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10 Best Hand Creams in the Philippines 2023 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Dermatologist
Moisturizing our hands with hand cream has never been so important now that we have to wash our hands frequently. The constant exposure to water, soap, and alcohol or sanitizer can take its toll and make our skin extremely dry. With the right kind of hand cream, you can restore your skin's natural moisture barrier and soothe roughness and dryness.
That's why it's important to know how to choose the best hand cream that's right for you. We've prepared a buying guide, with some comments and tips from dermatologist Dr. Katrina Erika Habaluyas Luz, to show you the factors to consider when choosing hand creams. We've also rounded up the top 10 best hand creams available online. With this article, we hope that you'll soon find your way back to having soft and gentle hands.
Dr. Katrina Habaluyas Luz is the face behind Ask Your Derma. She is a board-certified dermatologist in Metro Manila. She is also an educator and digital creator on all things skin, hair, and nails. She is a Diplomate of the Philippine Dermatological Society and offers online video consultations. You can also catch her on her Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube channel.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
Benefits of Hand Creams
The skin on our hands is very sensitive to water, the products we use when washing, and other environmental changes. Moisturizing our hands may seem like a no-brainer, but many people still neglect to do this.
However, it is essential to keep our hands moisturized, not just to keep them soft but to avoid the development of deeper skin problems. When our skin is stripped of its natural protective oils, it can lead to skin conditions like acne, rashes, eczema, and more.
Moisturizing is also a way to cover up skin blemishes. Since hand creams tend to leave our skin with a slight sheen, it tends to even out uneven skin tones. The motions we use when moisturizing also help stimulate blood circulation and the growth of new skin cells.
With our constant handwashing and alcoholizing pre-pandemic, and all the more now during the pandemic, our hands may be getting the brunt of it. Dry, irritated hands may not only be irritating but may also affect our performing day-to-day activities. This is where hand creams come in.
The regular use of hand cream after washing hands can significantly improve skin hydration and skin roughness, not to mention helps maintain an intact skin barrier.
How to Choose a Hand Cream – Buying Guide
Here are some key points to consider:
- Choose the right type of moisturizer depending on your needs.
- Look for extra ingredients suitable for your skin concerns.
- Ask your dermatologist for advice.
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
① Choose the Right Type of Moisturizer Depending on Your Needs
Ingredients in hand creams, just like in lotions or face moisturizers, fall into three main categories: humectants, emollients, and occlusives. While it's fine to choose one exclusively made of any of these categories, a good hand cream would have components from all of these three types.
Humectants Draws Moisture from the Environment and Makes the Skin Feels Smooth
Product labels don't typically indicate the word "humectant," so keep in mind that humectants are actually found in ingredients like urea, glycerin, honey, aloe vera, and more.
Anti-aging components such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and alpha-hydroxy acids are also examples of humectants. If you see these ingredients on the label, it is safe to assume that the product has humectants in it.
Humectants are ingredients with high water absorption capabilities - attracting water from the environment into the skin to keep the skin hydrated. Think of a sponge! Look for ingredients such as glycerin, sorbitol, sodium hyaluronate, urea, alpha-hydroxy acids, and sugars.
Emollients for Healing Dry and Chapped Hands
Examples of emollients are rich oils, butters, aloe vera, and colloidal oatmeal. These ingredients can spread evenly over the skin and relieve dry hands. The vitamins and minerals present in them, particularly Vitamin E, help heal itchy and chapped hands.
Emollients are substances that lock water into the skin. They fill the empty spaces between skin cells to create a smooth surface, making the skin reflect light better and impart immediate visible improvement.
Many emollients have barrier repair, humectant, and occlusive properties, as well as smoothing emollient properties. Look for ingredients such as ceramides, silicones (dimethicone), shea butter, and plant oils. Emollients are nice as they are generally lightweight.
Occlusives for Keeping Moisture In
The word "occlusive" can make you think of barriers right away. This is precisely what occlusives in hand creams doーthey provide a physical barrier to keep moisture in your skin from evaporating into the air. Occlusive agents are quite heavy and include substances like waxes, certain types of oils, lanolin, silicone, and petrolatum.
When applied, occlusives feel thick and heavy on the skin. This type of hand cream is best for people with dehydrated skin or who wash really frequently. A product with occlusive agents can promote water retention and help keep your skin supple for a more extended period of time.
