Handcare Essentials: The Best Hand Creams, Lotions and Hand Washes 2024

Fortune tellers will say that you can’t change the fate of your hands. But we do know that the best moisturising hand creams, a dose of retinol hand serum, and the most luxurious hand soaps, will rescue our hands from perpetually dry, sensitive and cracked skin. 

As the delicate skin on our hands often reveals the first signs of ageing, a proper handcare routine is essential for nourishing our hands with a daily blend of care, comfort and a touch of luxury. Whether you are on the lookout for natural hand care solutions, an anti-wrinkle hand cream or an ultra-hydrating hand lotion, this is your guide to a guaranteed future of divinely soft, youthful, and well-cared-for hands. No clairvoyants or crystal balls needed!

And if you have a friend in mind who could use a few moments of self-care and relaxation each day, these effective hand care collections will make for thoughtful and treasured gifts.    

Neal’s Yard Remedies - Experience Botanical Bliss with the English Lavender and Calendula Collection

Neal's Yard Remedies, a British heritage brand and pioneer in organic skincare and wellness products, has always been about blending nature's purest ingredients with holistic well-being. Their latest collaboration with luxury wallpaper designer Morris & Co. is no exception, and is truly something we have to wax lyrical about. 

We love how this English Lavender & Calendula hand care collection of hand cream, hand wash and hand lotion, is an ode to traditional English gardens and the artisanal crafts movement. The series features the iconic 1882 'Blackthorn' print by William Morris on each product label to complement the trusted natural formulations by Neal's Yard Remedies. Infused with the soothing scents of natural lavender and calendula, the luxury range promises a sensory escape to a blooming countryside with each and every use. 

The luxurious English Lavender & Calendula Hand Cream, especially, envelops your hands in a rich blend that contains Brazil nut oil, to intensely nourish your skin, nails, and cuticles, ensuring deep, long-lasting moisture. For the perfect sink-side ritual, start with the soothing hand wash that cleanses while being gentle on the skin, and leaves a delicate scent of lavender that calms the mind. Follow that with the English Lavender & Calendula Hand Lotion that has a lightweight formula which absorbs quickly and conditions your hands without any greasiness. 

And did we already mention that this beautiful packaging features the timeless botanical designs of William Morris, making each product not just a hand care essential but a piece of decorative art? These make perfect gifts as well, offering a touch of luxury and well-being to those closest to your heart. 

With a commitment to environmentally friendly practices and beautifully crafted formulas, Neal's Yard Remedies continues to lead the way in eco-luxury skincare, and this collaboration is a testament to their ethos of beauty, sustainability, and artistry.

Available at Neal’s Yard Remedies. 

L'Occitane en Provence - Heavenly Shea Butter Hand Care 

L'Occitane's hand creams are a real treat for your hands, and it is no wonder they are best-sellers! The Shea Butter Hand Cream is a fan favourite, packed with 20% organic shea butter, plus honey, almond extracts, and coconut oil to give your hands some serious hydration and softness. If you are looking for something a bit lighter but still super nourishing, the Almond Delicious Hands cream is perfect with its sweet almond milk and oil that make your hands feel silky smooth. Let's not forget their Cherry Blossom Hand Cream, which not only moisturises but also leaves a lovely, light fragrance. These creams don't just pamper your skin—they transport you straight to the beautiful fields of Provence.

Complement with their equally refreshing liquid hand washes; the Verbena collection is an all-time favourite with its light, citrusy fragrance. Each product by L'Occitane encapsulates the brand's philosophy of natural beauty and the Provençal art-de-vivre, making thier hand care line a coveted staple for all skincare lovers. 

Available at L’Occitane stores and online.

THANN - For Aromatherapy-based Rejuvenation

Founded in Thailand, Thann is a renowned brand for natural, lab-proven premium skincare offerings that encapsulate the essence of nature for radiant and healthy skin. We think their aromatherapy-based collections and treatments open up a world of tranquillity and rejuvenation that is exactly what busy urbanites need. 

For hand care, Thann's Aromatic Wood collection is a great option for affordable luxury. The Aromatic Wood Aromatherapy Hand Wash leaves hands purified and invigorated, while the Aromatic Wood Hand Lotion provides lightweight hydration for a silky-smooth touch. For intense nourishment, the Aromatic Wood Hand Cream, featuring organic rose water, coconut oil, and argan oil, deeply moisturizes for lasting softness. 

Available at Thann.

Rituals - For Ancient Asian Healing and Self-Care

Rituals is a brand that invites you to transform your daily self-care routine into meaningful, soulful rituals to achieve a feeling of rejuvenation and balance. As the brand name suggests, Rituals products are steeped in ancient holistic traditions like Ayurveda, Karma and the healing power of botanical ingredients.  

We especially love the Ritual of Karma Hand Lotion, a nourishing elixir that leaves hands feeling silky and blessed. For exfoliation and resurfacing skin, try The Ritual of Ayurveda Hand Scrub which will gently bring your hands back to vitality. For those seeking deep restoration, The Ritual of Jing Hand Mask is a soothing balm for rough, dry hands, infused with the calming scents of sandalwood and lavender, composed of 98% natural origin ingredients. With Rituals, each product is a testament to the brand’s philosophy of elevating daily practices into moments of tranquillity and self-care.

