Keep Palms and Cuticles Baby Soft With These Top Retinol Hand Creams

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Unlike the skin on our faces—which is often treated to serums, face masks, and more forms of care—the skin on our hands is usually regarded as an afterthought.

The good news for your palms and cuticles? Many effective ingredients found in top facial products are also found in body care, making it easy to transform the way the rest of your skin looks and feels—including the best retinol hand creams. While you could use face retinol on your hands, experts note that body skin is slightly more resilient and can withstand slightly higher concentrations of the ingredient, like those found in these kinds of hand cream formulas.

“The skin on your hands is generally thicker and more resilient than the skin on your face, which is more sensitive and delicate,” Kautilya Shaurya, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group, explains to Bazaar. “As a result, retinol face creams are typically formulated to be more moisturizing and might contain a slightly lower concentration of retinol to minimize the risk of irritation.” Retinol hand creams may include additional ingredients, like colloidal oatmeal or niacinamide, to target issues like redness, uneven tone, and dullness, which are more common concerns for the hands.

To help round out your body care routine, we asked experts for their thoughts on the best retinol hand creams to lock in hydration and boost softness. These coveted picks, like Soft Services’ viral Theraplush treatment and Nécessaire’s editor-loved retinol, deserve a place in your rotation.

Theraplush Overnight Repair Treatment

Soft Services’ overnight Theraplush treatment is as comforting and cushiony as it sounds. While its formula is intensive enough to even out dark spots and smooth rough cuticles, soothing colloidal oatmeal works overtime to combat skin irritation. And as a bonus, its airless pump case nicely happens to be refillable.

One satisfied shopper writes: “I’ve only been using this product for a few weeks and see a difference already. I’m 60 years old and produce food videos so I’m very conscious of the appearance of my ‘mature’ hands. Theraplush has absolutely enhanced the overall smoothness and texture; so impressed with this lovely cream!” —Sheri

The Hand Retinol

Nécessaire’s nourishing hand cream and encapsulated hand retinol—which releases slowly over time—is a hit among Bazaar editors for its skin-smoothing and fine-line-reducing benefits. Star ingredients like niacinamide help minimize discoloration while alpha hydroxy acids (or AHAs) exfoliate dead skin cells for supreme softness.

One beauty expert says: “Both the hand cream and the serum are so chic, so easy to use, and—most importantly—so effective. After testing these (with the baseline being never ever using any kind of hand moisturizer), I noticed a dramatic increase in the skin quality and plumpness of my hands. Even my cuticles and nails look less scraggly.” —Jenna Rosenstein, beauty director

Retinol Hand Cream

Chantecaille’s retinol hand cream uses encapsulated retinol to smooth skin, Chilean tree bark to minimize discoloration, plus saccharine isomerate to attract water in the air for long-lasting moisture well after it's applied. The rich cream also contains a blend of rose and vitamin C for even more of a brightening and nourishing effect on your hands.

One satisfied customer writes: “Since our hands reveal our age as much as our face, I tend to spend a fair amount on hand creams. Like all Chantecaille products, this hand cream is amazing. The Retinol evens out skin tone and keeps wrinkles at bay, and the lovely rosewater-base scent is unobtrusive and pleasant.” —WendyNYC

Dermal Defense Hand Cream

From the effects of frequent hand washing to common environmental stressors like UV light and air pollution, this bakuchiol-based cream conditions hands through it all. Along with the beloved retinol alternative, its formula uses a blend of vitamins, marine extracts, and niacinamide to brighten and nourish skin in need.

Retinol Anti-Aging Hand Cream

Nearly 6,000 Amazon shoppers swear by the nongreasy feel of this beloved hand cream. In addition to retinol, it also contains antioxidant-rich green tea to keep effects from environmental stressors at bay, along with vitamins A, C, and E to brighten and nourish dry skin.

One satisfied customer writes: “This will be the only hand cream I will ever use from now on! Just after the first application my hands looked and feel so much better. It’s been a week now of using it just twice a day and I notice smoother skin.” —Anonymous

ReNu Corrective Hand Complex

This popular retinol hand cream uses a brightening trifecta of azelaic acid, licorice root extract, and vitamin C to even the skin’s tone. It also contains moisturizing vitamin E and nourishing cucumber extract to help minimize irritation.

