Have you ever shaken someone’s hands only to receive a quizzical look in return?
Well, that’s what happened to me as I walked into an old classmate’s wedding 5 years ago. I extended my hands happily to greet her. But as our hands locked up, she sized me up from toe to head, settled on my hands before giving me that quizzical stare.
While I was still locked in astonishment, she drew me aside and opened her pouch and planted a tiny bottle in my hands. It was a travel-size hand cream. Then the whole incident made sense to me.
From that day, I went back and researched deeply about the best travel size hand cream for my skin. I never wanted to go through a second embarrassment.
Here are my top recommendations:
Best 5 Travel Size Hand Cream Reviews
1. Jergens Ultra Healing Extra Dry Skin Moisturizer, 1 Fl Oz (Pack of 24)
From simple ingredients like vitamin C, B5, and E, Jergens forms the powerful hand cream that nourishes the skin from deep within. When you rub it onto your hands, it is quickly absorbed and penetrates the 5 layers of the skin. As a result, it addresses the root cause of dry skin at its source. That’s why it possesses the long-lasting effect of 48 hours following its application.
Does your elbow or knee let you down with persistent cracks? Worry no more because Jergens hand cream moisturizes and softens the usually rough spots like heel, knees, and elbows. It heals such areas thereby leaving behind the nourished healthier look.
If everyday work causes your hands to turn dry and rough, then consider this cream. Owing to its unique Hydralucence formula it changes the texture of the skin into a luminous and visibly appealing tone. Unlike other creams that linger for a longer period on the skin, the Jergens cream gets absorbed into the skin faster.
Even those who are uncomfortable with overpowering scents will find it friendly. That is because it has a faint scent during the application. Then after an hour or so no one will notice its smell on your skin.
Since its formula has been tested and approved by leading dermatologists, you can count on to its quality.
When you use it daily on the fresh and clean skin it not only produces long-lasting effect but also registers noticeable change quickly.
Pros:
- Produces the prolonged effect of up to 48 hours when used correctly
- Uses the dermatologists tested the formula
- Both moisturizes and improves the texture of the skin
- Leaves behind no greasy texture on the skin
- Registers only a faint smell
- Can be used on other body parts as well
Cons:
- Has to be reapplied several times to the extra dry skin to produce a tangible effect
2. L’Occitane Fast-Absorbing 20% Shea Butter Hand Cream, Net Wt. 1 oz.
For the hand cream that suits all skin types even the dry skin, L’Occitane is the way to go. Its major ingredients include Shea butter and walnut husks. As an ideal travel cream, it only requires about a minute to rub and disappear on your hands. The walnut husks in the ingredients play the role of gentle exfoliation.
The included brush applicator provides for easy application of the product. To the hands, it benefits both the cuticle and nails. When used regularly it softens the cuticles and nourishes the nails to flourish to health. In addition to the hands, it also benefits the feet.
After a hard and tiring day that causes the feet to feel tired, this L’Occitane hand cream helps. Using the soothing ingredients like lavender essential oil it moisturizes and thus relieves the tired feeling from your feet.
As the one-minute hand scrub cream, it possesses the fast penetrating power into the skin. After which it nourishes, protects and moisturizes your hands. When applied on the skin it develops a protective barrier on the hands. The barrier isn’t easily removed by even frequent washing.
The secret to that fast-acting formula is pegged on the blend of honey, coconut, almond extracts to Shea butter. Since it is skin-friendly, you can apply it as often as you wish to your hands without any fear. That will only result in softer and smoother hands than before.
Thus it’s the one cream you shouldn’t forget to dip into your travel bag. It can save you from having those excessively dry and lifeless hands. Instead, it bestows the soft feeling on your hands that gives you the confidence of greeting your boss or your significant half.
Pros:
- Leaves no greasy feeling behind
- Light scented
- Has both the protective and nourishing effect
- Easy to put in pocket or purse
- Quickly absorbed by the skin
- Has earned several awards and thus has the attested quality
Cons:
- Costly
3. Hada Labo Tokyo Skin Plumping Gel Cream 1.76 FL OZ – with Super Hyaluronic Acid & Collagen
When traveling to highly diplomatic meetings and looking forward to shaking hands with dignitaries, your hand’s texture matters. That’s where you can count on Hada Labo Tokyo Skin gel cream. With just a single application, it keeps your hands moisturized for 24hours. Besides, it changes the skin on your hands to be supple and soft.
Its clinically proven formula guarantees to minimize the fine lines and wrinkles to a noticeable difference in just 4 weeks. It’s therefore both a moisturizer and anti-aging cream. Just a pea-size application is sufficient to produce a noticeable effect on the palm of your hands. Thus you don’t have to apply it abundantly.
This Tokyo gel-cream uses three types of Hyaluronic acid as its major ingredients. That is collagen that keeps the skin texture, appearance, and structure at its best by minimizing the wrinkles and fine lines. Arginine, on the other hand, is an amino acid that keeps the skin moisturized and healthy too. Lastly, ceramide naturally, attracts and maintains moisture on the skin.
