Are you struggling with dry hands but not sure which non-toxic hand cream is best? Learn more about toxins commonly found in lotions and body creams and find a list of the best non-toxic hand creams to choose from! Some of my favorites below are listed as affiliate links which means I make a small commission when you purchase using the link, at no additional cost to you. I only recommend items I’ve used and trust!
Living in Las Vegas definitely has its perks: year-round sunshine, stunning desert landscapes, nice hair (due to low humidity), and so many things to see and do. But as someone who has always struggled with dry skin to some degree, moving to Las Vegas really took the problem to a whole new level. Once winter hits, the back of my hands may as well just be sandpaper if I don’t use a good hand cream. Back almost 20 years ago, I remember really loving a hand cream from Victoria’s Secret. It was thick, creamy, and left my hands feeling super soft and velvety all day. However, these days I wouldn’t be able to tolerate the strong scent of that hand cream. But most importantly, the ingredients of that hand cream were most definitely not non-toxic.
The Search for the Best Mostly Non-toxic Hand Cream
If you can relate, you know how crucial a good hand cream can be—but not just any hand cream. This winter, I went on a mission to find the best mostly non-toxic hand cream that hydrates without harmful chemicals. I’ve put together this guide to help you choose a non-toxic hand cream that’s both effective and safe. I wanted a hand cream that would not only keep my hands feeling hydrated for longer than a few minutes. But I also wanted a non-toxic hand cream that wouldn’t expose me and my babies to harmful chemicals. I’m still trying out various creams to find the one I like best. But I wanted to share what I’ve found so far that both works great and is also relatively non-toxic and safe to use.
But first, let’s talk a little about toxins commonly found in lotions and body creams, and why this even matters.
Why “Mostly” Non-Toxic Hand Cream?
A quick note about my choice of words when saying “mostly non-toxic hand cream”. I say this because, in reality, finding something with zero toxins is a pretty unrealistic challenge. The term “non-toxic” is relative and considers the least toxic options out there that I am aware of. Another way you may also see me describing this is “low-toxic”. I try my best to give my thoughts on products based on what I’ve read from research. If I have concerns about any particular ingredient, I will always share my own conclusions and suggestions. But ultimately, the most important thing is that you have the most up-to-date information. My goal is for you to be able to make your own informed decisions.
Why Does Using a Mostly Non-Toxic Hand Cream Even Matter?
Many popular hand creams contain ingredients that are not only harsh on your skin but also raise concerns about long-term health effects. Mostly non-toxic hand creams, on the other hand (no pun intended), are made of ingredients without these chemicals, offering much-needed hydration without the harmful effects.
Another issue to note is that lotions and creams are applied and left to set on the skin indefinitely versus being washed off. Because of this, there is higher likelihood of absorption through the skin. This is even more reason why avoiding harsh chemicals in hand creams is critical to keeping not only your skin healthy, but also the rest of your body healthy!
The Big Offenders: 10 Ingredients to Avoid in Hand Creams
Conventional body lotions and creams can oftentimes contain harmful ingredients such as parabens and phthalates/synthetic fragrances. These chemicals not only have the potential to cause irritation, but they also may have long-term health risks ranging from hormone disruption (Wang et al., 2024) to increased likelihood of cardiovascular disease (Mariana et al., 2023) among other concerns.
When searching for a good non-toxic hand cream, your should always refer to the ingredients list. Don’t assume that because the product says “all-natural” or “clean” that it is relatively non-toxic compared to other options (see my article about greenwashing).
Although this isn’t a comprehensive list of concerning ingredients, here are some of the most commonly used problematic toxic offenders to watch out for in hand creams.
1. Parabens
Used as preservatives, parabens are linked to endocrine disruption and can be harmful if used over time. Add on the fact that personal care products like hand creams and body lotions are left to set on the skin all day, which increases likelihood of absorption. When on the look-out for parabens, look for the following on ingredient labels:
- Bethylparaben
- Ethylparaben
- Propylparaben
- Butylparaben.
- Methylparaben
- Isobutylparaben
- Artificial fragrances and perfumes
2. Phthalates
Often found in synthetic fragrances, phthalates can also negatively affect hormone health. These are typically hidden under the term “fragrance” or “parfum” on ingredients labels.
3. Petrolatum (Petroleum Jelly)
While it might seem moisturizing, petrolatum can clog pores and may contain contaminants if not properly refined. Look for names like mineral oil, petroleum jelly, or petrolatum on ingredient labels.
