sorted – including moisturisers, cleansers, body lotions and serums – but considering the sheer amount of times that you should be re-applying hand cream throughout the day, we'd argue that having one in your purse is absolutely non-negotiable.

Why? Let's start with the fact that the skin on our hands is more prone to dry out more than on other parts of our bodies. And when you add the element of hand-washing, sanitising, wind and other external factors, you're left with dry, cracked hands that are desperately in need of nourishment.

Best hand creams at a glance:

1. Best hand cream overall: Glossier Hand Cream, £20, Glossier
2. Best hydrating hand cream: Rare Beauty Find Comfort Hydrating Hand Cream, £18, Space NK
3. Best-smelling hand cream: Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm, £25, Cult Beauty
4. Best vegan hand cream: OUAI Hand Crème, £22, Cult Beauty

Glossier Hand Cream

£20 at Glossier

Rare Beauty Find Comfort Hydrating Hand Cream

£18 at Space NK

£18 at Sephora

Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm

£25 at Cult Beauty

£25 at LookFantastic

OUAI Hand Crème

£22 at Cult Beauty

£22 at Amazon

Called upon to alleviate sore skin and provide much-needed hydration, hand creams have stepped up to plate, providing quick and long-term relief. Thanks to the included ceramides, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, aloe vera and emollients such as avocado oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil and more, your hands will go from desert-dry to silky-smooth almost instantly. The best part? Thanks to brands like Glossier, Rare Beauty, La Roche-Posay and Eucerin, there's no shortage of options. You've got lightweight creams, those that are provide lasting moisture, as well as those that help with eczema outbreaks and other skin conditions.

So, whether you're after a non-greasy, super-hydrating or beautifully-scented hand cream, we've picked out everything from the hand creams approved by dermatologists to ultra luxe hand balms that could double up as your favourite fragrance.

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How to keep hands healthy:

First, you want to make sure you're completely drying your hands each time you wash them. Hands that drip-dry are likely to become more parched as the water evaporates off them.

Next, choose a thoroughly nourishing hand cream to help keep the skin plump, smooth and hydrated. Use it every single time you wash your hands to add the moisture back in. If your hands are feeling sensitive, it's best to opt for a fragrance-free option. If on the other hand, your hands are still pretty hardy, you can enjoy a statement scent.

Looking to stock up on more skincare and bodycare products? Check out our guides for the best shower gels and body washes, best face exfoliators, best body scrubs, best bath oils, best moisturisers and the best sunscreens.

For more makeup, skincare, haircare, fragrance and wellness content from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, follow her on Twitter @deniseprimbet and Instagram @deniseprimbet.

Check out all the best hand creams to add to your checkout now...