No product is a miracle cure, but yes, hand masks can work very well at what they are intended to do: add moisture to your hands. That can help heal cracked hands and rough, dry skin. In addition to moisturizing, many contain ingredients that may improve the appearance of your hands over time.

How often should you use a hand mask?

It's typical to use a hand mask once a month, though if you're dealing with inclement weather that your hands are exposed to regularly, you're unlikely to cause any harm by using a hand mask slightly more often.

What do you do after a hand mask?

Hand masks are treated similarly to sheet face masks. When the allotted time is up, you can massage any extra product into your hands that didn't fully absorb. If there is too much left for that to be viable or feel good, you can go ahead and wipe it off. You'll want to wait a short while to wash your hands to ensure all the moisture possible has been absorbed.

The 12 Best Hand Masks of 2022

Commerce Photo Composite — Byrdie / Lecia Landis

Why is it that we spend hours tending to the skin on our face and body, but our hard-working hands hardly ever get a look? Sure, we might indulge in the odd manicure and slap on some hand cream in the depths of winter—but how often is it that we really show them some TLC?

A hand mask is a simple but easy way to do just that. Whether you use a pair of hydrating gloves or a superlative leave-on treatment, a great-quality hand mask formula is an unlikely skincare buy, but once you try it, we promise you’ll be hooked! And so here we’ve compiled the very best, from those spiked with actives (hello, retinol) to super repairing options.

Meet the Expert

Jocelyn Petroni is an Australian skin expert, manicurist, and nail technician. She also owns her eponymous salon in Sydney.
Dr. Devika Icecreamwala is a board-certified dermatologist based in California.
Joshua Zeichner, MD, is an NYC-based board-certified dermatologist.

Keep scrolling to shop the best hand creams.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Starskin Hollywood Hand Model at Beautybay.com

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Best Budget:

Epielle Repairing Hand Mask at Amazon

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Best Drugstore:

Aveeno Repairing CICA Hand Mask at Amazon

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Best Hydrating:

Karuna Age-Defying+ Hand Mask at Amazon

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Elixir Premium Labs Korean Hand Mask at Amazon

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Sephora Collection Cucumber Hand Mask at Sephora

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Patchology Self-Warming Hand & Cuticle Mask at Ulta

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Fenty Skin Recovery Glycerin Hand Mask at Sephora

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Starskin Hydrating Foil Mask Gloves at Anthropologie

Jump to Review

Mavala Hand Mask at Amazon

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In This Article

Our Picks
Final Verdict
What To Look For
Why Trust Byrdie

Starskin Hollywood Hand Model Nourishing Double-Layer Hand Mask Gloves

Skinstore

View On Beautybay.com View On Skinstore.com

What We Like

Can be chilled
Nourishing
Double-lined to avoid spills

What We Don't Like

Only single use

Like a sheet mask for hands, these single-use mitts are infused with a deeply moisturizing serum—think shea butter, macadamia, and nourishing olive extract. The double-layer glove has a lovely warming effect, or you can pop them in the fridge before use for a refreshing, spa-like experience. In 15 minutes, expect hands that are silky soft and cared-for.

Price at time of publish: $10 for one pair

Active Ingredients: Shea butter, botanical oils, botanical extracts | Size: 0.6 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Bed, Bath & Beyond

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Bed Bath & Beyond

What We Like

Comes in a 6-pack
Affordable
Nourishing

What We Don't Like

Reviewers claim they don’t have enough serum

Cheap and cheerful, these gloves supposedly come with a serum rich in coconut oil and hyaluronic acid to nourish tired hands. We love the affordability factor, too!

Price at time of publish: $12 for six pairs

Active Ingredients: Coconut oil, milk extract, hyaluronic acid | Skin Type: Dry | Size: 1 pair | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Courtesy of Aveeno

View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Bed Bath & Beyond

What We Like

Affordable
Paraben- and fragrance-free
Gentle

What We Don't Like

Reviewers claim results don't last long

A crowd favorite (and for good reason), this simple soothing hand mask set from Aveeno is excellent for sensitive skin. “The inclusion of oat and shea butter is great for depleted skin,” says Jocelyn Petroni, an Australian skin expert, manicurist, and nail technician. “Petrolatum, while not nourishing, will also prevent further damage and water loss.”

