These Are the Best Hand Creams With SPF for Hydrated, Protected Skin (2024)

A product that doesn’t leave any residue behind on the skin is preferred—especially when it comes to SPF products. With this formula from Jane Iredale which was road tested by the Good Housekeeping Beauty Institute, you can expect no residue as well as a light texture.

The product is a thinner, runnier lotion (as opposed to a thicker cream), and the feeling is “very fresh and hydrating, like a drink of water for the hands as the name implies,” says Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler. She calls this product her “favorite” of the hand creams she’s reviewed and enjoyed the “invigorating” lemon scent. Though, if you’re sensitive to fragrances, you may find this cream too strong.

If you want to avoid greasy or slippery palms, this is a great option. “I could use this as an everyday hand SPF,” Butler said.

There’s nothing like the signature Sun Bum coconut scent to transport us back to summers past and days spent on the sand. While the brand is known for its body sunscreens, it also makes an SPF-infused hand cream that Dr. Lal recommends for keeping hands protected from the sun.

It not only shields skin from harmful UV rays with SPF, but is enriched with vitamin E to keep hands hydrated and moisturized. Plus, reviewers love the “non-greasy” texture and that the cream “absorbs quickly” into the skin.

If you have skin that is prone to irritation, try this two-in-one moisturizer and sunscreen option from Eucerin that Dr. Luke recommends “for those with sensitive skin” due to its fragrance-free and dye-free formula that “provides broad spectrum UV protection.”

While it’s not advertised as a hand cream, we suggest trying out the formula for your hands at Dr. Luke’s recommendation. The lightweight cream claims to provide 24-hour hydration with sunflower oil and vitamin b5, all while shielding your skin from the sun with SPF 30.

This lightweight body sunscreen comes highly recommended by Dr. Lal for use on the hands, especially for those with darker skin tones. The formula dries clear, blends in easily, and feels comfortable on the skin thanks to the hydrating formula enriched with prebiotic oat.

“So many cream sunscreens require a ton of elbow grease and/or mixing with lotions to blend into my dark skin. Not this one!” wrote one Amazon reviewer. “If you’ve got a darker skin tone you’ll love this. I was afraid it wouldn’t work but nope, it definitely protects my skin.”

“This is an affordable hybrid sunscreen (meaning it has mineral and chemical sunscreen ingredients) that can be used on both face and body,” Dr. Luke explains. In addition to hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, she also appreciates that the formula contains nourishing ceramides “to keep skin moisturized,” making this a great option for those with dry skin.

Reviewers also appreciate how the formula feels “smooth” and “comfortable” on skin and that it doesn’t leave a “white, cakey finish.”

“I like this one because it comes in two sizes, with the smaller 1 oz. size being very convenient for travel or to carry with you,” explains Dr. Luke. “This also has an SPF of 40, unlike most hand creams which have an SPF below 30.” This hand sunscreen also contains moisturizing ingredients like argan oil and meadowfoam seed oil to keep hands hydrated while protecting them from the sun.

Plus, it’s previously been touted by Christie Calucchia, Prevention’s senior commerce editor, as her favorite hand cream with SPF. “I love that this hand cream doubles as sunscreen. It takes a few minutes to fully absorb into the skin, but it’s worth it for the UV protection,” she said. “And no, there’s no classic sunscreen smell.”

Combat and prevent signs of aging on the hands with this SPF-enriched formula from Paula’s Choice that comes highly recommended by Dr. Lal. This restorative moisturizer is formulated for the face and neck but works just as well for the hands.

It contains antioxidants and a high level of SPF to protect the skin from damaging UVA and UVB rays and other environmental aggressors, as well as brightening niacinamide and moisturizing shea butter to keep hands soft, supple, and youthful-looking.

This hand cream from Fenty Skin is another Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab Analyst recommendation. It has a pleasant citrus scent. The formula, which contains a mineral SPF, “doesn't feel slick or greasy at all,” Butler explains. However, “it is streaky upon application, so it needs to be rubbed in well.”

Butler adds that the cream 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.” It may be worth noting that the tube is on the smaller side, so it likely won’t last long.

I am a self-professed EltaMD superfan and own a number of SPF-infused products from their line. While their UV Clear SPF 46 is my holy grail face sunscreen, I love this UV Sport SPF 50 for keeping my hands protected from the sun. I find it a bit pricey to use all over my body, hence why I repurposed it as a hand cream.

The formula feels super comfortable on the skin and almost feels like I haven’t applied anything at all—which for me, is the ultimate sign of a great sunscreen product. It’s also water and sweat-resistant and can be applied to wet or dry skin, making it super convenient for reapplication and frequent hand washing.

Pamper your hands with this rich, luxurious formula from Josie Maran enriched with argan oil and glycerin. Technically a body butter, Dr. Luke recommends it for keeping hands moisturized and protected from the sun.

“Aside from being highly moisturizing, it is fragrance-free, cruelty-free, mineral-based (for those who prefer to avoid chemical-based sunscreens), and provides broad spectrum UV protection,” Dr. Luke explains.

✔️ Choose the appropriate level of SPF. Dr. Luke encourages everyone to look for an SPF of 30 or higher in any type of sunscreen product to ensure adequate protection. It’s also recommended to choose a “broad-spectrum sunscreen,” which means the product “protects against both UVA and UVB” rays.

✔️ Look for nourishing ingredients. When looking for a hand cream—with or without SPF—it’s important to choose a product with moisturizing and hydrating ingredients. Dr. Luke recommends looking for ingredients like glycerin, triglycerides, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, squalane, or shea butter.

✔️ Reapply often. The main “caveat” with sunscreen products for the hands has to do with hand washing, explains Dr. Lal. That’s why it’s important to reapply your hand cream with SPF every two hours (or as directed on the product label) and after hand washing.

We tested the Supergoop! Handscreen SPF 40 and the Elta MD UV Sport SPF 50. We spoke with Karan Lal, D.O., M.S., F.A.A.D., double board-certified dermatologist with Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, AZ; and Janiene Luke, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Loma Linda, CA. We also sifted through countless product reviews to select the best hand creams with SPF available.

The Best Overall Hand Cream With SPF and the Best Scented Hand Cream With SPF were evaluated by the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab in their most recent road test of hand creams with SPF.