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In the hustle of daily life, your hands bear the brunt of wear, tear, and exposure to elements that can lead to dryness and skin damage if neglected. Even routine handwashing can leave them dry and cracked. With a touch of care each day, you can safeguard your hardworking hands and keep them healthy.
Frequent use of hand cream can help hydrate your skin and provide other benefits such as softening, smoothing rough patches, easing itchy irritated areas, and providing protection from harmful external pollutants. It is the best way to restore dry and damaged hands and ensure they look and feel softer.
Read our guide to find the best Japanese hand cream suited to your needs.
How we decided
- Skin ConcernWhich type of skin or problem the cream targets, e.g., dry, cracked, rough, sensitive, or damaged skin
- Hydration & MoisturizationHow well the cream restores moisture, locks it in, and prevents dryness
- Repair & ProtectionThe ability to heal, soothe, protect from external pollutants, or reduce irritation and inflammation
- Ingredients & Functional BenefitsThe key components (e.g., urea, shea butter, vitamins, plant extracts) and what they do for the skin, such as softening, anti-aging, or strengthening
Atrix Beauty Charge Hand Cream Unscented 80g
This unscented Japanese hand cream from Atrix penetrates the hard outer-most layer of your skin to provide deep and long-lasting moisturization and leaves your skin feeling soft and glossy.
It is also effective when applied to your fingertips and nails. Key ingredients include shea butter which contains high concentrations of fatty acids and vitamins that help to moisturize and soften your skin and reduce signs of inflammation and other damaging skin conditions.
It also includes ginseng root extract, which is proven to hydrate and soften your skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles by strengthening your skin's natural firmness. If you prefer scented hand creams, we also carry this hand cream in honey & yuzu and peach tea-scented options.
Pros
- Deep hydration and barrier protection
- Absorbs without greasiness
- Works on nails & cuticles too
Cons
- Heavy texture for some skin types
- Not scented (boring for fragrance lovers)
Daily Aroma Moisturizing & Aromatic Yuzu Hand Cream 75g
This yuzu-scented hand cream is ideal for dry, cracked skin as its key ingredients smooth and hydrate your skin while helping to restore its natural softness. The active ingredient yuzu fruit extract is not only known for its aromatic qualities but also for its antioxidant properties that help eliminate harmful pollutants both in your skin and in the environment.
This Japanese hand cream also contains ginger rhizome extract, which has been used for centuries for its ability to inhibit collagen degradation, reduce signs of aging, and help to maintain key protein levels in your skin's outer layer, maintaining softness and flexibility.
Pros
- Yuzu seed oil & fruit extract add natural moisturization
- Refreshing citrus feel
- Lightweight, non‑greasy texture
Cons
- Scent may be too strong for some
- Moisture level moderate (not ultra‑rich)
Shiseido Urea Hand Cream for Rough Skin 60g
The Shiseido Urea Hand Cream can be used on all skin types but is specially formulated for rough skin. It is also effective on other hard and dry areas such as feet and elbows as it helps to restore your skin's softness and prevent cracking and soreness without leaving greasy or oily residue behind.
It contains Urea, an organic compound that is known for its moisturizing and skin-softening properties. It is also often used to help treat some skin conditions such as eczema and can be used as an exfoliator to help eliminate dead skin cells.
Pros
- Urea boosts hydration & smooths rough patches
- Good for dry winter hands
- Helps with skin texture and calluses
Cons
- Thick and heavy
- Can feel greasy on palms
Rohto Mentholatum Hand Veil Barrier Cream For Rough Skin 70g
This medicated Japanese protective hand cream from Rohto helps to restore, soften and hydrate dry and cracked skin. It forms a long-lasting protective barrier across your skin's external layer which helps to protect against harmful external pollutants and other chemicals while helping to lock in moisture and leave behind a restoring citrus aroma.
Key ingredients include retinol, a form of Vitamin A that is well-known for its anti-aging properties and its ability to help reduce the effects of skin irritations such as acne, and Urea, an organic compound best known for its water-retaining properties.
Pros
- Protective moisture barrier
- Retinol helps support skin renewal
- Hydrates cracks and irritation
Cons
- Menthol may irritate sensitive users
- Medicinal scent
Country & Stream Honey Hand Cream RM 50g
Country & Stream Honey Hand Cream is a moisturizing and sweet-scented hand cream from Japan that includes many natural and organically produced ingredients that work together to heal and restore rough and damaged skin.
The rich formula includes royal jelly, which helps to boost the production of collagen to eliminate inflammation and itching, and Chamomile extract, which contains strong antioxidants and can help reduce signs of aging by accelerating the production of new skin cells.
Other ingredients include beeswax and honey which help form a protective layer over your skin while absorbing and preserving moisture.
Pros
- Rich honey + royal jelly deeply moisturizes & protects
- Soft, smooth finish on dry skin
- Natural scent and botanical oils
Cons
- Can feel heavy in heat
- Small size
Locobase Thick Waterproof Hand & Body Cream for Rough Skin 30g
This restorative hand and body cream from Locobase is a firm lotion that is recommended for rough, very dry skin only and can be used on your hands and other dry problematic areas.
This hand cream delivers long-lasting and water-resistant relief while sealing in precious moisture. Enriched with shea butter, celebrated for its anti-inflammatory and restorative effects, this cream softens and soothes irritated skin.
Further enhanced by the inclusion of Copernicia Cerifera wax and oleic acid, both natural ingredients, this cream not only hydrates but also forms a velvety protective layer.