To suit all sexes, the hand cream produces no scent. Besides it also doesn’t leave the sticky residue. When you pat it on your skin, it quickly penetrates the skin. From its composition, it doesn’t contain parabens, dyes, and other harmful substances.
Pros:
- Lightweight and fast-absorbing action
- Non-greasy, and non-comedogenic too
- Doubles as an anti-aging cream
- Quick-acting formula
- Unscented
- Has the 24 hours moisturizing effect
Cons:
- It isn’t ideal for the sensitive skin
4. Advanced Clinicals Coconut Oil Cream for Hand
This cream blends two significant ingredients; coconut oil and lavender extracts. From those major constituents, it produces a powerful hand and body cream formula that also smells deliciously. But in addition to the scent, it also registers fast hydration and healthy glow too.
If your hands are generally dull and dry most of the time, the Advanced Clinicals Coconut Oil Cream promises to restore its glow and moisture level too. Besides coconut oil and lavender extracts, it also combines natural glycerin and Aloe Vera. That gives it the power to nourish, soften and thus restore the skin’s elasticity using a concentrated formula.
As a multifunction cream, you can use it on the neck region facial and even as a hair conditioner. It combines with all skin types from sensitive, oily, to normal skins. Furthermore, it has been packaged in a small 2-ounce container that makes it a true hand travel cream.
Pros:
- Light nice smelling scent
- Multifunctional cream
- Paraben-free
- Right texture; not too thick and neither watery too
- Not greasy or oily
- Made at a registered FDA facility in the USA
- Hasn’t been tested on animals
Cons:
- Takes longer to be absorbed by the skin; around 10 minutes
5. NIVEA Soft Moisturizing Crème – All-In-One Cream For Body, Face, and Hands
The Nivea soft moisturizing cream combines the jojoba oil and vitamin E to produce the rich moisturizing cream with long-lasting effects. Although it targets the hands it can also be applied to other body parts like the face for the same effect.
Owing to its light formula it is quickly absorbed by the skin. But even while doing so it leaves no annoying greasy feeling on the skin. Instead, it produces the effect of invigorating, soft and smooth skin. That, therefore, gives you the confidence to shake hands and even hug your fellow staff mates.
Since it has been tested by leading dermatologists you can apply it on your skin daily for optimum results.
Owing to its carefully chosen and blended ingredients it possesses the highly effective and intensive moisturizing effect on the skin. Whether applied to the face, hands or other body parts it produces tangible results of keeping the skin moisturized.
Pros:
- Has the soft lovely texture
- Light and quickly absorbed by the skin
- Great for both sexes
- Light scented
- Rich in vitamin E and jojoba oil too
- Produces no greasy feeling on the skin
- Great for other body parts also
- Highly portable
Cons:
- Requires one to dip his fingers into the container
Choosing the Best Hand Cream for Travel
From moisturizing, repairing cracked hands to providing a protective layer, hand creams play a vital role in our daily lives. But only if you know what makes the best hand cream. So if you are clueless on how to land the right travel size hand cream here are tips to go by;
Prioritize leading brands
You don’t want to be the first to test on an unknown brand. Moreover, such new brands may have unsafe ingredients.
That’s why it’s best to go by famous brands that are pioneers in the beauty industry. Such brands have grown into popularity since their products produce amazing results.
Absorption rate
Ideally, it should go for a cream that you can rub onto your hands and quickly diminishes. But that is affected mainly by two factors; its thickness and the oil content. It’s only the cream that penetrates deep into the skin that will moisturize all the skin layers and thus result in prolonged effect.
Keep off those products that take excessively long time to penetrate the skin.
Scent
Very few people especially men are comfortable with overpowering and projecting scents. So it’s better to choose the hand cream that isn’t scented or produces a very faint smell.
If you prefer a cream that registers some scent, ensure that the smell comes from some natural substances like eucalyptus, avocado or coconut oil. Avoid fragrances stemming from unknown substances.
Know your skin type
It is important to choose the hand moisturizer that harmonizes with your skin type.
For instance, if you possess the oily skin then a breathable lightweight cream is the option to go by. On the other hand if your palm or backhand is always dry and calloused, then choose the thick hand cream.
Know the most important ingredients
For the average light skin or oily type, creams employing silicone-based ingredients are ideal. But if you have sensitive skin, then the more natural the cream is the more it will suit you.
With that said here are some of the best ingredients to look out for;
- Shea butter has the role of moisturizing and soothing dry irritated skins
- Chamomile mainly helps to soothe the redness of the skin
- Vitamin A and E help to nourish the cuticle. The vitamins soften the cuticle thereby registering faster and even growth of the nails.
- Eucalyptus has natural antiseptic properties. It, therefore, prevents small bruises on the hands from growing infections.
Conclusion
So as you have seen having the hand cream especially the travel size is very important. So always strive to have one in your travel bag or pouch. That’s especially essential when traveling to important events where your looks count. With the above creams, you can make that first impression the best one. Many people will judge you from the feel and look of your hands. The above creams are some of the best picks to think of if you want tangible results.
Also check: The Best Organic Hand Creams
