The Best Hand Creams With SPF, According to Testing (2024)

When applying any SPF, especially one on your hands, we prefer when it doesn't leave any residue. With this Jane Iredale formula, you can expect no residue as well as a light texture.

A runnier lotion (rather than a thicker cream), the feeling is "very fresh and hydrating, like a drink of water for the hands as the name implies," says GH Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler. Calling it her "favorite" of the hand creams she tried, she also enjoyed the "invigorating" lemon scent, though if you're sensitive to fragrances, you may find this too strong.

If you prefer hand creams with a lighter feeling and want to avoid slick palms, this is the one for you. "I could use this as an everyday hand SPF," notes Butler.

If your hands are feeling extra parched, lather on this Deborah Lippmann hand cream that has a "rich texture," according to Butler. She recommends it for dry hands due to the thicker consistency. "I really like the clean, fresh laundry scent," she shares.

During testing, she found that the cream left her hands shiny but not greasy, so you won't have slippery fingers after application. However, the one downside to this product is that when you close the twist cap, extra product can come out, which may be messy.

Though simply wearing sunscreen everyday is one of the best ways to fight aging, wearing this luxurious hand cream will provide even more anti-aging benefits.

The brand says its unique formula is "designed to help increase elasticity and boost collagen;" in a clinical study sponsored by the brand, 100% of users showed improvement in skin firmness and 97% showed a reduced appearance of crepey skin after two weeks of use. It features a light rose scent and "feels lightweight and instantly hydrating," says Butler. "The lines on my hands appear softened."

Transport yourself somewhere tropical with this citrus-scented hand cream from Fenty Skin. The mineral SPF formula "doesn't feel slick or greasy at all," says Butler, though "it is streaky upon application, so it needs to be rubbed in well."

She notes that it feels hydrating and "dries down to a very light finish. It may not be a good pick for very dry hands, but it is great for those who don't want a slippery sensation." Note that the tube is very small, so it likely won't last long.

Boasting the highest SPF of all the hand creams on this list, Supergoop's formula can be a "good choice for outdoor days when you really want good sun protection," says Butler, who notes it feels most like a regular sunscreen of all the options on this list (read: it feels heavier than other formulas and can leave a bit of an oily residue).

Dr. Land also recommends this pick because it "contains antioxidants and moisturizing ingredients," she explains. "It is fragrance-free and dries down quickly after application."

The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab has tested countless sunscreens throughout the decades, including chemical and mineral options for face and body. We've also tested dozens of the most popular hand creams through rigorous testing over the years.

For this road test of hand creams with SPF, GH Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler evaluated and tested eight products in the Lab, taking into consideration factors like price, scent, texture and absorption. We also consulted an expert dermatologist who weighed in on the importance of using an SPF hand cream and what to look for when purchasing one, as well as product recommendations.

✔️ Broad spectrum protection: The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a sunscreen with broad spectrum protection, which means that it protects from both UVA and UVB rays. If your sunscreen bottle says "broad spectrum" on it, then you're good to go!

✔️ SPF 30 or higher: Dr. Land (and the AAD) advise purchasing a sunscreen with at least SPF 30. Take note that many SPF hand creams are less than that, which is likely because brands put less of the sunscreen actives to give the products more of a lotion feel than a sunscreen feel. Getting a high SPF means that there needs to be "higher amounts of sunscreen actives and film formers to create even coverage over the skin, which can feel heavy," says Butler, and hand creams are meant to feel light.

✔️ Formula: Pick a formula that's right for your skin type and concerns. Dr. Land suggests sticking with mineral formulations "if you have very sensitive skin or are prone to allergic reactions." Meanwhile, if you have dry hands, "look for formulations that include hyaluronic acid and ceramides," she adds, as these ingredients will keep the skin feeling moisturized and help replenish the skin barrier. Most of all, "find one that you love and will keep putting on," she says.

This guide was written by GH Beauty Assistant Catharine Malzahn, who works closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab to help deliver fact-based, science-backed beauty coverage. A skincare and sun protection fanatic, she has interviewed experts, written dozens of product reviews and tested hundreds of products.

For this story, she worked closely with GH Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler, who conducts hands-on testing of health and beauty products. She earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Columbia University. Before joining GH in 2022, she worked as a cosmetic chemist, formulating skincare products for a variety of brands and learning to decode ingredient lists, evaluate ingredient efficacy and scrutinize product claims. She personally evaluated all of the hand creams featured in this roundup.