When It Comes to Hand Creams, I’m Very Picky
If you’ve read through my other articles, you probably know this already—but when it comes to hand creams, I am very selective. Over the years, I’ve learned that many products marketed as “hydrating” actually do the opposite in the long run.
This post is for anyone who, like me, is looking for hand creams without glycerin, synthetic fragrances, harsh alcohols, or toxic fillers. I’ll also share the specific hand creams I personally use and trust—especially during the dry winter months.
Why I Avoid Glycerin (and Have for Over 7 Years)
I’ve been intentionally avoiding glycerin in my skincare for over seven years now, ever since reading Renegade Beauty by Nadine Artemis. That book completely changed the way I look at conventional beauty ingredients.
Glycerin shows up in almost every lotion and hand cream—often near the top of the ingredient list. And while it’s marketed as a “hydrating” ingredient, there are a few reasons I personally choose to avoid it:
- It’s often used as a filler. Glycerin is inexpensive and widely used to bulk up formulations.
- It’s highly processed. Most glycerin used in skincare is far removed from anything natural.
- It’s a humectant that works temporarily. Glycerin pulls water to the skin’s surface, creating a plumping effect—but this can be misleading.
Over time, glycerin can actually pull moisture out of your skin cells through a process called osmolarity. While your skin may look hydrated at first, long-term use can leave it more depleted and dry.
True hydration means water-filled, nourished skin—not just surface-level plumping.
What I Use Instead: Simple, Oil-Based Hand Creams
Instead of glycerin-heavy lotions, I opt for simple, oil-based hand creams that help lock in moisture—especially after washing my hands.
Some of my favorite nourishing base ingredients include:
- Coconut oil
- Jojoba oil
- Beeswax
- Beef tallow
These ingredients support the skin barrier rather than disrupting it, and a little truly goes a long way.
One More Ingredient I Avoid: Alcohol
Another big no for me is alcohol in hand creams and lotions. Alcohols can dry out the skin, especially when used daily. If you’re already dealing with cracked or winter-dry hands, alcohol-based products often make the problem worse.
My 3 Favorite Glycerin‑Free Hand Creams
All of the hand creams below are:
- Glycerin‑free
- Synthetic fragrance‑free
- Free from harsh chemicals and toxins
- Products I personally use and trust
1. Living Libations – Hooray Hand Cream
This is one of my go-to hand creams during colder months. It’s deeply nourishing, cleanly formulated, and very concentrated—you only need a small amount. One jar lasts a long time.
2. Savanna Rose Soap Peach Butter
I love this brand so much that I actually spoke with the owner myself. She creates her own scents by soaking fresh fruit directly into oils, rather than using synthetic or artificial fragrances. The result is gentle, natural, and truly beautiful.
3. Beeswax Hand Lotion Bars (Etsy Finds)
Solid lotion bars made from beeswax are incredibly effective for sealing in moisture. I’ve used several handmade options from Etsy and love how portable and long‑lasting they are—perfect for dry hands in winter.
A Note on Other Recommendations
The hand creams listed above are ones I’ve personally used and trust. Below are additional links to glycerin‑free options I’ve discovered online but haven’t yet tried myself.
Toups Tallow Balm -Vanilla + Almond
Primally Pure Almond + Vanilla Body Butter
As always, I encourage you to read ingredient labels carefully and listen to your own skin.
Final Thoughts
If you struggle with dry hands and feel like nothing truly works, it might be worth looking beyond conventional lotions. Removing glycerin and alcohol from my routine—and switching to simple, oil‑based formulas—made a noticeable difference for me.
Clean, effective skincare doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Sometimes, simpler really is better.