Occlusives contain lipids and coat the surface of the skin. Compared to emollients, occlusives are a lot thicker and can feel a bit heavier. This is because occlusives sit on top of the skin's surface to prevent any water from evaporating from the skin. Ingredients with the highest occlusive properties are petrolatum and oils.
If you don't like the greasy feeling of petrolatum, other commonly used occlusive ingredients include paraffin, squalene, dimethicone, soybean oil, grapeseed oil, propylene glycol, lanolin, and beeswax. Remember though. These agents are only effective while present on the skin; once removed, the transepidermal water loss goes back to its previous state.
② Look for Extra Ingredients Suitable for Your Skin Concerns
While hand creams are generally designed to target dryness, some may go the extra mile by adding ingredients with more benefits. For instance, there are creams that contain collagen, green tea, and fruit and botanical extracts that are packed with antioxidants to improve skin tone and prevent skin aging.
Others might include ingredients like urea and allantoin to promote skin healing and ward off infections. Make sure to read the label and see if there are any components that could address your specific concerns.
The choice of a hand cream would depend on your skin type, skin concerns, the current climate, fragrance, and your preference for the feel and consistency.
③ Ask Your Dermatologist for Advice
If you have sensitive skin or allergies to fragrances or substances, it is always wise to seek advice from your dermatologist first. Dermatologists know best what products are safe for people with such sensitivities and can recommend one that would be a good match for you.
Because of repetitive and frequent hand washing, it's possible that you may be suffering from more than just dry hands. It's possible that your hands may experience redness, itching, burning, or scaling.
This could mean that your hands are suffering from a number of things: irritant or allergic contact dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, fungal infection, among others. Thus, if your hands aren't improving with your hand cream, it would be best to consult your board-certified dermatologist of choice to help identify your condition, what is causing it, and the best approach to treating it.
10 Best Hand Creams to Buy Online
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | CeraVe Reparative Hand Cream | | Ceramides for Extreme Dryness Relief | |
2 | Neutrogena Fragrance-Free Hand Cream | | A Family-Friendly Hand Cream | |
3 | O'Keeffe's Working Hands Hand Cream | | Moisturizing Hand Cream to Combat Dry Skin and Calluses | |
4 | Eucerin Advanced Repair Hand Creme | | Fast Absorbing Cream to Repair Dry, Cracked Hands | |
5 | L'Occitane Néroli & Orchidée Hand Cream | | Deliciously Smooth Blend of Néroli & Orchid | |
6 | Burt's Bees Lavender & Honey Hand Cream | | A Luxurious Botanical Blend for Long-Lasting Hydration | |
7 | Nature Republic Hand & Nature Grapefruit Cream | | Fresh and Fruity Moisturizing Cream for All Skin Types | |
8 | Human Nature Natural Hand & Foot Salve | | Naturally Rich Infusion of 12 Nutrients and Antioxidants | |
9 | The Body Shop Fuji Green Tea Hand Cream | | Prevent Skin Aging With Green Tea | |
10 | 3W Clinic Collagen Hand Cream | | A Dose of Collagen for Aging Skin |
CeraVeReparative Hand Cream
Ceramides for Extreme Dryness Relief
Furthermore, it is fragrance-free, making it a perfect option for people with sensitive skin and allergies, especially those with atopic dermatitis. In fact, this hand cream has the quality seal of approval from the National Eczema Association. Many users also loved that despite being thick, it remains non-greasy.
NeutrogenaFragrance-Free Hand Cream
A Family-Friendly Hand Cream
This product is highly concentratedーjust a dab goes a long way, plus it feels more like an ointment than a cream. You'll also love that it is gentle enough for use by people with allergies or sensitive skin. It is also unscented, which is another plus for people with allergies.
Another best feature of this product is that it's safe for use for babies, with some moms using the product to address cradle caps and rashes in their newborns. Some users even go so far as to use it as a lip balm because of its intense hydrating properties!
O'Keeffe'sWorking Hands Hand Cream
Moisturizing Hand Cream to Combat Dry Skin and Calluses
O'Keeffe's Working Hands is an exceptional hand cream formulated to heal, relieve, and repair severely dry and cracked hands. It has a concentrated formula that creates a protective barrier on the skin's surface to lock in moisture and keep your skin hydrated.
This cream is also a favorite among users because of its ability to combat calluses all while maintaining a non-greasy texture. What's even greater about it is that it is also fragrance-free and suitable for all skin types!
