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10 Best Korean Hand Creams of 2024 (Dermatologist-Reviewed)

The Korean wave (also known as the Hallyu wave) is now a global phenomenon! We see it everywhere - Korean dramas, K-pop, and even in cosmetics and skincare. One of the most loved Korean products is hand creams! Just like our face, our hands need moisture and nourishment too. You use your hands every day for all kinds of activities, so why not pamper them? 


That's what inspired us to do our research and find the top 10 Korean hand creams beloved by many. Right on top of that list is Etude House’s Missing U Hand Cream - its lightweight formula hydrates your hands, and the packaging is adorable! Scroll down and check what other hand creams made it on the list. While you’re at it, read our buying guide to help you decide which one to choose!

Last updated 03/18/2024
Dr. Lauren Levy
Expert
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. Lauren Levy

Dr. Levy is a board certified dermatologist practicing in NYC and Westport, Connecticut. She has expertise in treating inflammatory skin conditions like acne, rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis. She has an interest in skincare and takes a personalized approach to all of her patients.

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Table of Contents

How to Choose a Korean Hand Cream - Buying Guide

There are a lot of Korean hand creams available in the market, but how do you know which one's for you? Here are three things to keep in mind when choosing a Korean hand cream!

1

Keep in Mind Your Skin Type

Choosing the right products for your hands is much like choosing the right products for your face. Everyone has unique skincare needs, so some products might work well with certain skin types more than others. So, it's important to know your skin and what it needs!

Glycerin Helps Hydrate Dry and Rough Hands

Glycerin Helps Hydrate Dry and Rough Hands

The main factors that can affect the dryness of our hands are our everyday activities. Our hands are constantly exposed to chemicals and the sun, which can cause damage. Water is known to be naturally drying, so even the simple activity of washing the dishes can cause hand dryness.


Another factor that affects the dryness of our hands is our environment, which includes the climate and temperature. For example, people living in dry climates may need a hand cream that's deeply moisturizing. 


If your hands are in a good condition and you don't deal with activities that can be harsh on the hands, you can go for a lightweight formula. These will nourish and hydrate your hands without feeling overly greasy. If you need more moisture, go for a thicker hand cream!


To hydrate your hands, you should increase their moisture content. Look for ingredients like glycerin, urea, or hyaluronic acid. Make sure to apply hand cream on your hands regularly to hydrate and rejuvenate your dry hands! 

Dr. Lauren Levy
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. Lauren Levy

For calluses, look for a cream with urea. Urea will help thin out the keratin build-up and the rough skin. Hyaluronic acid is great for immediate hydration and can be used liberally throughout the day after washing. 


It will also help keep the skin looking young since it has a plumping effect. For hands affected by dermatitis, look for ceramides in your cream. The ceramides will help repair the skin barrier and prevent water loss through the skin

Fatty Substances Restore and Soothe Chapped Hands

Fatty Substances Restore and Soothe Chapped Hands

The skin on our hands is thin and fragile, so it can get damaged easily when exposed to harmful chemicals, detergents, or soaps. Sometimes these substances cannot be avoided, which causes our hands to get chapped.


If you deal with hands that are cracked, it is important to look for a product that can repair your skin. Opt for hand creams with fatty substances that will help you restore your skin and soothe any discomfort.


Some ingredients to look for are ceramides, shea butter, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, and other vegetable oils. These ingredients can help heal your hands! Also, look out for healing and soothing aloe vera if you are dealing with cracks and wounds.

Dr. Lauren Levy
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. Lauren Levy

If your hands are chapped, then choose a greasy, oil-based product. Chapped hands with fissures on the fingers (deep painful linear cuts) can become very painful when in contact with certain products.

Ointments or oil-based products are not as irritating to open skin or skin with an active rash. Once the rash improves, you can go back to a cream or lotion.

Choose a Gentle, Fragrance-Free Hand Cream for Sensitive Hands

Choose a Gentle, Fragrance-Free Hand Cream for Sensitive Hands

The skin on our hands is naturally sensitive and thin, but some of us have extra sensitive skin. People with sensitive skin have a delicate skin barrier that easily allows irritants to absorb into the skin. This often results in redness, itching, or stinging.