One satisfied customer writes: “Not a hand lotion; it’s a treatment and I love it. Though I have thin skin on my hands which gives away my age I do not have dark spots or dry wrinkles. My esthetician suggested ReNu and now I am completely hooked. Within days I noticed a difference!” — Vivian S.

FirmaSmooth Retinoid Hand Mask

While it’s technically a hand mask, this retinol treatment seamlessly hydrates palms and cuticles as you sleep. And since it’s packed with vitamins and fatty acids, the mask not only moisturizes skin as you snooze, but also improves its texture.

One satisfied customer writes: “I have been using this for a week and the results are amazing! Not only has the hand mask improved my hands I’ve been using on my arms and the skin is tighter and smoother, I cannot believe the results, incredible!” — Jillian D.

Age Renew Retinol Overnight Body & Face Lotion

Here’s a multitasking retinol cream that works for both your face and hands. Its formula aims to keep skin hydrated for up to 24 hours, thanks to ingredients like shea and cocoa butter that quickly absorb and don’t leave a greasy residue behind.

One satisfied customer writes: “More people need to know about this brand. It’s a cost-effective brand, that really does what it promises. I have very dry skin, and it helps to moisturize my skin without making it feel pasty. It’s easy to apply and a little goes a long way.” —Tatiane C.

Skin-Renewing Retinol Body Lotion

If you don’t exactly consider yourself a hand cream person, consider this all-over body lotion from the experts at Naturium. Along with soothing allantoin, its formula also uses an encapsulated and stabilized retinol complex to reduce redness and irritation.

One satisfied customer writes: “I absolutely love using this on my arms and hands. It feels amazing and incredibly rich. Naturium has really outdone themselves with this product.” —Momentum

Retinol24 Smoothing Body Lotion

Another of our favorite retinol body lotions, this one from Olay uses vitamin B₃ to provide long-lasting hydration and help skin retain moisture for up to 24 hours. And in addition to minimizing dryness, the popular lotion also aims to make your skin smoother after a week of consistent use.

One satisfied customer writes: “This is my go-to for daily moisturizing. It’s silky smooth, smells great but not overpowering, and isn’t greasy. It’s a great price too considering you get this huge container. I love how smooth the pumping mechanism is too. Lasts a long time on the skin and you can tell it’s high quality. I absolutely recommend it!” —Sergiu A.

Meet the experts

• Dr. Kautilya Shaurya, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist with Schweiger Dermatology Group based in New York City.

• Dr. Saami Khalifian is a board-certified dermatologist with SOM Aesthetics based in Encinitas, California.

What is retinol and how does it work?

Retinol is a vitamin A derivative. It is most commonly used to help skin shed old cells, allowing younger, healthier cells to be produced. “This process helps to smooth the skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin tone, and diminish hyperpigmentation,” Shaurya explains. “Retinol also stimulates collagen production, which can lead to firmer, more youthful-looking skin over time. A prescription retinoic acid is usually superior to a retinol and should be used when tolerated.”

What are the benefits of using retinol on the hands?

Board-certified dermatologist Saami Khalifian says using retinol on your hands can offer several benefits. Along with improving skin hydration and texture, retinol can also help reduce wrinkles and fine lines, as well as diminishing age spots and hyperpigmentation.

Are there any downsides to using retinol on your hands?

Depending on your skin’s sensitivity level, you may experience the following while using one of the best retinol hand creams:

• Irritation: Using retinol can sometimes encourage skin dryness, redness, and irritation, which is why Khalifian recommends starting with a formula that contains a lower concentration of the ingredient. He also suggests starting slow when incorporating the staple into your regular body care routine. “Starting at a lesser frequency—like every other night—and building up is advisable,” he says.

• Sun sensitivity: Just like applying the ingredient to your face, using retinol on your hands can make them more sensitive to the sun. Using sunscreen is essential regularly, but especially when using retinol. “One big downside [to retinol hand creams] is that people often overlook applying SPF to their hands,” Shaurya says. “Not applying sunscreen is literally working against yourself, as it increases the risk of sun damage, which can negate the benefits of using retinol.”

Shop more Bazaar-approved retinol favorites

• The Best Retinol Serums, Ranked by Dermatologists

• The Best Retinol Creams Worth Adding to Your Skin Care Routine

• The Best Retinol Eye Creams Worth Adding to Your Regimen

• The Best Retinol Products to Combat Breakouts

• This New Retinol Body Serum Is What Soft Skin Dreams Are Made Of

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For more than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, hair care, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.

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