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You may be slathering retinoids, a class of vitamin A derivatives, onto your face and neck—but the best retinol hand creams make a strong case of extending it to your fingertips, too. This powerhouse ingredient, beloved by dermatologists and editors alike, is known for its ability to speed cell turnover and, in doing so, stimulate collagen production to smooth wrinkles and fade dark spots.
Vogue’s Favorite Retinol Hand Creams
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Soft Services Theraplush “Hold” Overnight Repair Treatment
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That can be especially meaningful in a hand cream, as the hands also show early signs of aging, like crepey or thin skin, discoloration, and loss of firmness, according to Dr. Carmen Castilla, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York, NY. “People spend so much time, effort, and money improving the appearance of the skin on their face—however, they often overlook taking care of the backs of their hands,” she says. This is all to say: You may want to consider adding a hand cream with retinol to your skin-care routine, stat. Here, what to start with.
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Best Overall: Nécessaire The Hand Retinol
- Why We Love It: Nécessaire was among the first brands to infuse retinol into body lotion, so it’s no surprise that it’s done the same for hand cream. This thoughtful formula restores elasticity to the skin on the hands while keeping it hydrated and plump, Dr. Howard Sobel, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon based in New York, previously shared with Vogue. It pairs an encapsulated retinol (which allows for a more gradual, and thus gentler, release) with alpha hydroxy acids to brighten and smooth both immediately and over time.
- Key Ingredients: Retinol, glycolic acid, mandelic acid, niacinamide
- Retinol Concentration: 0.25% retinol
- Size: 65 mL
Best Drugstore: Dove Pro-Retinol + Firming Cream Serum
- Why We Love It: While it’s designed for use anywhere on the body, this formula is particularly good for the hands, according to Dr. Mona Gohara, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New Haven, CT. That’s because it “uses a mild, skin-friendly form of retinol combined with nourishing emollients, making it an excellent choice for daily use,” she says. “It hydrates as it rejuvenates, helping hands look smoother, softer, and more even-toned over time.” It’s lightweight and quick to absorb, too, making it especially convenient for busy days.
- Key Ingredients: Pro-retinol, collagen peptides, niacinamide
- Retinol Concentration: Not disclosed
- Size: 8 oz.
Best Scent: Soft Services Theraplush “Hold” Refillable Overnight Retinol Hand Repair Cream
- Why We Love It: While Soft Services offers a fragrance-free version of its hand cream with retinol, the warm, skin-like scent makes this iteration stand out from its peers. “With a combination of retinol and colloidal oatmeal, this helps lighten age spots while deeply hydrating the skin,” Dr. Sobel says. The elegant, sculptural jar is refillable and quickly dispenses a dose with a small press, making for a truly sensorial pre-bed ritual.
- Editor’s Experience: “Part of the appeal of this hand cream is the packaging: It’s so display-worthy that I keep it on my nightstand, which has helped me be consistent with application. Plus, the scent is cozy but subtle, and the formula itself has done an incredible job of keeping my hands soft and smooth, even in the winter.” —Deanna Pai, Vogue contributor
- Key Ingredients: Retinol, colloidal oatmeal, panthenol
- Retinol Concentration: 0.05%
- Size: 50 ml
Best for Sensitive Skin: Avène Retrinal Intensive Multi-Corrective Cream
- Why We Love It: For those wary of drying retinoids, retinaldehyde, or retinal, offers a respite. “Metabolically one step before tretinoin, it offers similar benefits but in a gentler, more stabilized form that is perfect for sensitive skin, including the hands,” says Dr. Gohara. “It smooths fine lines and brightens tone without peeling or redness.” Further buffering the effects of the retinoid are the brand’s signature thermal water (rich in soothing minerals) as well as shea butter and squalane to moisturize and protect.
- Key Ingredients: Retinaldehyde, Avène thermal spring water, shea butter, squalane
- Retinol Concentration: 0.1% retinal
- Size: 30 ml
Best Retinol Alternative: Paume Renewing Hand Serum
- Why We Love It: If retinol isn’t in the cards whether due to sensitive skin or a condition like pregnancy, bakuchiol—a plant-derived alternative—can yield similar results. In this weightless serum, it’s paired with vitamin C and niacinamide to brighten and even out skin tone on the hands, as well as hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate. Keep in mind however that it’s not meant to be a true hand cream, so you may need to follow up with one if you’re seeking moisture.
