9 Best Hand Creams with SPF for Smooth And Protected Skin

Written by Anoushka Sinha, Skincare Coach & Writer
Updated on Feb 12, 2024
Best hand cream with spf
The products curated for this article are independently chosen by the editorial team. If you make a purchase through the links mentioned below, we may receive a commission. Check out our product research & curation process

Our hands go through a lot and bear it all, including UV exposure, dirt, pollution, harsh weather conditions, and frequent handwashing, but they also remain one of the most neglected parts of our body. That’s why, we think it is time you gave your hands the focus (and of course the love and care) that they deserve by adding some of the best hand creams with SPF to your daily routine. Drawing from our experience, we can tell you that it is our hands that begin to show the first signs of aging. They not only start losing collagen with age, but they also start showing signs of everyday rigor and sun damage. However, you can avoid the damage with proper moisturization and sun protection.

Hand cream is a skincare product specifically formulated to meet the moisturization needs of the skin on your hands. Whereas, a hand cream with SPF combines the best of two worlds by providing moisturization and sun protection. It offers several skin benefits like nourishing skin, maintaining the skin's moisture balance, strengthening the skin barrier, preventing and combating dryness, improving the skin tone and texture, on top of protecting the skin on hands from UV and free radical damage. But, most importantly, these creams can protect your hands against skin cancer. A clinical study from 2017 noted the impact of sun exposure on hands and how it leads to skin aging. It went on to suggest the use of topical products with sunscreen, emollients, humectants, and antioxidants to treat signs of aging and sun damage with consistent use (1). 

That is why, through our trial and error, we discovered the top-rated hand lotion with sunscreen just for you. So what’s the wait? Come and join us as we explore the better-than-the-rest hand creams with sunscreen.

9 Best Hand Creams with SPF

Pamper your skin and defend your hands against dryness, sun damage, and other environmental stressors, including pollution. This sunscreen hand cream has a super moisturizing and antioxidant-rich formula, which is a beautiful blend of emollients, humectants, and vitamins. It includes urea, glycerin, jojoba oil, ceramides, petrolatum, aloe vera, watermelon, apple extract, vitamin E, vitamin C, and panthenol, to name a few. It moisturizes your dry hands and helps improve their overall appearance and health. We have found from using this product that it is effective against dryness and rough patches and shows visible results within the first few uses.

Pros
  • Keeps hands soft
  • Little goes a long way
  • Very nourishing
  • Helps with cracked skin
  • Reduces sun spots
  • Prevents premature signs of aging
  • Travel-friendly 
Cons
  • May flake off after drying
  • Not suitable for sensitive skin
  • Best Sun-protection

    Supergoop! Handscreen SPF 40

    Supergoop! Handscreen SPF 40
  • The Supergoop Handscreen is the perfect combo of a moisturizing hand cream and sunscreen. It has a luxurious formula enriched with star ingredients like sea buckthorn fruit extract, meadowfoam seed oil, and argan oil, which nourishes, repairs, and protects the skin from further damage. Thanks to its broad spectrum sun protection with SPF 40, you can wear it anywhere, whether it is for gardening or a trip to the beach. If you are not convinced yet, our findings show that it is the best hand cream with SPF, so you can make this your next pick without any hesitation.

    Pros
    • Non-sticky
    • Refreshing scent
    • Hydrating 
    • Fast absorbing
    • Easy to blend
    • Convenient to carry 
    Cons
    • Expensive 
  • Best Anti-aging

    Robanda Retinol Anti-Aging Hand Treatment SPF 15

    Robanda Retinol Anti-Aging Hand Treatment SPF 15
  • Treat your skin with a dose of moisturization and antioxidants with the help of Robanda hand cream. It is a retinol-based anti-aging hand cream with SPF 15 and other key ingredients, including shea butter and emblica. It repairs damaged skin cells, increases cell turnover rate, and stimulates collagen production to restore your skin health (2). Thanks to its gentle formula, it replenishes the skin on your hands and minimizes the appearance of age spots without causing any irritation. Our investigation demonstrated that it delivers long-lasting nourishment that’s extremely effective