Price at time of publish $4 for one pair

Active Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, shea butter | Skin Type: Dry, sensitive | Size: 1 pair | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Revolve

View On Amazon View On Karunaskin.com View On Revolve

What We Like

Can use overnight
Comes in a 4-pack
Exfoliating

What We Don't Like

Pricey

Packed with nourishing ingredients like shea butter, camellia oil, jojoba, and glycerin, these luxe gloves are a treat for dry, chapped, or calloused hands. Bonus: They even contain a touch of lactic and glycolic acids to slough away rough or flaky skin.

Price at time of publish: $8 for one pair

Active Ingredients: Camellia flower extract, shea butter, collagen | Skin Type: Dry | Size: 0.51 fl. oz. | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Elixir Premium Labs Korean Moisturizing Hand Mask

Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Can use on a touch screen
Nourishing

What We Don’t Like

Reviews claim they are small in size

These top-rated gloves from Korean skincare brand Elixir Premium Labs are packed with natural ingredients (like rose extract, shea butter, and olive extract) as well as mineral oil to create a protective barrier around the hands. According to reviews, they are quite fragrant, so keep that in mind if you’re sensitive.

Price at time of publish: $8 for one pair

Active Ingredients: Shea butter, rose | Size: 1 pair | Scent: Floral, sweet | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Sephora

View On Sephora

What We Like

Nourishing
Smells good
Affordable

What We Don’t Like

Only single use

What’s great about this hydrating hand mask set from Sephora Collection is that they contain both hyaluronic acid and saccharide isomerate. The second one especially is an exciting ingredient said to increase skin hydration for softer, smoother hands.

Petroni agrees it’s a great ingredient, especially alongside hyaluronic acid and glycerin to “improve skin moisture, smooth skin appearance, and reduce the incidence of both flakes and fine lines.” It’s a yes from us.

Price at time of publish: $5 for one pair

Active Ingredients: Saccharide isomerate, hyaluronic acid, cucumber extract | Size: 1 pair | Scent: Fresh, green | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Patchology Warm Up Perfect 10 Self-Warming Hand & Cuticle Mask

View On Ulta View On Bluemercury.com View On Skinstore.com

What We Like

Has a warming effect
Treats cuticles

What We Don’t Like

Pricey

Want to hydrate your hands and treat yourself to a spa-like experience in 10 minutes flat? Try on these warming gloves from Perfect 10. Packed with rich macadamia oil and shea butter, they replenish and restore softness, resulting in cared-for hands and cuticles. This is also a great one to work into your DIY manicure routine.

Price at time of publish: $10 for one pair

Active Ingredients: Macadamia oil, shea butter, rosehip oil | Size: 1 pair | Scent: Subtle, floral | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Fenty Skin HydraâReset Intensive Recovery Glycerin Hand Mask

Sephora

View On Sephora View On Ecosmetics.com View On Fentybeauty.com

What We Like

Comes in a multi-use tube
Nourishing
Smells good

What We Don’t Like

Pricey

Trust Bad Gal Ri Ri to bless us with an intensive treatment that works while we snooze. Enriched with an impressive 40 percent glycerin—a humectant that binds water to skin cells, fighting dehydration—it’s a balmy treatment that works to reduce flaking, chapping, and dryness. While it is an overnight treatment, we’re still pleased to report that Hydra’Reset is neither sticky nor greasy—a great antidote to over-sanitized mitts.

Price at time of publish: $22

Active Ingredients: Glycerin, mango seed butter, murumuru seed butter | Size: 2.5 fl. oz. | Scent: Fruity | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

STARSKIN Red Carpet Ready Hand Super Hydrating Foil Mask Gloves

Saks

View On Anthropologie View On Bloomingdales View On Feelunique.com

What We Like

Nourishing
Has a warming effect
Treats cuticles

What We Don’t Like

Pricey

These hard-working foil gloves generate a subtle warmth, helping infuse the nourishing ingredients right into the skin. Because the serum is packed with butter and oil, these are a great pick for those in need of extra care—think torn cuticles, cracked knuckles, and reptilian-like texture. In 15 minutes, your hands will feel softer, smoother, and much more comfortable.

Price at time of publish: $11 for one pair

Active Ingredients: Macadamia oil, shea butter, coconut oil | Size: 1 pair | Scent: Subtle, slightly sweet | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Harrods.com

What We Like

Exfoliating
Leave-on formulation

What We Don’t Like

Pricey

“This is a staple formula in my salon,” Petroni explains. “The clay buffs away built-up skin while ceramides and allantoin rebuild a resilient barrier. I like to leave it on for 15 minutes, remove with a warm towel, and then apply a cream for best results.”