4. Synthetic Fragrances
Because companies are not required to disclose what is in their “fragrance” due to federally protected “trade secrets” laws, there could be a whole host of toxic chemicals behind that single-word ingredient. These “fragrance” ingredients can potentially irritate sensitive skin and are often composed of undisclosed, toxic chemicals including phthalates as mentioned above. Look for words like “fragrance” or “parfum” in the ingredients. If you see either of those, it’s probably best to assume they aren’t hiding anything good behind that ingredient.
5. Formaldehyde-Releasing Agents
These preservatives release small amounts of formaldehyde over time, which can cause irritation and long-term health risks. Formaldehyde-releasing agents include:
- DMDM hydantoin
- Imidazolidinyl urea
- Diazolidinyl urea
- Quaternium-15
- 3-dioxane
- 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-Diol (Bronopol)
- 5-brom-5-nitro-1
- Sodium hydroxymethyl glycinate
- Paraformaldehyde
- Methanol
- Methenamine
Make sure none of the above appears in your ingredients label (Toxic-Free Future, 2023). While some products aren’t required to list ingredients under a certain amount, it still helps to avoid known products with formaldehyde-releasers if you can.
6. Artificial Colors
Identified as FD&C or D&C followed by a number, these dyes can irritate sensitive skin and may carry potential health risks.
7. Benzalkonium Chloride
Commonly used as a preservative and antimicrobial, this ingredient can cause skin irritation and sensitivity, particularly with repeated use.
8. Butylatedhydroxy Anisole or Butylated Hydroxytoluene
These synthetic antioxidants are often used as preservatives but are linked to potential endocrine disruption and skin irritation.
9. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)
A chelating agent that stabilizes formulas, EDTA can cause skin and eye irritation and is slow to biodegrade, making it harmful to the environment.
10. Polyethylene glycol
Often used as a thickener or solvent, PEG compounds can be contaminated with harmful byproducts like ethylene oxide or 1,4-dioxane, which are carcinogenic.
What to Look for If You’re Trying to Find Mostly Non-toxic Hand Creams
When scanning labels, look for hand creams that have:
- Natural Moisturizers like shea butter, cocoa butter, mango butter, and aloe vera.
- Plant-Based Oils such as coconut oil, almond oil, or jojoba oil.
- Essential Oils for fragrance instead of synthetic scents.
- Certifications like USDA Organic, EWG Verified, or Made Safe to ensure higher safety standards.
And of course, if possible, make sure they don’t have any of the ingredients on the big offenders list above. If you can, use apps like INCI Beauty, EWG Healthy Living, and Think Dirty for guidance with navigating ingredients you’re unsure of.
My Top Picks for Mostly Non-toxic Hand Creams
1. 100% Pure Hand Buttercream
Ingredients (Coconut Version): Theobroma Cacao Seed (Cocoa) Butter, Persea Gratissima Oil (Avocado Butter), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Argania Spinosa Kernel (Argan) Oil, Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis (Organic Aloe Vera)* Leaf Juice, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Extracts of Euterpe Oleracea (Acai Berry) Fruit, Resveratrol, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf, Garcinia Mangosteen (Mangosteen) Peel, Lycium Barbarum (Goji Berry) Fruit, Aristotelia Chilensis (Maqui Berry), Sambucus Canadensis (Elderberry) and Vitis Vinifera (Muscadine Grape) Skin, Extract of Lonicera Caprifolium Flower, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf, Origanum Vulgare (Oregano) Leaf, Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf (Thyme), Ethyl Alcohol (Grain Alcohol), Cocos (Coconut Flavor) Nucifera Extract * Certified Organic
100% Pure provides not only a full ingredients list for each of their products, but also an ingredients list glossary that you can use to fully understand many of those ingredients. Their products are made in the USA and are biodegradable, so they are non-toxic and safe for the environment.
When I purchased 100% Pure’s hand cream, I bought the Hand Buttercream Trio which includes Honey Almond, Blood Orange, and Coconut. I also purchased the Vanilla Bean. I love all of them, and they not only keep my skin nice and soft for longer than the previous hand cream I used, but they didn’t leave any sticky residue behind, were a smooth consistency, were easy to apply, and they all smelled great. In fact, for the first time in ages, I literally woke up with smooth hands the next day after starting to use 100% Pure’s hand buttercream!
A Personal Note About Ethyl Alcohol (Grain Alcohol)
One ingredient that stands out for me is the “ethyl alcohol (grain alcohol)” towards the end of the ingredients list. Here are my thoughts about the use of ethyl alcohol.
