10 Best Hand Masks UK 2024 | Aveeno, Neutrogena and More
Whether it's manicures or sparkly rings, we love it when our hands look their best. Yet, our poor hands don't receive nearly enough love. Exposed to all weather conditions and washed multiple times a day, from typing to sewing and gardening - almost everything we do involves our hands, which is why a hand mask makes for a much needed treatment!
We've created this buying guide to help you find a hand mask that really works, ranking the top 10 best treatment gloves and overnight creams in the UK. With tips on how to tell a moisturising hand mask for dry skin, from nourishing serums to reverse visible signs of ageing, read on for our favourites from Aveeno, Sephora and more available on Boots and Amazon.
Quick List - Top Hand Masks
Starskin
Deeply Moisturising Spa-Like Hand Treatment
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Table of Contents
- What Is a Hand Mask?
- How to Choose a Hand Mask in the UK - Buying Guide
- Decide Between Creams or Gloves1
- Check the Label for Key Ingredients to Combat Your Specific Skin Issue2
- Choose a Cream-Based Mask to Avoid Oily, Greasy Skin3
- Fragranced Hand Masks Leave a Pleasant Smell, but Should Be Avoided if You Have Sensitive Skin4
What Is a Hand Mask?
Many of us use face masks, foot masks, and even hair masks, but hand masks often get forgotten. Our hands are probably the most used part of our bodies. Almost anything we do puts stress on our hands, and they're often not given the care they deserve.
Our hands are incredibly susceptible to ageing, blisters, and wrinkles as they're almost constantly exposed to sun damage, cold winds and hard water. Even just washing them multiple times a day in the bathroom could be having a lasting effect.
It's pretty simple really, hand masks are just like face masks, but for your hands! A hand mask will sit on your skin for around 10 - 20 minutes, trapping in the nutrients and moisture within the serum, allowing it to soak deep into the layers of your skin. They moisturise, hydrate and can even reduce signs of ageing, leaving your hands feeling smooth, plump and well cared for.
How to Choose a Hand Mask in the UK - Buying Guide
In this section, we'll discuss the main points to consider when shopping for your hand mask. From how to choose between gloves and tubes, to the essential ingredients to look out for, and a few additional shopping tips, read on to find out more!
Decide Between Creams or Gloves
Most hand masks come in glove form, but there are a few available that come in a pot or tube, just like a moisturiser. To make an informed decision, in this section we'll go over the pros and cons of each.
Gloves Mean Less Mess
Gloves are the most common form of hand masks, and if you've ever worn foot masks, you'll know how they feel as they are essentially the same thing. The gloves are already lined with product, so you just need to slip them on and wait for them to do their magic.
Glove masks are perfect for fidgety people, as they protect any product from rubbing off if you touch things or move during the treatment, eliminating any mess that might occur if you weren't wearing a protective layer.
Whilst you can get some budget-friendly options, disposable hand mask gloves often end up costing you more in the long run than if you bought a tub. Check to see how many masks you get per pack to weigh up the value, some are even reusable, so be sure to factor that in too!
Pots or Tubes Are More Expensive but Last Longer
Other type hand masks come in a pot or tube. These are generally a bit more expensive than buying a pack of disposable gloves, but the pot will last you much longer, meaning you actually save money overall.
The downside of buying a tub is that you will need to sit very still while you wait for the product to sink in, so that it doesn't rub off. That said, you could use your own gloves, or big fluffy socks as protection.
As with any skincare product, there will be a use-by date. So if you buy a tub of cream, make sure you can use it up before the time runs out!
Check the Label for Key Ingredients to Combat Your Specific Skin Issue
What is the main issue you would like to address with a mask for your hands? Whether your skin is dry, ageing or dehydrated, there are specific ingredients that you should look out for. In this section let's look at the most common issues, and which ingredients will help solve them.
Moisturising Ingredients Help Dry Skin Maintain Softness and Elasticity
Moisturising and hydrating are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same. If the skin on your hands feels dry and flaky, it probably lacks moisture. Choosing a hand mask with moisturising ingredients will smooth the skin, plumping up the surface, and providing a fuller appearance.
Seek out hand masks that contain occlusives and emollients to prevent moisture loss from the skin. Common ingredients to look out for are butters such as shea butter, waxes such as beeswax or carnauba wax, oils including camellia oil, jojoba oil and coconut oil, and silicone.
Dehydrated Skin Needs Ingredients That Lock in Moisture
For hands with dehydrated skin, look for products that contain humectants. These increase the water content in your skin by attracting water molecules from the air and from within the skin's deeper layers, bringing them to the outer surface.