We love the fact it comes with plastic gloves, too, for optimal penetration (and minimal mess).

Price at time of publish: $21

Earth Therapeutics Hand Mask Anti Aging Retinol

Ulta

View On Ulta

What We Like

Potent formula
Exfoliating
Can apply remaining serum to arms/chest

What We Don't Like

Must use weekly to see results

If you want to target discoloration, sun spots, or fine lines, a targeted hand mask like this one from Earth Therapeutics is the way to go. It contains retinol, the gold standard ingredient in skin renewal and repair. The only caveat is that you need to use them weekly—if not biweekly—to see results. But if you’re committed, they’re a great product! Be sure to massage any remaining serum into your arms and chest.

Price at time of publish: $7 for one pair

Active Ingredients: Retinol, botanicals | Skin Type: All | Size: 0.54 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Ulta

View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Miss-spa.com

What We Like

Affordable
Nourishing
Smells good

What We Don’t Like

Only single use

Affordable but oh so effective, this simple glove set hydrates the skin without any sticky residue. We love the fact they contain glycerin and safflower oil, as well as essential oils for a sensorial experience.

Price at time of publish: $6 for one pair

Active Ingredients: Safflower oil, glycerin, beeswax | Size: 1 pair | Scent: Floral | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Final Verdict

The skin on your hands is just as susceptible to signs of aging as the skin on your face, and hand masks offer a nice complement to a basic routine of hand cream and SPF. There are plenty of affordable, single-use serum-infused gloves out there that work to deliver moisture and anti-aging active ingredients in minutes. The Starskin Hollywood Hand Model Double-Layer Hand Mask Gloves and Patchology Warm Up Perfect 10 Self-Warming Hand and Cuticle Mask are two of our faves. As for leave-on formulas, we can’t go past the Fenty Skin Hydra’Reset Intensive Recovery Glycerin Hand Mask or the Mavala Rejuvenating Hand Mask.

What to Look for in a Hand Mask

Hyaluronic Acid

We know, we've talked about it endlessly—but hyaluronic acid is an incredible moisturizer. Because it improves the appearance of lines and wrinkles, it can also give your hands a much-needed aesthetic boost. It has become a progressively more common ingredient in hand creams nowadays for precisely that reason.

Retinol

Whenever anti-aging is your goal, retinol is likely on your mind. Many different full-body lotions contain it because of how powerful it is at age protection. Dr. Devika Icecreamwala, a board-certified dermatologist, says that “retinol helps rebuild collagen and thicken the dermis, which over time will improve the appearance of crepey or loose skin,” and that "it also works to smooth the skin, so [it] can be used on areas of the body that appear bumpy, and it helps improve acne and discoloration.”

Vitamin E

Sure, you could just open up a vitamin E capsule and massage it directly into your hands, but we love the tidier version of including E in a hand mask. Board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, tells Byrdie that "Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that can help calm inflammation, prevent free-radical damage, and even skin tone."

Glove or Patch Shape

When choosing a hand mask, you want to make sure its structure fits your lifestyle. If you have time on your hands (pun intended) to hang out with mittens on and watch some Netflix, there's no need to avoid a mitten shape or even a loose cream. But if you want to be able to go about your day while wearing a hand mask, a glove shape that separates the fingers or a patch that sits on top of your hand will be a little easier for anything you want to do.

FAQ

Do hand masks work?

No product is a miracle cure, but yes, hand masks can work very well at what they are intended to do: add moisture to your hands. That can help heal cracked hands and rough, dry skin. In addition to moisturizing, many contain ingredients that may improve the appearance of your hands over time.
How often should you use a hand mask?

It's typical to use a hand mask once a month, though if you're dealing with inclement weather that your hands are exposed to regularly, you're unlikely to cause any harm by using a hand mask slightly more often.
What do you do after a hand mask?

Hand masks are treated similarly to sheet face masks. When the allotted time is up, you can massage any extra product into your hands that didn't fully absorb. If there is too much left for that to be viable or feel good, you can go ahead and wipe it off. You'll want to wait a short while to wash your hands to ensure all the moisture possible has been absorbed.

Why Trust Byrdie

For this article, Emily Algar not only tested a bunch of hand masks (it’s a tough gig!) but also researched peer-reviewed articles, consulted an expert, and trawled through internet reviews to find you the best of the best.

The 15 Best Hand Creams of 2022

Article Sources

Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.