You might already be using retinoids, which are vitamin A derivatives, on your face and neck—but there’s a good reason to bring them down to your hands, too. This powerful ingredient, a favorite among dermatologists and beauty editors, helps speed up cell renewal and boost collagen production, which can smooth out wrinkles and fade dark spots.
That makes it especially useful in a hand cream, since hands often show early signs of aging like thinning skin, discoloration, and loss of firmness. According to Dr. Carmen Castilla, a board-certified dermatologist in New York, “People invest a lot in their facial skin but often forget about the backs of their hands.” So, it might be time to add a retinol hand cream to your routine right away. Here are some top picks.
Best Overall: Nécessaire The Hand Retinol
Price: $38 at Amazon or Nordstrom
Why we love it: Nécessaire was one of the first to put retinol in body lotion, and now they’ve made a hand cream with the same care. This formula uses encapsulated retinol for a gentle, gradual release, along with alpha hydroxy acids to brighten and smooth skin over time.
Key ingredients: Retinol, glycolic acid, mandelic acid, niacinamide
Retinol concentration: 0.25%
Size: 65 mL
Best Drugstore: Dove Pro-Retinol + Firming Cream Serum
Price: $11 at Amazon
Why we love it: Though it’s made for the whole body, this formula works wonderfully on hands. It contains a mild form of retinol with nourishing emollients, making it safe for daily use. It hydrates and rejuvenates, leaving hands smoother and more even-toned. Plus, it’s lightweight and absorbs quickly.
Key ingredients: Pro-retinol, collagen peptides, niacinamide
Retinol concentration: Not disclosed
Size: 8 oz.
Best Scent: Soft Services Theraplush “Hold” Overnight Repair Treatment
Price: $62 at Soft Services
Why we love it: This version has a warm, subtle scent that sets it apart. It combines retinol with colloidal oatmeal to lighten age spots and deeply moisturize. The elegant, refillable jar dispenses just the right amount, turning hand care into a soothing bedtime ritual.
Editor’s experience: “The beautiful packaging encourages me to use it every night. The scent is cozy, and the formula keeps my hands soft and smooth, even in winter.” —Deanna Pai, Vogue contributor
Key ingredients: Retinol, colloidal oatmeal, panthenol
Retinol concentration: 0.05%
Size: 50 ml
Best for Sensitive Skin: Avène Retrinal Intensive MAvène Retrinal Intensive Multi-Corrective Cream – $68 at Amazon
Why We Love It: If you’re concerned about the drying effects of retinoids, retinaldehyde (also called retinal) is a great alternative. Dr. Gohara explains that it’s just one step away from tretinoin in how your body processes it, providing similar advantages but in a milder, more stable formula ideal for sensitive skin, even on hands. It helps soften fine lines and brighten skin tone without causing peeling or redness. To further reduce any potential irritation, the cream includes Avène’s signature thermal water, which is packed with calming minerals, along with shea butter and squalane to hydrate and shield the skin.
Key Ingredients: Retinaldehyde, Avène thermal spring water, shea butter, squalane
Retinol Concentration: 0.1% retinal
Size: 30 ml
Best Retinol Alternative: Paume Renewing Hand Serum – $42 at Amazon, $43 at Paume
Why We Love It: For those who can’t use retinol due to sensitive skin or reasons like pregnancy, bakuchiol—a plant-based substitute—can deliver comparable outcomes. This lightweight serum combines bakuchiol with vitamin C and niacinamide to brighten and even out hand skin tone, plus hyaluronic acid to add volume and moisture. Note that it’s not a traditional hand cream, so you might want to apply a moisturizer on top if hydration is your goal.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, bakuchiol, niacinamide
Retinol Concentration: Not applicable
Size: 60 ml
Best for Experienced Retinol Users: Beauty Pie Super Retinol Anti-Aging Hand Cream – $25 at Beauty Pie
Why We Love It: This formula features an encapsulated retinol, which makes it slightly gentler, but with a strong 1% concentration, it’s best for those looking to enhance their current skincare routine. It includes hydrating sugar-derived ingredients to attract moisture, but its main purpose is to deliver quicker brightening and smoothing effects compared to milder options.
Key Ingredients: Retinol, shea butter, soybean oil, glycerin
Retinol Concentration: 1.0%
Size: 75 ml
Best Fast-Absorbing: Naturium Retinol Body Lotion – $21 (25% off from $28) at Amazon
Why We Love It: This retinol body lotion is versatile enough for use all over, not just on hands. It’s a genuine moisturizer, blending retinol with allantoin to soothe, plus shea butter, safflower seed oil, and other nourishing components. Despite its richness, it absorbs quickly without a greasy feel, leaving skin with a lasting radiance.
Key Ingredients: Retinol, allantoin, shea butter, safflower seed oil
Retinol Concentration: Not disclosed
Size: 234 ml
Best for Sun Spots: Paula’s Choice Retinol Skin-Smoothing Body Lotion Treatment – $32 at Amazon
Why We Love It: This smooth body lotion is a multi-tasker. Beyond being a hand cream with retinol, it’s loaded with antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, and moisturizers like grapeseed and evening primrose oils to fully renew and repair hands. You can also use it on other areas to firm and brighten skin overall.
