Hand creams – ingredient lists and INCI analysis

Hand creams are applied to the backs of the hands and fingers several times a day, often after washing. Because they are reapplied so often, many are designed to absorb quickly and leave little residue, while richer balms are aimed at night-time use, sometimes under cotton gloves. Tubes and pumps make them easy to carry.

Nearly every hand cream contains a humectant, most commonly GLYCERIN, sometimes alongside UREA, SODIUM PCA or HYALURONIC ACID. Emollients such as PARAFFINUM LIQUIDUM, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII BUTTER or plant oils follow, and DIMETHICONE is often included for a smooth, non-greasy feel. Fatty alcohols like CETEARYL ALCOHOL and emulsifiers such as GLYCERYL STEARATE build the cream structure.

A high position of GLYCERIN directly after AQUA is typical for this category, while active-sounding extracts are usually present at low levels near the end. Hand creams are leave-on products, so fragrance allergens above 0.001% must be named. Some products carry an SPF, and in that case the UV filters must be listed and come from Annex VI.