    Pros
    • Moisturizing formula
    • Reduces fine lines
    • Brightens skin tone
    • Improves skin texture
    • Fades dark spots and discoloration
    • Makes skin smooth
    • Suitable for sensitive skin
    Cons
    • Some may not like the scent
    • Not for very dry skin
  • Best Splurge SPF

    Deborah Lippmann Rich Girl Hand Cream SPF 25

    Deborah Lippmann Rich Girl Hand Cream SPF 25
  • Splurge on your hands a little and feel like a rich girl with the rich creamy texture of this hand cream from Deborah Lippmann. Enriched with shea butter, jojoba oil, and avocado oil, this is the best hand sunscreen that will leave your skin feeling nourished and protected. With SPF 25 and a botanical brightening complex, it not only prevents sun damage but also helps treat the existing signs of skin damage. After conducting experiments with it, we can say that it is a must-have for those with dry skin, all because of its intensely moisturizing formula.

    Pros
    • Adds softness
    • Makes skin smoother
    • Non-greasy
    • Goes on smoothly
    • Skin feels silky to touch
    • Absorbs well
    Cons
    • Strong scent 
  • Best Vegan Hand Cream

    Sun Bum Hand Cream SPF 15

    Sun Bum Hand Cream SPF 15
  • A great addition to your daily skincare regimen, this hand cream with sunscreen can work wonders for you. From keeping your hands hydrated and moisturized to offering UV protection with a broad spectrum and SPF 15, it does it all. This lightweight hand cream is the perfect product to give your hands some extra love and care. It is a good starting point, especially if you are someone who forgets to apply sunscreen on your hands. When we trialed this product, we found it is ultra-hydrating and is a holy grail for frequent hand washers.

    Pros
    • Absorbs quickly
    • Water-resistant
    • Non-greasy formula
    • Replenishes skin’s moisture levels
    • Vegan 
    Cons
    • Some may not like its scent 
  • Best Lightweight Cream

    Gloves In A Bottle Hand Shielding Lotion + SPF 15 Sunscreen

     Gloves In A Bottle Hand Shielding Lotion + SPF 15 Sunscreen
  • This is the best hand lotion with SPF that you can get your hands on (quite literally!). Its name is a true indication of how it feels on application. Formulated with plant-based active ingredients like arnica, chamomile, aloe vera, yarrow, comfrey, and vitamin E, it is quite nourishing yet so lightweight that you won't feel anything there. It offers long-lasting moisturization and sun protection, thanks to its invisible shield technology and SPF 15. After putting it to the test, we can say that it makes hands softer and smoother than before. It will become your favorite hand cream in no time.

    Pros
    • Non-greasy
    • Absorbs quickly
    • Doesn’t leave any residue
    • Good for daily use
    • Goes on smoothly
    • Helps soothe skin
    • Value for money
    Cons
    • None 
  • Best Hydrating Formula

    jane iredale HandDrink Hand Cream SPF 15

    jane iredale HandDrink Hand Cream SPF 15
  • Ultra creamy yet lightweight, this sunscreen for hands from Jane Iredale is so much more than simply being a hand cream. It is a whole experience, with its fragrance, formula, texture, and application invigorating your senses. This top-rated hand cream helps revitalize dry and damaged skin, thanks to its moisturizing texture. With key ingredients like green tea, this hand cream has an antioxidant-rich formula that not only protects against UV damage but also free radical damage. Based on our firsthand experience, applying this hand cream with SPF 15 feels like giving your skin a fresh drink

    Pros
    • Absorbs well and quickly
    • Non-greasy
    • Pleasant scent
    • Lightweight
    • Comfortable on skin
    • Mineral filters
    • Easy to use
    Cons
    • Expensive 
    • Not for very dry skin 
  • Best Nourishing Formula