If you are prone to this, it might be better to go for hand creams without fragrance, artificial ingredients, and strong essential oils. Finding a hand cream that's gentle enough for your sensitive skin will lessen any redness and discomfort. It can even prevent issues like psoriasis and eczema from being aggravated.


If you know what causes your skin to react, make sure to read the ingredient list carefully and pay close attention to how the product was made. Go for products that are dermatologist-tested, allergy-free, and natural! It's always a good idea to do a patch test, too. 

Dr. Lauren Levy
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. Lauren Levy

If you have eczema, then choosing a fragrance-free product is a must. Look for creams with the least amount of preservatives or additives as these can flare eczema. 


Fragrance and scents are a big cause of contact dermatitis, a red, itchy, and burning rash that occurs when your skin comes in contact with a material that you are allergic to. 


Having eczema is a risk factor for developing skin allergies, so to be safe choose something gentle, hypoallergenic, and fragrance-free.

Collagen and Retinol Revitalize Mature Skin

Collagen and Retinol Revitalize Mature Skin

Our hands might show signs of aging before other parts of our body, which is why it is important to moisturize. Using the correct hand cream regularly is the best way to ensure that your hands stay healthy and youthful!


When choosing a cream for mature hands, go for ones that will hydrate them thoroughly. Opt for products with ingredients such as shea butter, collagen, retinol, or niacinamide. These will help keep your skin hydrated and supple.


Another important ingredient to look for is adenosine. Adenosine is proven to have the ability to rejuvenate the surface of the skin to make it look smoother and younger. It is known to have anti-wrinkle benefits, too! 


The sun is another thing that speeds up the aging of our hands, so consider a product with SPF as well.

Dr. Lauren Levy
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. Lauren Levy

The skin on the back of the hand is very thin and exposed to a lot of sun. This is why the hands age quickly with wrinkles and sunspots. 


You should always use SPF on your hands to protect your hands from sun damage. Especially look for a cream with SPF if you also use a retinol product on your hands since these make you more likely to burn.

2

Find a Hand Cream Consistency That Will Fit Your Lifestyle

Find a Hand Cream Consistency That Will Fit Your Lifestyle

Hand creams come in either lightweight or heavy consistencies. Choose a product with a formula that fits your lifestyle and preferences! If you don't have super dry hands and just want to maintain smooth, hydrated hands, it might be better to go for a lightweight cream that you can reapply throughout the day. 


If you have hands that are very dry and damaged, go for a thicker, heavier cream. Thicker creams often have more nourishing ingredients and can provide moisture throughout the day. They make feel a little greasy or take time to absorb, however. 


You can also choose a product based on the season. Heavier hand creams are great for people who live in cold or dry places since thicker products will prevent your hands from getting dry due to the cold. However, people who live in hot and humid places might want to go for lighter creams since they can absorb into the skin quickly!

3

Consider the Different Types of Packaging

Korean hand creams are known to work well and smell great! Not only that, but they also use quality packaging, ranging from adorable animal containers to minimalist tubes.

Choose a Size and Shape That Suits Your Needs

Choose a Size and Shape That Suits Your Needs

Hand creams can vary in size. Do you only need to use hand cream at home, or do you like to carry it with you?


If you want to bring your hand cream on the go, it might be better to go for a small product that can fit in your bag. If you plan to use it at home, go for a bigger container - that way, you won’t have to worry about it running out for a while.


Korean hand creams also come in different types of packaging. Some come in minimalist tubes, while others have fun shapes or feature a character. The choice is up to you - keep it classic with a simple tube or bring some cheer to your day with a colorful animal design!

Dr. Lauren Levy
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. Lauren Levy

Reapplication is the name of the game when it comes to keeping your hands hydrated. With washing, sanitizing, and constantly coming into contact with everything, your hand cream wears off quickly. 


If you have dry skin, you should ideally be applying the cream after every time you wash your hands to restore hydration to the skin that the water removes. Using a greasier, oil-based product will allow for it to stay on longer.

