The Tamesis
For those looking to keep the signs of aging at bay (myself included), the best hand creams for older women aren’t just a nice-to-have, they can also be left on your bedside, handbag, and sink need. And let’s not forget the desk: The writing and reporting of this story required at least three applications of cream to compensate for the dryness and dullness of my hands, which at age 45 have become dry and dull.
Why do hands lose the dew of youth so quickly? “Our hands are constantly exposed to UV rays, environmental stress, and repeated washing,” says Azadeh Shirazi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in California. Add to that the fact that the skin on your hands is thinner, has less collagen, and less fat support than the rest of your body, and a good hand cream becomes an important part of any anti-aging skin care routine.
FashionFavorite hand cream for older women:
For older patients, “I typically recommend hand creams that support the skin barrier, improve hydration, and are elegant enough that patients actually keep using them,” says Shannon Humphrey, MD, founder and medical director of Humphrey & Beleznay Cosmetic Dermatology in Canada.
But which hand cream do experts and patients with the softest skin use? exactly? Ahead, take a look at these five products—selected from drugstore aisles, French pharmacies, and similar well-known brands—by medical experts and Fashion Editors are always within reach.
In this story:
Best paired with retinol: Soft Services Theraplush Night Repair Care
- Why we love it: Soft Services’ Overnight Salve comes in packaging designed for a bedside stand: It pairs a decorative hard shell with a refillable capsule containing a retinol-infused treatment. Because the product is designed to be within reach of a pillow, it’s perfect for nighttime routines—something Dr. Shirazi appreciates. “The best advice for younger-looking hands is to hold on,” she says. Also made from colloidal oatmeal, “this helps fade age spots while deeply moisturizing the skin,” New York-based board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon Howard Sobel, MD, previously told Fashion. What’s more, the product delivers a luxurious sensory experience with a bit of a lingering finish. Chloe Malle, director of editorial content at America Fashiononce described the bedtime staple as “a silky cream that smells like cake batter and leaves my hands sparkling all morning long.” Speaking of scent, the treatment is available in unscented or “Hold” scent, a woody, musky, skin-like scent.
- Editor experience: “I keep a jar of this next to my bed at all times. Part of its appeal is its sculptural appearance, which gives it a ‘showcase’ quality; although I certainly wouldn’t continue using it without the benefits to the skin. Like many of us, I’ve become increasingly conscious of the appearance of my hands, so the fact that it contains retinol is right up my alley.” —Kiana Mulden, Fashion‘s beauty editors, shopping
- Main ingredients: Retinol, Lactic Acid, Colloidal Oatmeal, Panthenol, Polyglutamic Acid
- Best for: Overnight repair, crepe, dryness, roughness
- size: 1.7 oz refill pack
