Whether masking is an absolutely vital part of the skin care process is relative to the person. Some of us are happy to cleanse, tone and moisturize, and others prefer throwing serums, eye creams and futuristic tools — like an LED mask — into the mix. Personally, we count ourselves part of the group that believes the unnecessarily extra but ultimately beneficial parts of our routine are what make it worth doing. And more often than not, hand masks make the cut.
No, they’re not nearly as popular as the ones we put on our face, but come winter, are they not a little slice of hydrating heaven? When you’ve washed your hands dozens of times to avoid catching the office cold, braved the snow to grab lunch and touched the gross subway railing daily, your hands are left dryer than sandpaper. Yes, there are also hand creams to grab when in between hand washes, but rarely do they offer the kind of moisture that truly lasts all day. In other words, we just gave you an excuse to put down the phone, throw on some mitts and pretend you’re in the middle of a spa living your best life.
Ahead, the best and mostly cost-effective hand masks to keep in your bathroom this winter and beyond.
Our mission at SheKnows is to empower and inspire women, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.
Originally posted on StyleCaster.
Aveeno Repairing Cica Hand Mask
Cica, short for cicatrisation, refers to the process in which tissue under the skin repairs itself after injury. By confining your hands to these masks for 10 minutes, you’re intensifying that process with the help of moisturizing ingredients like glycerin and shea butter.
Aveeno Repairing Cica Hand Mask, $3.49 at Walgreens
Nails Inc. Thirsty Hands Super Hydrating Hand Mask
Made with lighter plant extracts and rich shea butter, the insides of these decorative hand masks work to smooth and hydrate chapped hands.
Nails Inc. Thirsty Hands Super Hydrating Hand Mask, $8 at Sephora
Dr.Jart+ Dermask Hand Hydrating Mask
In addition to a specially formulated essence for softening hands, there’s also a phytokeratin ingredient for treating the cuticles and nail beds.
Dr.Jart+ Dermask Hand Hydrating Mask, $12 at Sephora
Le Mini Macaron Hand Mask in Sweet Mandarin
This food-grade hand mask softens the hands using a tasty mix of mandarin orange, fig and ginkgo biloba extracts.
Hand mask in Sweet Mandarin, $4.99 at Le Mini Macaron
Karuna Age-Defying+ Hand Mask
A mask and serum in one that can be best described as a much-needed spa appointment just for your dry, chapped hands.
Karuna Age-Defying+ Hand Mask, $9.50 at Ulta
Patchology Perfect Ten Self-Warming Hand & Cuticle Mask
Using a unique insulation system, these hand mitts create a heat barrier as you slip them on. Once you’re warmed up, a mix of macadamia oil, shea butter and rose hip oil work to restore and hydrate ultra-dry skin.
Patchology Perfect Ten Self-Warming Hand & Cuticle Mask, $10 at Ulta
Lush Golden Handshake Hot Hand Mask
Though this isn’t a paper mask, the avocado and argan oil mixture does thicken once mixed with water, creating a creamy lotion that can sit on the hands for up to 15 minutes.
Lush Golden Handshake Hot Hand Mask, $4.95 at Lush
Starskin Nourishing Double Layer Hand Mask Gloves
Made with a whopping 16 botanicals and rich shea butter, this double-layer mask creates a warming effect so the ingredients can melt into the skin.
Starskin Nourishing Double Layer Hand Mask Gloves, $5.99 at Amazon
Dermovia Dry Mask Waterless Hand Mask
No sticky residue to be found in these mitts, made with over 80 percent active ingredients to hydrate and penetrate your outer layers for more lasting results.
Dry Mask Waterless Hand Mask, $20 at Dermovia
Nannette de Gaspé Restorative Techstile Masque
There’s a reason this one is on the pricier end. Ninety-four percent natural, dermatologically tested and paraben-free, its ingredients list is a dream team of healing hydrators. They include tetrapeptides for promoting even skin tone, a slew of butters for replenishing dry skin and water-based extracts for giving the skin’s cell turnover a little nudge.
Restorative Techstile Masque, $75 at Nannette de Gaspé
Leave a Comment