Key Ingredients: Retinol, vitamin C, vitamin E, shea butter
Retinol Concentration: 0.1%
Size: 118 ml
Best for Dry Hands: Odacité Retinol Therapy Renewing Hand Cream – $45 at Bluemercury
Why We Love It: Designed specifically for aging skin, this all-in-one hand cream combines retinoids with peptides and polyhydroxy acid to effectively address thinning skin, crepiness, and dark spots. It still feels comforting, thanks to hyaluronic acid, avocado oil, and oatmeal, making it suitable for cold weather or very dry skin.
Key Ingredients: Retinyl palmitate, retinol, polyhydroxy acid, niacinamide, avocado oil, hyaluronic acid
Retinol Concentration: Not disclosed
Size: 50 ml
Everything You Need to Know About Using Retin…Does retinol work on hands?
Using a hand cream with retinol is effective for improving the appearance of your hands. Dr. Gohara explains that retinol is one of the best topical ingredients for reducing signs of aging on the hands, which often show age more quickly than the face. She describes it as a “molecular personal trainer” for your skin cells, promoting renewal and collagen production.
However, retinol alone isn’t enough to address mature skin. Since sun damage is a major cause of aging—especially on the hands, which are frequently exposed—using sunscreen on your hands is crucial for seeing results. Dr. Castilla emphasizes that even the best retinol won’t work if you don’t protect your skin from excessive sun exposure.
What are the benefits of retinol?
Retinol offers multiple benefits in a hand cream for all skin types. According to Dr. Gohara, it helps fade dark spots, smooth out crepey skin, and boost collagen for a firmer look. It also evens out skin tone and texture, giving hands a more youthful appearance. This means it can target brown spots and wrinkly, thin skin on the hands.
That said, retinol can’t add volume. Dr. Castilla notes that as we age, the fat pads in our hands diminish, making tendons, bones, and veins more prominent. In such cases, only injectable fillers like hyaluronic acid or calcium hydroxyapatite can plump the area and restore contour.
Are there any downsides to using retinol on your hands?
As with retinol use elsewhere, it’s important to pair it with plenty of moisture. Dr. Gohara points out that the skin on the hands is thinner and constantly exposed to washing and UV light, which can lead to irritation or dryness, especially initially. To reduce this, start slowly: use it once a week for the first week, twice a week for two weeks, and gradually increase from there. Depending on the product, you might also apply a thicker hand cream to soothe irritation and support your skin barrier.
How We Tested
Our product testing and reviews take a comprehensive approach to provide well-rounded recommendations. We rely on Vogue’s network of experts, including board-certified dermatologists and celebrity estheticians, to identify top products that professionals actually use. We combine their insights with our editorial standards to create the thoughtful selections you see on our site.
For retinol hand creams, we evaluated them based on ingredients, texture, retinol concentration, finish, and the skin concerns they address. We tested each formula personally, combined with expert advice and user feedback, to determine which ones to recommend.
Meet The Experts
– Dr. Carmen Castilla, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York, NY
– Dr. Mona Gohara, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New Haven, CT
– Dr. Howard Sobel, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon based in New York
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of helpful and naturalsounding FAQs about the top retinol hand creams
Beginner General Questions
1 What is retinol and why is it in hand cream
Retinol is a form of Vitamin A that encourages skin cell renewal In hand cream it helps to fade sun spots smooth out fine lines and improve skin texture on your hands
2 What are the main benefits of using a retinol hand cream
The main benefits are reducing the appearance of age spots diminishing wrinkles and fine lines and improving overall skin firmness and tone on the back of your hands
3 My hands look older than the rest of me Can this really help
Yes absolutely Our hands are constantly exposed to sun and environmental damage without the same protection we give our faces Retinol hand creams specifically target this accumulated damage to help your hands look more youthful
4 How is a retinol hand cream different from a regular hand lotion
Regular hand lotions focus primarily on moisturizing to relieve dryness Retinol hand creams contain active ingredients that not only moisturize but also actively work to repair sun damage and reverse signs of aging
5 When is the best time to apply retinol hand cream
The best time is at night Retinol can break down in sunlight making it less effective and your skins natural repair process is most active while you sleep
Usage Practical Tips
6 How often should I use it when starting out
If youre new to retinol start by applying the cream 23 times a week You can gradually increase to every other night and then to nightly use as your skin builds tolerance
7 Do I need to use sunscreen on my hands during the day
Yes this is crucial Retinol makes your skin more sensitive to the sun Always apply a broadspectrum sunscreen to your hands every morning to protect them and prevent new sun spots from forming
8 What if my skin gets irritated or dry
This is a common side effect often called retinization If it happens scale back to using the cream just once or twice a week Always follow up with a rich simple moisturizer to combat dryness and ensure youre only