Common humectant ingredients are butylene glycol, glycerin, dicyanamide, urea, tremella extract, sorbitol and sodium lactate. There are also natural ingredients that work the same way, such as hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, honey, seaweed, and alpha hydroxy acid - which is naturally found in milk and fruit.
Anti-Ageing Ingredients Help Smooth Out Fine Lines
If the skin on your hands is starting to lose its youthful glow, pick a mask with restorative ingredients to promote skin cell regeneration and brighten dark spots and uneven skin tone. Look out for retinoids such as retinol or retinoic acid, which reduces fine lines and wrinkles, and peptides to stimulate collagen production and improve texture.
Other ingredients to look for are hydroxy acids such as glycolic acid, citric acid and lactic acid. These ingredients exfoliate the skin, which helps improve absorption and stimulates cell regrowth. And lastly, Vitamin C, which helps protect the skin from further damage.
Sensitive and Irritated Hands Need Soothing Ingredients
Sensitive skin that's prone to irritation, redness and skin conditions like eczema or rosacea are often inflamed, can have open wounds and are severely dry or patchy. These sensitivities are usually the most prevalent on hands as we use them so much and wash them multiple times throughout the day.
Ingredients especially suited to sensitive skin are lavender, rose, and chamomile, which help to soothe the skin, heal wounds and create a soft protective layer. Green tea and grapeseed extracts are also filled with antioxidants that help reduce inflammation, while oats are a great way to combat irritated, itchy and inflamed skin.
Choose a Cream-Based Mask to Avoid Oily, Greasy Skin
When it comes to hand masks, you don't want your skin to be left in an oily, greasy state. Oils take much longer to absorb into the layers of your skin, so if you want to use your hands straight after the treatment, it's best to opt for a cream-based formula that will absorb quickly.
Products containing cocoa butter are a better option than honey or shea butter, which can be a bit greasy. It's an even better idea to try to look for water-based products, rather than creams, if you're looking to avoid greasy hand, as these are the least likely to contain oils.
Fragranced Hand Masks Leave a Pleasant Smell, but Should Be Avoided if You Have Sensitive Skin
Hand masks can come in a lovely array of fragrances, whether it's synthetic or natural, but both can cause issues if you have sensitive skin. When it comes to synthetic fragrances, we really don't know what has been used to create them, as the label will only state 'fragrance' or 'perfume', so these should definitely be avoided if you have sensitivities.
That might make you think that natural fragrances are better, and in some cases, they are, such as rose extract or natural honey. But, be careful of products that contain large doses of essential oils as these too can irritate the skin.
Top 10 Best Hand Masks in the UK
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Seoulista Rosey Hands Instant Manicure | | Moisturising, Hydrating and Anti-Ageing | |
2 | Al'iver Hand Repair Collagen Infused Glove | | Collagen-Infused Mask for Ageing Hands | |
3 | Aveeno Repairing CICA Hand Mask | | Fragrance and Paraben-Free Mask for Sensitive Skin | |
4 | Starskin Nourishing Double-Layer Hand Mask Gloves｜Hollywood Hand Model | | Deeply Moisturising Spa-Like Hand Treatment | |
5 | Sephora Aloe Vera Hand Mask | | Soothing Hand Masks for Sensitive Skin | |
6 | Rituals Night Rescue Hand Mask｜The Ritual of Jing | | Relaxing Fragranced Mask for Your Hands Before Bed | |
7 | Nails Inc Thirsty Hands | | Packed With Vitamin E and Botanical Extracts | |
8 | 7th Heaven Soften Glove Masques | | The Affordable, All-Natural Mask | |
9 | Neutrogena Intensive CICA-Repair Hand Mask | | Lock in Moisture for 48 Hours | |
10 | Holika Holika Baby Silky Hand Mask Sheet | | Water-Based Hand Masks Packed With Vitamins |
Moisturising, Hydrating and Anti-Ageing
Our number one choice, these hand masks from Seoulista are perfect for soothing and hydrating dry skin. The formula contains a beautiful blend of anti-ageing ingredients, including vitamin C and their own rejuvenating beauty serum, which works to fade dark spots and reduce fine lines.
The formula also contains beeswax to help lock in all of those delicious ingredients, so that the mask will continue to work its magic even after the gloves have been pulled off.Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, this mask is paraben, mineral oil, and sulphate free, and dermatologically tested too!
Collagen-Infused Mask for Ageing Hands
Al'iver's hand masks are infused with collagen to help reduce visible signs of ageing, such as the wrinkles and fine lines that can begin to appear on our hands. The formula also contains a host of vitamins and botanical extracts to sooth dry and cracked skin.
