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Byrdie / David Hattan
You wear sunscreen every day, are loyal to your nightly retinoid, and treat yourself to regular masks—but how’s the skin on your hands? If they’re feeling and looking parched, dull, and cracked, you’re not alone. Many of us neglect this area, which is made even more uncomfortable by frequent hand washing and sanitizing.
Enter: moisturizing gloves. “Moisturizing gloves are a happy marriage between advanced forms of moisturizing ingredients and an optimized delivery system,” explains Dr. Ava Shamban, board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills, California. There are many different types of moisturizing gloves on the market, including simple fabric gloves that can be worn over your favorite hand cream or more technologically-advanced products. To find the best moisturizing gloves, we conducted hours of research, evaluating top-rated picks on their functionality, efficacy, technology, and style. After consulting with a board-certified dermatologist, we narrowed down our picks to land on the following best in show.
Best Overall
Kitsch Moisturizing Spa Gloves
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Amazon
The fingertips feature touchscreen technology, so you can use your devices while you pamper your hands.
These are shockingly stylish for a moisturizing glove.
Matching socks are also available.
They're reusable and machine washable.
The gel isn’t infused with any active ingredients, so you’ll have to get true skincare benefits by layering lotions beneath your gloves.
The team at Kitsch knocked it out of the park with these darling moisturizing gloves. The soft cotton fabric features a cute speckled knit that gives them more of a winter glove vibe, making them perfect for multitasking. Their insulated gel helps prevent moisture from escaping your skin, working to soften away cracks, flakes, and dryness even before you apply a hand cream (which will offer even more intensive nourishment). Our favorite feature, though, is that the fingertips allow you to use touchscreens, so you’re not rendered helpless during your DIY spa treatment—we scrolled through our feeds with ease. We can’t wait to try the coordinating socks next.
Price at time of publish: $18
Active Ingredients: Cotton, gel lining | Benefits: Moisturizing, softening, soothing | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Budget
Earth Therapeutics Aloe Infused Gloves
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Earth Therapeutics
These gloves come in a variety of color options.
The lining is infused with active ingredients, including hydrating aloe.
They're made with a cozy, plush fabric.
Every pair is machine washable,
The gel lining will last 20 washes before you’ll need a new pair.
It’s rare to get your choice of colors when shopping for moisturizing gloves, but Earth Therapeutics offers seven different options, including neutrals like black, tan, and gray as well as fun pastels. The gel interior of these soft gloves is infused with aloe and vitamin E to help condition dry skin—and you’ll get even more benefits if you wear them over your favorite hand cream.
Price at time of publish: $8
Active Ingredients: Aloe vera, vitamin E | Benefits: Moisturizing, nourishing | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Reusable
ManiGlovz Anti-UV/LED Fingerless Gloves
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Amazon
They come in over 50 fun patterns and colors to suit any style.
They're water resistant and odor resistant.
They protect you from dangerous UV exposure
While they offer great stretch, they are on the smaller side and may not fit large hands.
With a rating of UPF 50+, these gloves are designed to protect your hands from the UV exposure you get during a gel manicure. Honestly, though, you’ll find yourself wearing them well beyond your salon visits—you can truly rock them everywhere (they’re great for staving off sun damage while driving)! Beyond preventing dryness caused by the stripping effects of UV, the fabric of some pairs of these gloves are created with aloe vera microcapsules to keep skin extra hydrated.
Price at time of publish: $18
Active Ingredients: Aloe vera | Benefits: UV protection, hydration | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Splurge
Omnilux Contour Glove
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Omnilux
Red light therapy is clinically proven to hydrate and strengthen skin.
Instead of wearing this glove overnight, you only have to wear it for 10 minutes to get results.
It comes with its own charging cable, plug, and carrying case.
You’ll only get one with your purchase, so you’ll have to perform the treatment twice.
You have to use this glove several times a week to achieve the desired outcome.
Sure, this may not be your average moisturizing glove—it’s not super comfy, and it’s pretty high tech! But studies show that red light therapy actually improves skin barrier function, promoting lasting hydration with less transepidermal water loss. Red light also offers impressive anti-aging benefits, including a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles and increased collagen production. While this purchase is a true splurge, you won’t need to repurchase it like you might with a pair of fabric gloves.
Price at time of publish: $345
Active Ingredients: Red and infrared light | Benefits: Anti-aging, improved skin barrier function | Byrdie Clean: Not listed | Cruelty-Free: Not listed
Best for Dry Skin
ZenToes Moisturizing Gloves with Gel Lining
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Amazon
They're affordable and latex free.