Pick Packaging That's Easy to Use

Pick Packaging That's Easy to Use

When it comes to caps, most Korean hand creams use twist-off caps or flip-top caps. Twist-off caps are easy to use, however, you might lose them since they are completely detached from the tube itself. If you're always losing or dropping small things, it might be better to go for one with a flip-top cap!


There are two main ways to apply hand cream - using a squeeze bottle or scooping it out of a jar. Pots or jars with a screw-top lid require you to scoop out the amount of cream you need with your hands. A squeeze bottle might be better if you are on the go since using hand creams in this type of packaging will be easier and mess-free. 

4

Try a Hand Cream That Does More

Try a Hand Cream That Does More

There are Korean hand creams that do more than just moisturize and rejuvenate your hands. To properly care for our hands and nails, choose a hand cream that can do nourish both! 


If you deal with thin and brittle nails, you might want to go for a hand cream with ingredients that are good for strengthening nails such as shea butter, coconut oil, and jojoba oil, and almond oil!  


Just like our face, our hands need protection from the sun. Opt for a hand cream that has SPF to prevent premature aging, sunburn, and damaged skin!

Was the Buying Guide helpful?

10 Best Korean Hand Creams

Our hands connect us to the world around us, so we need to take care of them! When choosing a product, it is important to consider your skin type and any skin problems you want to address.
Popularity
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Price
Key features
1

Etude House

Missing U Hand Cream

Etude House Missing U Hand Cream 1

$7.00

Low Mid

An Organic Hand Cream for a Great Cause

2

Innisfree

Moisturizing Hand Cream With Olive

Innisfree Moisturizing Hand Cream With Olive 1

$10.54

Mid

Keep Your Hands Hydrated for 24 Hours

3

TonyMoly

I'm Hand Cream4 pack

TonyMoly I'm Hand Cream 1

$24.00

High

Non-Greasy Hand Cream for Everyday Use

4

Dr. Jart+

Ceramidin Hand Cream

Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Hand Cream 1

$23.18

High Mid

Ceramides Hydrate Dry, Sensitive, and Mature Skin

5

TonyMoly

Peach Hand Cream

TonyMoly Peach Hand Cream 1

$12.00

Mid

A Fun and Pleasantly-Fragranced Hand Cream for Dry Hands

6

Benton

Shea Butter and Coconut Hand Cream

Benton Shea Butter and Coconut Hand Cream 1

$11.00

Mid

Shea Butter to Nourish Mature Skin

7

Nature Republic

Aloe Vera Hand Cream

Nature Republic Aloe Vera Hand Cream 1

$11.50

Mid

Aloe Vera Soothes Cracked and Damaged Skin

8

Andalou Naturals

Lime Blossom Hand Cream

Andalou Naturals Lime Blossom Hand Cream 1

$6.99

Low Mid

Organic Coconut Water, Shea Butter, and Cocoa Butter for Healthy Hands and Nails

9

Huxley

Hand Cream Velvet Touch

Huxley Hand Cream Velvet Touch 1

$15.00

High Mid

A Minimalist and Velvety Smooth Hand Cream

10

Ballon Blanc

Hand Lotion Cream3 pack

Ballon Blanc Hand Lotion Cream 1

$8.97

Low Mid

Fast-Absorbing and Long-Lasting Hand Cream

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

Etude HouseMissing U Hand Cream

Missing U Hand Cream 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$7.00
Low Mid
Reference price
$7.00
Low Mid

An Organic Hand Cream for a Great Cause

Etude House's hand creams come in irresistibly cute and fun packaging! They are not only adorable, but they do a great job of hydrating your skin. These hand creams are made up of organic ingredients - a mix of herbs, shea butter, and olive oil.


This hand cream is perfect for all skin types because it's hypoallergenic as well as paraben, sulfate, ethanol, and pigment-free. Plus, it's for a great cause! "Missing U" is a campaign to remind people to protect endangered wild animals. An amount of the profits goes to animal protection associations.


However, some reviewers noted that their hand creams arrived with little or no product. Despite these comments, a lot of people loved the product! They confirmed that the product was lightweight and great for everyday use. They also loved how cute and portable the packaging is!