    UNSUN Emollient Rich Hand Cream SPF 15

    UNSUN Emollient Rich Hand Cream SPF 15
  • Say hello to soft, silky, and smooth hands with the incredibly nourishing formula of this UNSUN hand sunscreen. It has an emollient-rich formula with key ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, cucumber extracts, and chamomile. It makes sure that your hands are getting adequate hydration and moisturization while also providing anti-aging benefits. Thanks to SPF 15, this is the perfect indoor sunscreen for your hands or when the UV index is low. Our team discovered through using this product that it has mineral filters and only leaves a minimal white cast that disappears quickly

    Pros
    • Absorbs fast
    • Makes hand soft and supple
    • Goes on smoothly
    • Water-resistant 
    • Cruelty-free 
    • Reef-safe 
    Cons
    • May feel a little sticky
  • Best for Dark Spots

    Yves Rocher Riche Crème Anti-dark Spot Hand Cream SPF 20

     Yves Rocher Riche Crème Anti-dark Spot Hand Cream SPF 20
  • Give your hands the nourishment they need and deserve with the Yves Rocher Riche Crème. With its rich and luxe texture that offers intense nourishment to the skin, this hand cream with SPF 20 is very true to its name. It penetrates the skin instantly to moisturize it from the inside out. You can witness this instant transformation with your own eyes. Made using a blend of 30 natural oils and other skin-benefitting ingredients, this hand cream also helps fade discoloration and dark spots. As indicated by our tests, it offers anti-aging benefits as well. 

    Pros
    • Makes skin soft and smooth
    • Regenerates skin cells
    • Protects against environmental stressors
    • Non-greasy formula 
    • Nice fragrance 
    • Vegan 
    • Travel-friendly
    • Alcohol-free 
    Cons
    • None 

    That’s all folks, with our recommendations of the best hand creams with SPF. However, we are not done yet. While you know which hand cream does exactly what, there are still certain things that you need to know before you go out shopping for your favorite hand cream with sunscreen.

    How to Pick the Best Hand Cream with SPF?

    Hand creams with SPF are an essential part of every skincare routine and picking the best one for you can be a struggle. However, with our help, you can make this choice easily. Here are some factors that you must carefully consider to make an informed choice:

    Skin Type

    Consider your skin type, whether you have normal, dry, oily, or sensitive skin. Each skin type has its specific needs and this will help you narrow down the product choices by a lot.

    Ingredients

    Read the product label carefully and make sure there are no ingredients that can cause skin irritation or allergies. A hand cream must have a blend of humectants, emollients, antioxidants, natural oils, and botanical extracts. Therefore, you must look for skin-nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, glycerin, vitamin E, panthenol, coconut oil, green tea, oat extract, cocoa butter, ceramides, jojoba oil, shea butter, urea, lactic acid, and calendula, to name a few.

    Formula 

    Pick a lightweight, non-comedogenic, and hypoallergenic formula. Since it is a hand cream, you must also look for something non-greasy. This will make sure that your hand cream with SPF is fuss-free and suitable for daily use.

    Texture

    Hand creams typically come in various textures, including lotion, cream, gel, whipped, balm, or ointment. You must go for a texture that suits your skin needs and personal preferences. For instance, those with extremely dry skin must opt for a rich cream-based hand cream while normal to oily skin types must get their hands on gel-based hand creams, lotions, or even whipped hand creams because of their light and airy texture.  

    Fragrance

    A hand cream with sunscreen may or may not have a fragrance. Choose the one according to your preferences, whether you like a strong, subtle, or no scent.

    Sun Protection

    The hand cream must offer adequate sun protection. Look for chemical filters, like avobenzone, octocrylene, octinoxate, tinosorb S, tinosorb M, and homosalate, and physical filters, like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. It is advised to look for broad-spectrum protection and at least SPF 30 for adequate sun protection. Both physical and chemical sunscreens protect against the damage caused by sun exposure, so you must choose the one that suits your skin type and concerns. Look for iron oxides in the ingredient list for protection against blue light.