They come in a few different color and fabric options.
The gel lining is made with three powerful nourishing ingredients—and you can layer a hand cream on first for extra moisture.
They only come in one size and some reviewers found they didn’t go all the way down to the wrist, which felt unusual.
If your skin is especially dry, reach for these ingredient-packed gloves. The gel lining, which contours nicely to the hand, features jojoba and olive oils to help repair and comfort parched skin. Dr. Shamban recommends wearing these overnight for intensive nourishment. Bonus: They come in multiple fabric textures and color options so you can find the style that suits you best.
Price at time of publish: $13
Active Ingredients: Jojoba seed oil, olive oil, vitamin E | Benefits: Deep moisture | Cruelty-Free: Not listed
Best Drugstore
Burt’s Bees Hand Repair Gift Set
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Amazon
This set contains four hand-repairing goodies for super soft skin.
The ingredients in the formulas are sustainably sourced and naturally derived.
We love how this is the perfect budget-friendly gift,
The products are travel-sized, so you’ll burn through them quickly.
Burt’s Bees is known for its reparative, good-for-skin formulas, and this kit is no exception, which comes recommended by Dr. Shamban. You’ll get a pair of cotton gloves and three different hand nourishing treatments—cuticle cream, hand cream, and an intensive repair hand cream—to treat hands and nails with care. It’s all packed in a little organza bag, making it a lovely gift for teachers, mothers-in-law, and more people who deserve a moment of self care.
Price at time of publish: $15
Active Ingredients: Sweet almond oil, vitamin E, shea butter | Benefits: Rich nourishment, revitalizing | Cruelty-Free: Cruelty free
Best for Sensitive Skin
CARA Moisturizing Eczema Cotton Gloves
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Amazon
Each box comes with 24 pairs, making your investment $1 per pair.
You can choose from a range of size options.
The 100 percent cotton gloves are hypoallergenic.
The gloves can be worn on either hand.
These gloves loosen quickly, so you may only get a few wears out of each pair.
If you’re dealing with eczema, psoriasis, or simply very sensitive skin, this set of gloves is worth a look. You get 24 pairs of cotton gloves (making this a very budget-friendly purchase), which help seal in moisturizing creams applied beforehand. Just keep in mind that while they’re machine washable, the gloves aren’t as high quality as some of the others on this list and loosen up easily; you’ll have to commit to regular purchases to ensure you have well-fitting gloves.
Price at time of publish: $24
Active Ingredients: Cotton | Benefits: Seals in moisture | Cruelty-Free: Not listed
Best Breathable
Londontown Gloves
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Londontown
These gloves are very comfortable, even when worn overnight.
They're quite affordable.
They are durable and machine washable
They're only available in one size.
These cotton gloves from clean nail brand Londontown are meant to be paired with a rich hand cream to lock in hydration, whether you wear them for a few hours or overnight. While not all gloves are snug yet soft enough to be comfortable while sleeping, these are—and reviewers say they last for years before wearing out.
Price at time of publish: $10
Active Ingredients: Cotton | Benefits: Seals in moisture | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Latex
Salon Care Pink Pearl Nitrile Gloves With Aloe Vera
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Sally Beauty
For rubber gloves, they're shockingly cute.
The lining features aloe vera to keep hands from drying out.
The finish on these gloves is textured so you have great grip.
The gloves are not reusable.
If you’re in need of rubber gloves when gardening, coloring your hair, or just trying to keep clean, these are a rare latex-free pair that are not only kind of chic, but won’t strip your hands. The lining is made with aloe vera that activates with the warmth of your skin to deliver ongoing hydration.
Price at time of publish: $3
Active Ingredients: Aloe vera | Benefits: Hydrating, protective | Cruelty-Free: Not listed
Best Anti-Aging
Iluminage Skin Rejuvenating Gloves with Anti-Aging Copper Technology
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Nordstrom
The technology used to create these gloves is clinically proven to improve skin health.
They're very sleek and unobtrusive.
The fabric is very soft and comfortable to wear.
These gloves are on the pricier side.
They don’t cover your fingers, so you’ll only see the benefits of using these on the backs of your hands.
Unhealthy skin is often dry, affecting elasticity as well as texture. Fabric woven with copper is clinically proven to improve skin quality, making it look and function in a more healthy way. That’s why we love Iluminage’s collection of copper-infused textiles, including these fingerless gloves. Regular use leaves skin looking fresh and youthful with a firmer, more even appearance, which is only enhanced by pairing them with a moisturizing cream.