Available at Rituals. 

Jo Malone London - Indulgent Hand Treatments 

The embodiment of city style, Jo Malone London crafts exquisite scents that reflect the essence of urban sophistication. The brand’s extraordinary library of scent families ranges from citrus to woody, from musky to floral, from exotic to sensual – curating a unique palette for personal expression that has captured the imaginations of loyal fans. 

Among Jo Malone’s hand care offerings,  the Vitamin E Nourishing Hand Treatment stands out for its conditioning benefits and a delightful fragrance that hints of pomelo and cassis. We also like the Lime Basil & Mandarin Hand Wash as a zesty, aromatic cleanser, while the Peony & Blush Suede Hand Cream hydrates and softens, gliding onto your hands with a flirtatious floral blend. 

Available at Jo Malone.

Fresh - Best Selling Hand Care for Recovery & Repair 

If your hand care regimen could use a touch of herbal and floral enchantment, Fresh is the beauty brand for you. Their skincare and beauty collections appeal most to those who enjoy products that feel as good as they smell. 

From their hand care line, we recommend the Hesperides Grapefruit Hand and Body Wash for a refreshing daily cleanser that invigorates the senses with its zesty citrus scent and purifies without over-drying. For hydration that lasts, the Fresh Rose Hand Cream is a deeply moisturising formula enriched with nourishing rosewater, while the Citron de Vigne Hand Cream provides a lightweight yet rich texture for silky smooth skin recovery. 

Available at Fresh boutiques, online, and at selected retailers including Takashimaya and Sephora. 

Sabon - For A Therapeutic Blend of Luxury and Natural Ingredients 

Founded in 1997 as an independent soap boutique, Sabon has since expanded to become an international beauty brand known for its enchanting fusion of luxury and nature. Its dedication to fine craftsmanship, a philosophy upheld since the brand’s first days, continues to show up in its premium, therapy-based formulations. 

For everyday elegance and a richly hydrating experience, try the Patchouli Lavender Vanilla Butter Hand Cream that has a light, soothing scent. We also enjoyed the convenient-to-use Delicate Jasmine Refresh Hand Mist for a floral-scented spritz and wash-free cleanse while out and about. This vegan formula not only kills germs, but it is also infused with aloe vera extract to boost hydration. But our top pick from Sabon is the Pamper Your Hands Kit - a complete package of two divine hand cream scents, a nourishing nail and cuticle oil, and a gorgeous handy nail file. 

Available at Sabon. 

Aesop - For Science-backed Skin Health that Works Wonders 

A quiet luxury staple that evolved from humble beginnings in Melbourne in 1987, cult favourite brand Aesop is the choice of discerning consumers for top quality, science-backed skincare that gets rave reviews worldwide. The brand's philosophy is deeply rooted in creating products that not only nourish the skin but also engage the senses, offering therapeutic benefits through carefully selected botanical ingredients.

Their best-selling hand care range is a testament to this. The Resurrection Hand Care Duo is a beloved pairing that encapsulates the brand's approach to skin health. The Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash, with its blend of Orange, Rosemary, and Lavender oils, cleanses hands gently yet thoroughly, while the Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm saturates the skin with hydrating botanicals and skin-softening emollients for smooth, supple hands. While the brand might be somewhat over-exposed, we remain fans because Aesop’s allure lies in the undeniable excellence of its products (and not its clever marketing). 

Available online at Aesop and at Aesop boutiques islandwide. 

Nécessaire - Fragrance-Free and Formulated for Sensitive Skin

When it comes to an essentials-only approach to skincare, we are all for Nécessaire and its focus on clean, high-quality ingredients that deliver effective results. Its philosophy is grounded in sustainability, health, and the idea that skincare is self-care. 

If you are looking for skin care products for sensitive, eczema-prone skin, we recommend a star of the brand’s hand care lineup - the Nécessaire Hand Cream with Peptide. This meticulous formula supports skin elasticity and boosts firmness with the inclusion of amino acids (peptides) that are powerful for repairing daily wear and tear on the skin. We agree; this is necessary!

Available at Amazon

Ouai - Embrace Beauty Products that Work for Real Life

This is one inclusive, cruelty-free beauty brand that has won us over with its luxurious, yet approachable outlook of “beauty that works for real life". Ouai blends practicality with a pampering experience, catering to those of us seeking effortless style and self-care that is also committed to goodness for the planet. 

The Ouai Hand Crème, a star in their hand care lineup, is a thick and creamy balm that deeply moisturises without leaving a greasy residue. Infused with coconut oil and rich shea and murumuru butters, this hand crème imparts the brand’s signature Rue St. Honoré scent brimming with notes of Violet, Gardenia, and White Musk.

As all of Ouai’s formulations are free from the litany of skin irritants such as SLS, SLES, parabens, phthalates, gluten, and mineral oil, this is one brand you can trust for even your most delicate hand care needs. 

Available at Sephora