First, manufactured personal care products really do require some kind of preservative to keep them safe from issues such as mold and bacteria growth. Ethyl alcohol provides this anti-microbial protection (Lachenmeier, 2008). Unfortunately, a lot of preservatives in personal care products (such as the many included in the above list of ingredients to avoid, ranging from parabens to butylatedhydroxy anisole) have notable harmful effects. Based on my current knowledge, ethyl alcohol seems like the lesser evil, although it is by no means completely guilt-free.
We already know that if ingested regularly (for example, in alcoholic beverages), ethyl alcohol can lead to an increased risk of developing malignant tumors. This results in a higher risk of developing various cancers, such as liver, breast, or esophageal cancers. When it comes to using ethyl alcohol topically, not as much research has been done. Although we shouldn’t assume the effects of applying ethyl alcohol to the skin is the exact same as consuming it, we should still keep in mind that it does have carcinogenic potential, period. We should also keep in mind that substances absorbed through the skin can be transported to other more susceptible organs throughout the body (Lachenmeier, 2008).
Personally, if I had to choose a hand cream or lotion with preservatives, I’d opt for ethyl alcohol formulations that exclude more harmful preservatives. The other option I’d try to opt for is to get hand cream or lotion that has no preservatives and adhere strictly to the sanitary instructions. However, ultimately, I’d recommend trying to use as few skin care products as possible to decrease toxic load overall. But if you have to use something, there isn’t evidence (at least yet) that topically applying ethyl alcohol can cause harmful effects such as cancer.
To read more about ethyl alcohol, read the post What is Ethyl Alcohol and Is It Safe?.
Why Not These Handcreams?
1. Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Hand Cream
Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Jojoba Esters, Cetyl Palmitate, Ceramide NP, Euterpe Oleracea Sterols, Tocpherol, Linoleic Acid, Oleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbitan Palmitate.
For the past year, I really loved using Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Hand Cream. It was smooth and silky, applied easily, and the smell was nice and neutral. However, it has two ingredients of moderate concern (m) and one of low concern (l):
- Phenoxyethanol (m)
- Carbomer (m)
- Sodium hydroxide (l)
Although these ingredients aren’t on the big offenders list, they are still not the greatest. Additionally, I found that the 100% Pure hand buttercream did a better job keeping my hands moisturized longer, despite all the handwashing!
Ultimately, it just makes more sense to choose the hand cream that both works better and has better, less toxic ingredients. Choosing 100% Pure hand buttercream over Biossance hand cream seemed like a no-brainer to me!
2. CeraVe Therapeutic Hand Cream
Ingredients: Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Aluminum/magnesium Hydroxide Stearate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Niacinamide, Sodium Chloride, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Cetyl Peg/ppg-10/1 Dimethicone, Hexyl Laurate, Phenoxyethanol, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Carbomer, Methylparaben, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Propylparaben, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
CeraVe has quite a list of problematic ingredients that are of either strong (s) or moderate concern (m):
- Methylparaben (s)
- Propylparaben (s)
- Cyclopentasiloxane (m)
- Cyclohexasiloxane (m)
- Carbomer (m)
- Phenoxyethanol (m)
As you can see, this CeraVe product has multiple parabens (methylparaben and propylparaben) which is one of the big offenders you want to avoid on ingredient lists.
Non-toxic Hand Creams and Beyond
Navigating the world of skincare can feel overwhelming. Until I started diving deep into the world of personal care product ingredients as of late, I never realized just how complex of a topic it was. I knew it was complicated, but I didn’t realize to what extent. The ingredients lists of a single product alone can be challenging enough to try and figure out. Trying to figure it all out for all of your products can be daunting. But starting with a good non-toxic hand cream or body lotion is a great first step toward making healthier skincare choices for yourself.
Ultimately though, if you can ditch skincare products, that is oftentimes the best option you can choose. For those of us with skin conditions that require specific skincare products though, choosing a high-quality, low-toxic option can make a world of a difference for your health!
Sources
Ethanol – Chemical safety facts. (2022, October 14). Chemical Safety Facts.
Lachenmeier, D. W. (2008). Safety evaluation of topical applications of ethanol on the skin and inside the oral cavity. Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology, 3(1), 26.
Mariana, M., Castelo-Branco, M., Soares, A. M., & Cairrao, E. (2023). Phthalates’ exposure leads to an increasing concern on cardiovascular health. Journal of hazardous materials, 457, 131680.
Toxic-Free Future. (2023, January 24). Get the Facts: Formaldehyde. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
Wang, J., Zhao, C., Feng, J., Sun, P., Zhang, Y., Han, A., Zhang, Y., & Ma, H. (2024). Advances in understanding the reproductive toxicity of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in women. Frontiers in cell and developmental biology, 12, 1390247.
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