EucerinAdvanced Repair Hand Creme
Fast Absorbing Cream to Repair Dry, Cracked Hands
It is further enriched with alpha hydroxy for gentle exfoliation, so it's ideal even for those with rough, flaky, and scaly hands. It is also fragrance-free and dye-free, making it suitable for daily use. While many users have hailed its effectiveness, a few have observed that it can feel slightly greasy.
L'OccitaneNéroli & Orchidée Hand Cream
Deliciously Smooth Blend of Néroli & Orchid
The néroli oil, also known as orange blossom oil, gives it a rich floral scent with citrusy overtones. Some users say that the lovely smell is enough that they no longer feel the need to use other perfumes. This is great for people who enjoy light scentsーjust spread all over your hands, and you'll be smelling good all day long!
Burt's BeesLavender & Honey Hand Cream
A Luxurious Botanical Blend for Long-Lasting Hydration
Burt's Bees has come up with another great product that is effective in fighting dry skin. With a concoction of shea butter and pumpkin seed oil, it is quite a rich formulation that attacks dryness issues right away. It also has a lovely lavender and honey scent for that spa-like feeling.
Users say that the product feels slightly greasy upon application, but the moisturizing and softening effects are long-lasting and can withstand handwashing. Another plus is that it comes in an aluminum tube that is much more recyclable than the plastic tubes that most hand creams come in.
Nature RepublicHand & Nature Grapefruit Cream ｜ Pack of 2
Fresh and Fruity Moisturizing Cream for All Skin Types
The natural floral, herbal, and fruity extracts, particularly grapefruit, are good sources of vitamin Cーan ingredient necessary for healing dry and damaged skin. This brand also has other variants you can choose from to give you that warm and cozy spa sensation.
Human NatureNatural Hand & Foot Salve
Naturally Rich Infusion of 12 Nutrients and Antioxidants
If you prefer products that are almost entirely made of natural ingredients, then this hand and foot salve might be the right one for you. With a formulation that is 99.89% natural, this product is infused with a rich concoction of 12 nutrients and antioxidants to pamper dry and cracked skin.
Most notable among these ingredients is eucalyptus, which ensures a soothing and cooling sensation when you use this product - the perfect feeling your stressed skin craves. Meanwhile, the rich oils, like avocado and sunflower oil, provide support to replace the lipids that your skin loses every time you wash.
The Body ShopFuji Green Tea Hand Cream
Prevent Skin Aging With Green Tea
Green tea is popular for its multiple skin and health benefits because it is packed with antioxidants and essential vitamins that are important for your skin's health. We recommend this for people who want to enhance their skin complexion and for older people who want their hands to look younger despite their age.
3W ClinicCollagen Hand Cream
A Dose of Collagen for Aging Skin
It has a light and subtle scent and is absorbed by the skin quickly without stickiness or a greasy feeling. Loyal users attest to its great absorption, with some saying that they were pleasantly surprised to find how moisturizing it is even though it does not feel sticky at all.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Dr. Katrina Luz
Below, Dr. Katrina answers some of the web's most asked questions, so before you hit that check out button, have a read to make sure you make informed decisions!
How Often Should You Apply Hand Cream?
As often as needed! It is a good idea to keep a hand cream by the sink so that you automatically apply hand cream after handwashing. You can also keep a travel-sized hand cream on you so you can apply hand cream while you're on the go!
Where Can You Apply Hand Cream?
In truth, hand creams can be used on other parts of the body. It's basically a moisturizer marketed for your hands. The main difference is most likely the consistency and/or overall texture!
Can You Use Hand Cream on Your Face?
In truth, hand creams are moisturizers marketed for the hands. The main difference from one for the face would be the consistency and/or overall texture. So best to try it out! If it's too heavy and/or irritating, then stick to your face cream for the face.
More Tips From Dr. Katrina Luz
Also, do you have face creams that you didn't like for your face? Well, guess what, you can use it as a hand cream! In that way, zero wastage, healthy hands too!
Be Kind to Your Hands
Since washing and sanitizing our hands over and over seem like habits that are here to stay, then the least we can do is treat our hands kindly by using products that are gentle yet effective. Here are some articles that can help you choose the right kinds of products for that.
Re-editor: R. Umlas
How We Chose and Ranked Our Product Recommendations
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
Top 5 Hand Creams
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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