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No.2

InnisfreeMoisturizing Hand Cream With Olive

Moisturizing Hand Cream With Olive 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$10.54
Mid
Reference price
$10.54
Mid

Keep Your Hands Hydrated for 24 Hours

Olive oil isn't just for cooking! This thick hand cream contains extra virgin olive oil, which has a lot of benefits for skincare. It contains a lot of vitamins and antioxidants that moisturize and nourish the skin. So, this product also can lock in moisture and hydration all day! 


It is also free of parabens, synthetic colorants, and mineral oil, so you don't have to worry about these ingredients that are harsh to the skin. If you're worried about this product smelling like the olive oil you have in your pantry, don't worry! This product has a light citrus smell


Reviewers said it might be a bit greasy in the beginning, but it absorbs pretty quickly. Many people enjoyed this product, saying that it quickly healed their cracked, dry hands in a matter of days!

No.3

TonyMolyI'm Hand Cream4 pack

Reference price
$24.00
High

Non-Greasy Hand Cream for Everyday Use

These hand creams by Tony Moly are gentle yet moisturizing. Their lightweight formula makes them ideal for everyday use. This set comes with four different hand creams: avocado, rose, green tea, and honey.


Each one contains different ingredients that are beneficial to the skin. The avocado cream is enriched with vitamin E to hydrate skin, rose to rejuvenate dry skin, green tea to refresh and soothe your hands, and honey to nourish your hands. 


Since they're very lightweight, you might have to reapply a few times a day. So, if you don't like reapply hand cream, you may want a different product. However, reviewers loved that the cream soaks in quickly and moisturizes their hands well. They also confirmed that it makes their hands much softer! 

No.4

Dr. Jart+Ceramidin Hand Cream

Ceramidin Hand Cream 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$23.18
High Mid

Ceramides Hydrate Dry, Sensitive, and Mature Skin

If you have sensitive or mature skin, this might be the hand cream for you! This medicinal hand cream is easy to spread and is gentle enough for easily irritated skin. You can trust this hand cream to keep your hands moisturized for a long time. 


Not only that, but it also nourishes your skin. It has ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid that increase the moisture in your hands. These ingredients also work as anti-aging agents!


However, some reviewers noted that it can smell a little medicinal, but it's not too overpowering. Others confirmed that this product is full of moisture and isn't oily at all! Those with sensitive skin also said that this doesn't cause irritation.

No.5

TonyMolyPeach Hand Cream

Reference price
$12.00
Mid

A Fun and Pleasantly-Fragranced Hand Cream for Dry Hands

This adorable hand cream is enriched with peach and apricot extracts, as well as shea butter to hydrate and nourish dry skin. It also contains adenosine, an ingredient that aids in preventing premature lines and wrinkles on the hands. 


With this cream, you can get soft, hydrated, and youthful-looking hands. A lot of reviewers loved the peachy smell and the effectiveness of the product. Some mentioned that it was thick without being too heavy on their skin. Instead, it's silky soft and applies easily. The cute peach packaging was a huge hit with users, too! 

No.6

BentonShea Butter and Coconut Hand Cream

Reference price
$11.00
Mid

Shea Butter to Nourish Mature Skin

This hand cream from Benton is highly moisturizing, nourishing, and firming, so it's great for people with dry or mature skin. It is also dermatologist-tested and free of silicone, artificial fragrance, coloring, and other harmful ingredients. It is also cruelty-free!


It contains adenosine, an ingredient that can increase the amount of collagen in the skin. This can make the skin softer and look younger! This product is also enriched with shea butter, which is good for protecting and moisturizing the skin. Not only that, but it also contains coconut oil that helps retain moisture.


Reviewers loved the texture of the product and how it effectively nourished their skin after application. They noted that the product isn't sticky or greasy either!

No.7

Nature RepublicAloe Vera Hand Cream

Aloe Vera Hand Cream 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$11.50
Mid
Reference price
$11.50
Mid

Aloe Vera Soothes Cracked and Damaged Skin

It can be hard to deal with cracked and damaged skin; it can get pretty uncomfortable and itchy! Thankfully, Nature Republic's hand cream might be able to solve your problems. The key ingredient is aloe vera, which can help gently soothe your skin.