    Other Features

    Look for additional skin benefits like anti-aging, brightening, soothing, and quick absorption, to name a few. You must also look for a water-resistant and sweat-resistant feature. 

    Customer Reviews

    Don't forget to read customer reviews on various online platforms and beauty blogs. Read reviews and feedback from people who have similar skin type, texture, and concerns as yours. This will help you gain valuable insights into the real-life performance of the hand cream of your choice. 

    How to Use a Hand Cream with SPF?

    Using a hand cream is as easy as it sounds. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use a hand cream with SPF for optimal results:

    • Start with clean hands. Wash your hands thoroughly with a gentle hand cleanser. Dry them using a clean and soft towel.
    • Squeeze out a generous amount of the hand cream with SPF. Apply it evenly over your hands. Make sure to cover every nook and cranny of your hands, including the back of your hands, palms, fingers, nails, and between the fingers, with an even layer of the hand cream.  
    • Apply the hand cream with SPF for at least 15 minutes before going out to let it fully absorb and settle on your skin.
    • Always do a patch test 24 to 48 hours before to ensure it won't cause any skin irritation or allergic reactions. 
    • Whether you are outdoors or indoors as long as there is exposure to the sun, direct or indirect, apply the hand cream with SPF.
    • Don't forget to reapply every 2 to 3 hours, because the UV filters in the hand cream can break down over time leaving your hands exposed to sun damage.
    • Apply the hand sunscreen even if it's cloudy outside because while you cannot see them, the UV rays are still out there.

    Conclusion

    Our hands need some extra love and pampering since we put them through a lot every day. And what can be a better way to care than by adding the best hand creams with SPF to your skincare routine? These creams are a 2-in-1 product that moisturizes as well as protects against harmful UV rays. Since they are meant to be used on hands, they are usually non-greasy yet intensely moisturizing. With these hand creams, your skin gets adequate nourishment while staying sun-protected. They offer many skin benefits including improved skin texture, hydration, fading of dark spots and discoloration, evening out skin tone, and reduction in dryness. With our top recommendations and detailed buying guide, you can easily find the right one that suits your needs and preferences for softer sun-protected hands. 

    FAQ's

    Which SPF is best for hands?
    The Supergoop! Handscreen SPF 40 is the best SPF for hands. But there are many others that you can choose based on your needs.
    How often should I apply hand cream with SPF?
    You should apply hand cream with SPF every two to three hours.
    Should you use hand cream with SPF?
    Yes, you should use hand cream with SPF. It not only moisturizes your hands but also protects them from sun damage.
    How much SPF is needed for hands?
    SPF 30 and above is preferred for hands.
    Can I use face sunscreen on my hands?
    Yes, you can use face sunscreen for your hands.
    Do hand creams with SPF have any potential side effects?
    Because of some UV filters, some hand creams with SPF can have potential side effects like redness, skin sensitivity, and irritation. Some can even stain the clothes.
    Can I use hand cream with SPF on other parts of my body?
    Yes, you can use hand cream with SPF on other parts of your body.
    Can I use hand cream with SPF at night?
    You can use a hand cream with SPF at night. But it would be unnecessary. A cream with SPF is created for the sole purpose of offering protection against sun damage during the daytime.

    Why Trust Pinkvilla

    Anoushka, the author, is a skincare enthusiast who believes in the power of moisturization. She has a moisturizer for every season and occasion on her vanity. But the one thing she absolutely loves is her collection of hand creams. And when these hand creams also come with sun protection, life gets a little easier. She wanted to share her joy and finds with her readers which is why she has curated this selection. She individually tested all the products to give you her top recommendations.

    Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health and fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust Select to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!

    Author BIO
    reviewer
    Anoushka Sinha
    Skincare Coach & Writer

    Anoushka is certified in Professional Skincare and is a Mass Media (Journalism) graduate from Mumbai University. As a More