Price at time of publish: $45
Active Ingredients: Copper ions | Benefits: Cellular renewal, improvement to skin quality | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Overnight
Paume Hydrate Trio
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Paume
The tube of hand balm is generously sized.
The gloves are made with organic cotton for an extra luxe touch.
This is a whole hand care ritual in one set.
Compared to the others on this list, this is a bit of a pricey pick.
Paume exclusively makes luxury hand care products, so—dare we say it?—you’re in good hands with this kit. You can use the products individually, but for the ultimate indulgent experience, you’ll want to try out the whole trio at once: After applying the rich cuticle cream, slather your hands with the probiotic-rich balm, then protect the whole package by slipping into the organic cotton gloves. Whether you wear them for a few hours or overnight (we recommend the latter), they’ll seal in all the goodness, so you can take them off to reveal soft, hydrated, and youthful-looking hands.
Price at time of publish: $58
Active Ingredients: Organic cotton, glycerin, shea butter | Benefits: Moisturizing, nourishing| Cruelty-Free: Yes
Final Verdict
When selecting a pair of moisturizing gloves, you want to look for a pair that will seriously seal in nourishment. While it’s always good practice to apply a hand cream first, a moisturizing glove with a gel or ingredient-infused lining will help give you the most bang for your buck. Kitsch Moisturizing Spa Gloves are lined with gel to seal in moisture and boast touchscreen-friendly fingertips, which will increase your likelihood of wearing them often. The comfy Earth Therapeutics Aloe Infused Gloves are made with hydrating and nourishing ingredients so even if you forget to apply your hand cream, you’ll still see more moisturized hands by the AM.
Meet the Expert
Dr. Ava Shamban is a board-certified dermatologist in private practice in Beverly Hills, California. She is dedicated to helping patients to live happier lives by healing their skin and is recognized worldwide for her expertise.
What to Look for in Moisturizing Gloves
Ingredients
Considering that the whole purpose of using these gloves is to achieve well-moisturized hands, you want to seek out ingredients that help restore nourishment to skin, whether they’re in the gloves themselves or in the hand cream you apply underneath. “Our hands are one of the two parts of our body that don't have significant vein systems, no sebaceous network, or highway transport to move moisture and nutrition, as well as a thinner dermis,” says Dr. Shamban. That means your hands need extra help in the way of skincare. She recommends looking for ingredients like humectants and emollients to help provide much-needed hydration and moisture to skin. The most well-known example of a humectant is hyaluronic acid, which helps bind water to skin. Emollients, such as vitamin E, jojoba oil, and ceramides, support the skin’s lipid layer, which helps prevent moisture from escaping and promotes lasting nourishment.
Benefits
Again, you want to reap moisturizing benefits from your moisturizing gloves—as well as a glove that helps seal ‘em all in. “Moisturizing gloves are designed to keep ceramides, nutrition, and moisture on the skin to coat, adhere, soften, penetrate and permeate our often overworked, overwashed, dry, and dehydrated skin on the hands, fingernails, and cuticles,” says Dr. Shamban. Generally speaking, if your gloves have gel lining or you’re pairing them with a favorite hand cream, those aspects will be doing the heavy lifting when it comes to moisturization. But even if you’re wearing plain gloves, the choice of fabric can also make a difference. Cotton is recommended by most dermatologists, including Dr. Shamban. Waterproof fabrics, which prevent moisture from getting through a glove, can also help block it from escaping, sealing in any nourishment underneath.
Fit
Fit is important when selecting your gloves. “The Goldielocks rule applies here—you want a ‘just right’ fit,” quips Dr. Shamban, “a not too tight; a slightly snug fit so they stay on during the night.” She warns that a too-tight glove could cause circulation issues over long periods of time with a glove that is too tight. Most on the market are one size fits all, there are some brands offering multiple sizing options with their gloves. If you have larger hands, keep this in mind—the majority of the gloves offered tend to have a smaller fit.
Why Trust Byrdie
Emily Orofino has over a decade of experience working in beauty across editorial, marketing, product development, and brand consulting. You can find her work on sites including Harper's Bazaar, RealSelf, Editorialist, ELLE, Cosmo, Well+Good, Refinery29, and POPSUGAR, where she held a staff position as a beauty editor. She has also held in-house roles at Spotlyte by Allergan, Tarte Cosmetics, and Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare. When she's not playing with words or products, Emily enjoys weekend getaways, cooking, and extolling the virtues of glycolic acid and SPF.
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