Women's Health may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we believe in. I’ll be the first to admit it: I spend a copious amount of money on spa treatments and refining my at-home skincare routine. From my $78 Isdin sunscreen and Paula’s Choice Exfoliant to biweekly facials, my focus has always been on achieving clear, wrinkle-free skin without injections.
But after chatting with double board-certified dermatologist Serena Mraz, MD, I realized that I’ve been neglecting my hands for far too long. As a New Yorker, I take the subway several times a day for work, events, and to meet up with friends. I’m also a germaphobe and rely on hand sanitizer or harsh soap in office and restaurant bathrooms after riding the train.
As a result, my hands are inevitably dry, dull, and rough. That's not exactly the look I’m going for as our beauty editor. It also doesn’t help that Dr.
Mraz says cumulative sun damage, including dark spots and wrinkles, is one of the biggest culprits in showing my age. Wait, what do you mean my age didn’t pause during the pandemic? I’ve noticed that investing in my favorites lets me reapply less frequently and use a smaller amount of product, ultimately trimming my cost per use.
It’s beauty math, ladies! Creams, such as L'Occitane and Beau Domaine, are the thickest and most nourishing type of hand care products. Mraz is a fan of creams because they’re packed with more lipids than water, which helps deliver the best moisture.
The downside is that they take longer to rub into your hands and across larger areas like your arms. Ointments, such as Aquaphor and Vaseline, are versatile, fragrance-free moisturizers that relieve dryness without causing irritation, says dermatologist and clinical professor of dermatology Gary Goldenberg, MD. They’re made with petrolatum to keep your skin moist, which helps prevent wounds from drying out and forming a scab.
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