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, bakuchiol, niacinamide
- Retinol Concentration: Not applicable
- Size: 60 ml
Best for Experienced Retinol Users: Beauty Pie Super Retinol Anti-Aging Hand Cream
- Why We Love It: Even though this formula contains an encapsulated form of retinol—meaning it’s a bit gentler—the potent (and relatively high) 1% concentration of retinol makes this ideal for those who want to step up an existing routine. It does contain hydrating ingredients (derived from sugars) to draw in moisture, but it’s truly meant to deliver faster brightening and smoothing results than its milder counterparts.
- Key Ingredients: Retinol, shea butter, soybean oil, glycerin
- Retinol Concentration: 1.0%
- Size: 75 ml
Best Fast-Absorbing: Naturium Retinol Body Lotion
- Why We Love It: Part of the appeal of this retinol body lotion is that you can use it head to toe—and not just on the hands. But it’s also a true moisturizer, pairing retinol with allantoin (to calm) as well as shea butter, safflower seed oil, and other nourishing ingredients. Despite that, it’s non-greasy and quick to absorb, leaving skin with a glow that lasts.
- Key Ingredients: Retinol, allantoin, shea butter, safflower seed oil
- Retinol Concentration: Not disclosed
- Size: 234 ml
Best for Sun Spots: Paula’s Choice Retinol Skin-Smoothing Body Lotion Treatment
- Why We Love It: This silky body lotion checks a lot of boxes. Rather than serving as just a hand cream with retinol, Paula’s Choice Retinol Skin-Smoothing Body Lotion Treatment is also brimming with antioxidants (like vitamins C and E) as well as moisturizers (among them grapeseed and evening primrose oils) to thoroughly rejuvenate and repair the hands. And, of course, you can use it elsewhere to tighten and brighten skin all over.
- Key Ingredients: Retinol, vitamin C, vitamin E, shea butter
- Retinol Concentration: 0.1%
- Size: 118 ml
Best for Dry Hands: Odacité Retinol Therapy Renewing Hand Cream
- Why We Love It: Geared specifically towards signs of aging skin, this comprehensive hand cream pairs retinoids with peptides and polyhydroxy acid, offering a powerful antidote to thinning skin, crepiness, and dark spots alike. But it still functions as a comforting cream, thanks to a blend of hyaluronic acid, avocado oil, and oatmeal—making it a good option for cooler weather or especially dry skin.
- Key Ingredients: Retinyl palmitate, retinol, polyhydroxy acid, niacinamide, avocado oil, hyaluronic acid
- Retinol Concentration: Not disclosed
- Size: 50 ml
Everything You Need to Know
Does using retinol on hands work?
Using a hand cream with retinol really does work to improve the look of your hands. In fact, “retinol is one of the most effective topical ingredients for reversing signs of aging on the hands, which often reveal age even faster than the face,” says Dr. Gohara. “Think of it as a molecular personal trainer for your skin cells, encouraging them to renew and build collagen.”
That said, retinol doesn’t work alone to improve signs of mature skin. Since sun damage is such a major contributor to signs of aging—especially on the hands, which are more exposed than other areas of the body—sunscreen on the hands is important to see results. “Even the best retinol will not work if you are not protecting your skin from excessive sun exposure,” says Dr. Castilla.
What are the benefits of retinol?
Retinol can do a lot in a hand cream for all skin types. “Retinol helps fade hyperpigmentation, smooth crepiness, and stimulate collagen for a firmer look,” says Dr. Gohara. “It also improves overall tone and skin texture, giving the skin a more even and youthful appearance.” That means it can address brown spots and wrinkly, crepey skin on the hands.
However, the one thing retinol can’t do is increase volume. “As we age, the fat pads in our hands shrink, making the tendons, bones, and veins more visible,” says Dr. Castilla. In that case, only injectable fillers, like hyaluronic acid or calcium hydroxyapatite, can plump the area and restore that contour.
Are there any downsides to using retinol on your hands?
As with using retinol products elsewhere, it’s important to complement retinol with ample moisture. “Because the skin on the hands is thinner and exposed to constant washing and UV light, retinol can sometimes cause irritation or dryness, especially at first,” says Dr. Gohara. To minimize this, start slowly: Use it once a week for one week, twice a week for two weeks, and then increase it from there, she says. Depending on the formula, you may want to apply a separate, thicker hand cream to minimize irritation and support the skin barrier.
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity estheticians—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to hand creams with retinol we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, texture, retinol concentration, finish, and the skin care concerns they address. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
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