Aloe vera is highly effective in healing cracked skin. This product also moisturizes your skin without leaving a sticky or greasy feeling behind. Plus, this hand cream is derived from all-natural ingredients and has a pleasant aloe scent.


Note that some reviewers didn't find it moisturizing enough. However, a lot thought that the cream was lightweight and adorable! It is easy to use and absorbs quickly. They confirmed that it did not feel greasy at all after application.

No.8

Andalou NaturalsLime Blossom Hand Cream

Lime Blossom Hand Cream 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$6.99
Low Mid
Reference price
$6.99
Low Mid

Organic Coconut Water, Shea Butter, and Cocoa Butter for Healthy Hands and Nails

This hand cream contains organic coconut water, shea butter, and cocoa butter, all of which help to hydrate and moisturize your skin. Plus, they are effective in rejuvenating your skin and nails at the same time! This product has a refreshing lime blossom scent, but it's also available in lavender and clementine. 


This product claims to be inspired by nature. Andalou Naturals uses natural products and the science of fruit stem cells to help nourish and soften dry hands. Rest assured that this product is made out of vegan ingredients, and it's both gluten and cruelty-free too!


Reviewers love this product! Some said that it worked well with their dry, sensitive, or eczema-prone skin. Many also found that their nails felt healthier and their skin felt softer and stronger. It's great for people who work with their hands too!

No.9

HuxleyHand Cream Velvet Touch

Hand Cream Velvet Touch 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$15.00
High Mid
Reference price
$15.00
High Mid

A Minimalist and Velvety Smooth Hand Cream

Huxley's hand cream looks super sleek and is velvety-smooth! The product's formula is rich but won't leave you feeling greasy or sticky. It absorbs quickly to leave you with soft skin. 


This hand cream contains green tea oil, rosehip oil, sweet almond oil, and sunflower seed oil. These ingredients help in nourishing, soothing, and moisturizing your skin as well as restoring the skin's PH balance.


However, reviewers said that the product's scent can be overpowering at times. They also said that it might not be moisturizing enough for super dry hands. Other than that, reviewers loved how rich and soothing the product is. They appreciated that it's thick and moisturizing without leaving any greasy residue behind.

No.10

Ballon BlancHand Lotion Cream3 pack

Hand Lotion Cream 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$8.97
Low Mid
Reference price
$8.97
Low Mid

Fast-Absorbing and Long-Lasting Hand Cream

This set of Ballon Blanc hand creams come in a pack of three! They are made with all-natural botanical ingredients that hydrate the skin and offer a pleasant, fresh scent.


These hand creams also claim to be long-lasting and non-greasy. They protect and moisturize your hands from damage that can be caused by detergent, soap, and other environmental factors. 


Reviewers loved how small and handy these hand creams are. They also confirmed that the formula is lightweight and gentle on the skin. Plus, they noted that the small tubes are perfect for carrying in a bag or purse! Users also felt like the sleek packaging and high quality makes this set a great gift idea. 

More Expert Tips for Applying Hand Cream

More Expert Tips for Applying Hand Cream

Want your give your hands an extra boost of moisture? Dr. Levy says, "For extra dry skin or extra hydration, apply your cream at night and wear under cotton gloves. This will allow the product to seep into the skin for maximal hydration and benefit. 


This is something you could do one to three times a week when your hands are very dry or during the winter months when the skin tends to be drier."

Check Out Other Korean Skincare Products!

It's always good to invest in quality skincare products. If you are looking to try something new, why not explore Korean skincare? Korean brands are known to produce some of the best skincare products on the market!

Top 5 Korean Hand Creams

No. 1: Etude HouseMissing U Hand Cream

No. 2: InnisfreeMoisturizing Hand Cream With Olive

No. 3: TonyMolyI'm Hand Cream4 pack

No. 4: Dr. Jart+Ceramidin Hand Cream

No. 5: TonyMolyPeach Hand Cream

View Full Ranking
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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