Excellent value for money, you get four pairs per pack. And they have been dermatologically tested, so you can rest assured that they will be safe for sensitive skin.
Fragrance and Paraben-Free Mask for Sensitive Skin
The repairing CICA hand mask from Aveeno only needs 10 minutes for it to work its magic, leaving your skin feeling super soft and hydrated. The formula contains a soothing blend of prebiotic oat and shea butter, which balances the skin's moisture content, making it great for anyone with exceptionally dry hands.
Best of all, it's fragrance-free and doesn't contain any parabens. This makes it a gentle option for sensitive or problematic skin. It has even been shown to be a soothing mask for treating eczema.
StarskinNourishing Double-Layer Hand Mask Gloves ｜ Hollywood Hand Model
Deeply Moisturising Spa-Like Hand Treatment
The Hollywood Hand Model masks from Starskin are an excellent choice if you're after a particularly moisturising hand treatment. The Starskin formula is infused with a rich moisturising serum blended with 16 different botanicals including shea butter and multiple plant-based oils.
The gloves are made with a double layer which helps the rich blend of ingredients really sink in. After just 15 minutes, your hands will be super soft and silky to the touch. This formula also works to condition the cuticles too, leaving your hands feeling like they've just been to the spa.
Soothing Hand Masks for Sensitive Skin
This Aloe Vera hand mask from Sephora is a great choice for anyone with sensitive skin. That's because the anti-inflammatory properties of Aloe Vera have been shown to calm all sorts of skin conditions, including sunburn and eczema.
These masks don't only promise to soften the skin, but will keep your hands feeling soft for up to 2 weeks, meaning just two treatments a month will have your hands practically glowing. They even have a cute and cheerful Aloe Vera plant design!
Relaxing Fragranced Mask for Your Hands Before Bed
Unlike the other options on our list, this hand mask from Rituals comes in a tube rather than as disposable gloves. Add this luxurious hand mask to your night-time routine by massaging the product into your hands before bed. It's a water-based formula, so you can be sure that it won't leave you sleeping with greasy hands.
With relaxing fragrances of wood and lavender, this calming mask is perfect for helping you reach the land of nod. Glycerin and sunflower seed oil ensure it's super hydrating. Plus, it contains citric acid, which is excellent for helping to combat wrinkles.
Packed With Vitamin E and Botanical Extracts
The Thirsty Hands mask from Nails Inc comes with some stellar reviews, with many fans agreeing that these gloves made their hands feel softer. Being a water-based formula, this mask won't leave your hands feeling greasy after use, and with the second ingredient being glycerin, you know it'll help lock in moisture.
The formula also contains shea butter to soften hard skin and a super blend of botanical extracts. In particular, rose, anise, grape, lemon, orange, apple and olive, which contain plenty of of vitamin E.
The Affordable, All-Natural Mask
The hand mask from 7th Heaven is one of the most highly-rated masks on Amazon, with over 550 reviews. The formula is all-natural, with vitamins derived from plant extracts such as goji berry, seaweed and rose petal, which help to soothe the skin whilst providing essential moisture.
Unfortunately, these masks aren't suitable for broken, sensitive or infected skin. The formula also contains ingredients such as Argan oil and shea butter, which is highly moisturising, but can be a little greasy.
Lock in Moisture for 48 Hours
Containing only one pair per pack, the Intensive CICA- Repair hand mask from Neutrogena is one of the most expensive on this list. But is it worth it? Taking only 10 minutes to work, the intensely moisturising formula forms a protective layer around the skin, locking in the ingredients for 48 hours.
They are also suitable for sensitive skin types and those with exceptionally dry or damaged skin. That said, the reviews are a mixed bag, with some claiming they were left with beautifully soft hands after one use, and others feeling like they didn't work that well at all.
Water-Based Hand Masks Packed With Vitamins
These water-based hand masks from Holika Holika are filled with all the major ingredients you'd want in a hand mask. These include glycerin to lock in moisture, shea butter and avocado oil to soften skin, and honey extract and milk proteins for improved moisturisation.
The formula also contains natural vitamin-packed botanicals to soothe the skin, including chamomile and aloe vera. However, this product does contain alcohol, parabens, and fragrances, so it may not be suitable for sensitive or cracked skin.
Top 5 Hand Masks
No. 1: Seoulista｜Rosey Hands Instant Manicure
No. 2: Al'iver｜Hand Repair Collagen Infused Glove
No. 3: Aveeno｜Repairing CICA Hand Mask
No. 4: Starskin｜Nourishing Double-Layer Hand Mask Gloves｜Hollywood Hand Model
No. 5: Sephora｜Aloe Vera Hand Mask
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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