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The 11 best hand creams for winter to heal dry and chapped skin starting from just £2
These are the formulas Cosmo editors keep handy (sorry, had to) at all times
We use our hands more than any part of our body, and for just about everything. Working out, typing, cooking, washing, you name it. And they're also one of the first areas to show signs of dryness and ageing in the form of discolouration, wrinkles, and brittle nails. Yet while we lather our faces in skincare heroes like serums and moisturisers, our hands tend to get completely overlooked—that's where a solid hand cream comes in...
Hand creams are one of the easiest preventative measures you can take to keep hands soft, nourished, and protected from both signs of ageing and winter dryness. The best formulas include MVP ingredients like humectants, emollients, and antioxidants, and they should not leave behind a sticky or oily residue. As seasoned beauty editors who’ve tried countless hand creams (and survived plenty of brutal NYC winters), the Cosmo team knows a good hand cream when we try one—and yes, some are way better than others.
Our top picks for the best hand creams in 2026:
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Keep reading for the full breakdown of the best hand creams, according to editor testing, that keep dryness at bay and help fight signs of aging while they’re at it.
One Cosmo editor says: When you think about the most iconic beauty products of all time, you can’t do so without L'Occitane's hand cream in the mix. It’s got tons of shea butter and coconut oil to keep your hands nice and moisturised, and the aluminuim packaging looks super chic even when it’s whittled down to nothing after squeezing out every last drop." —JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Shea butter, coconut oil, vitamin E |
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One Cosmo editor says: “If you want a hand cream that doesn’t leave your hands feeling greasy or oily but still delivers serious moisturising and anti-aging benefits, this formula from Nécessaire is loaded with ceramides, peptides, and marula extract. And it's fragrance-free, so it won’t clash with your perfume or irritate sensitive skin." —JH
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Peptides, ceramides, niacinamide, marula butter |
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One Cosmo editor says: "There's nothing chicer than whipping out this Prada cream to moisturise your hands midday. It's super hydrating but not heavy, and smooths cracked skin and ragged cuticles in seconds. Also, the packaging is really sturdy—it'll never leak or spill in your bag." —LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Shea butter, niacinamide, biotin |
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One Cosmo editor says: "Every makeup artist swears by this ultra-rich cream as a primer under makeup, but I actually think it's the perfect hand cream. It's thick and slightly greasy—but in a good way. That's what makes it so moisturising for hours on end. And the herbal smell is the best too." —LB
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Calendula, chamomile, rosemary extract |
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One Cosmo editor says: "Don't underestimate the powers of this classic hand cream. It's cheap and cheerful and thoroughly moisturises the hands. It sinks in really well so you aren't left with that sticky feeling that immediately puts me off a hand cream. It's a true classic." – KEEKS REID, BEAUTY DIRECTOR
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Almond oil and shea butter |
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One Cosmo editor says: “This may just be one of my favourite Drunk Elephant products. It makes my perpetually dry, cracked hands ultra-smooth thanks to marula butter, but it’s not greasy or slimy like a lot of hand creams I’ve used in the past.”—LB
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Marula butter, shea butter, oat extract |
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One Cosmo editor says: "This has the feel of a lightweight moisturiser, but the hydration of a heavy duty hand cream. I love that the cap is super easy to flip on and off, especially if your hands are still absorbing the formula. I have one of these in my work bag at all times, and the packaging is super thin so you can slide it into any pocket. I especially love the Glossier You scent, which smells like the iconic perfume, obviously."—JH
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Coconut extract, glycerin, oat protein, vitamin E |
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One Cosmo editor says: "If you suffer from hang nails, broken cuticles, or whatever else finger dryness might entail, this multitasking cream is ideal for your overall hand health and cuticle hydration. I first picked it up in a French pharmacy this summer, and was thrilled to find out it's also sold stateside."—JH
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Grape seed oil, shea butter, avocado oil, vitamin E |
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One Cosmo editor says: "The Koba body care range is GOATED (pick up their foot cream too while you'll shopping) and this hand care is no exception. The scent is gentle and the texture is velvety. I love how soothing it s and again it sinks in well. The metal tube is the cherry on top, luxe but travel-friendly."—KR
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Safou Oil, Shea Butter, Sweet Almond Oil, Ricin Oil, Niacinamide |
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One Cosmo editor says: "Byredo makes some of my favourite scents in the world, and their iconic Gypsy Water fragrance also comes in a moisturising hand cream. You can pair it with the perfume for an amplified sillage, or with a completely different fragrance for a scent layering moment. The tin packaging is super chic, and I have one of these sitting at my work desk at all times."—JH
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Shea butter, glycerin |
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Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmopolitan who writes about all things skincare and bodycare. For this story, she along with Cosmo's beauty team have been testing dozens of hand creams for months, especially in the peak of winter, find the best ones best on hydration, scent, ease of use, and packaging.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
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