Pros
- Long‑lasting hydration
- Water‑resistant
- Effective for severely dry extremities
Cons
- Thick and heavy
- Small tube
Aqua Savon Triple Ceramide Cica Hand Cream White Cotton Scent 22A 45g
The Aqua Savon Triple Ceramide Cica Hand Cream is a hydrating and restorative lotion that is ideally suited for rough, dry, or damaged skin. The smooth non-greasy cream hydrates and helps to eliminate rashes, cuts, and other irritated or damaged areas.
It contains Cica, which is good at replenishing skin moisture, and has soothing properties, so whether your skin is dry or irritated, and in whatever temperature, it will help soothe and reduce redness. Other ingredients include Ceramide NG, which helps to replenish the skin's natural barrier and protect it against harmful external pollutants.
Pros
- Cica and ceramides repair & soothe irritation
- Strengthens skin barrier
- Non‑greasy feel
Cons
- Mild scent may not suit everyone
- Not super rich for severe dryness
Atrix Hand Milk for Wet Hands 200ml
This fragrance-free everyday cream is best used after washing your hands as it helps to rehydrate and protect your skin after prolonged exposure to damaging conditions. This gentle lotion is best applied to wet hands as it spreads faster and will leave a velvety soft gloss over your skin.
Key ingredients include Chamomile extract, which contains powerful antioxidants that help the skin regenerate and reduce signs of aging. It is also known as a natural skin bleach that reduces blemishes and other signs of damage. It also contains petroleum jelly, an ideal moisturizer for skin that suffers from extreme dryness, which is known for its replenishing properties.
Pros
- Great for application right after washing
- Large volume (good value)
- Velvety, non‑greasy finish
Cons
- Bottle size not travel‑friendly
- Mild petroleum scent
Matsuyama M-Mark Yuzu Hand Cream 65g
This Japanese moisturizing and softening hand lotion is infused with essential oil from yuzu, a citrus fruit that has high levels of antioxidants which help purify and protect your skin from damaging external chemicals.
Within this cream’s formula, you’ll also find wild carrot root extract (Daucus Carota Sativa), which is extremely rich in antioxidants and effective in preventing skin from drying out and is also ideal for treating eczema and psoriasis due to its antiseptic properties.
This hand cream also contains glycine soja, a plant-based ingredient that helps prevent skin dryness by forming a layer over the skin that helps to prevent moisture from evaporating.
Pros
- Yuzu provides antioxidant benefits (refreshing)
- Soft, citrus aroma
- Moisturizes moderately
Cons
- Only moderate hydration
- Scent may be strong
Jill Stuart White Floral Moisturizing Hand Cream 30ml
This light and fragrant hand lotion helps to nurture and restore chapped, dry skin without leaving behind a greasy or oily residue. The formula is designed to help retain moisture and smooth the surface of your skin evenly and quickly to avoid stickiness.
It is rich in moisturizing and regenerative ingredients including star fruit leaf extract, which is used as an antimicrobial agent to help treat skin inflammation, and orange, rose, and lavender honey, strong fragrant ingredients that contain many nutrients and vitamins to help strengthen and restore your skin's elasticity.
Pros
- Pleasant floral fragrance
- Light, non‑greasy texture
- Smooths skin
Cons
- Fragrance can irritate sensitive skin
- May feel not moisturizing enough
Shiseido Extra Strength Hand Cream More Deep 100g
This medicated and moisturizing hand cream from Shiseido is a fragrance-free lotion that is great for frequent use and provides instant relief for dry, cracked skin. It is fortified with regenerative, skin-sensitive ingredients that also help boost blood circulation, making it ideal for both hot and cold weather conditions as the lotion is easily absorbed.
Key ingredients include urea, a strong exfoliating agent that breaks down keratin on your skin's surface to eliminate dead skin cells. Also includes Vitamin E, which aids in the development of new skin cells to promote healing and reduce inflammation.
Pros
- Fragrance free
- Deep hydration
- Improves skin renewal
Cons
- Cream has a slightly sticky or oily feel
- Less hygienic than a squeeze tube
Atrix Extra Protection Hand Cream 70g
This Extra Protection Japanese medicinal hand cream from Atrix soothes and protects dry, cracked skin and creates a long-lasting barrier to help lock in moisture and repel harmful external elements.
Key medicinal ingredients help to reduce soreness and inflammation and improve blood circulation. It contains natural Vitamin E which protects skin cells from harmful external pollutants and promotes natural cell regeneration, and polyglyceryl diisostearate, a moisturizing plant-based ingredient that is suitable for most skin types.
Pros
- Soothes and protects dry areas
- Long‐lasting barrier
- Boosts circulation
Cons
- Slightly heavy
- May not absorb instantly
Dariya Momori Peach Moisturizing Hair & Hand Cream 150g
Peach Moisturizing Hair and Hand Cream is a rich moisturizing lotion that promotes hydration and softens both your skin and hair, leaving behind a smooth silky texture and a sweet peach scent.
It contains peach fruit extract which is widely used in skincare to help eliminate dark and damaged patches on your skin's outer layer and boost your skin's natural regeneration process.
It also contains peach kernel oil, which helps to carry moisture deep into your skin for longer-lasting hydration, and has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce swelling, dark patches, and rough dry areas.
Pros
- Peach extract supports regeneration
- Hydrating & soft
- Dual use (hands/hair)
Cons
- Strong scent
- Greasy feel for some
Yanagiya Apricot Oil Moisturizer Hair & Hand Milk Cream 120g
The Yanagiya Apricot Oil Moisturizer is a hair and hand cream that protects and nourishes your skin while helping your hair and hands retain its natural moisture and softness. Ideally suited for dry, damaged hair, and rough, parched skin, this gentle Japanese milky lotion helps to repair and restore texture and brightness.
It contains Apricot oil, which has anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe and restore damaged or irritated skin, and Jojoba seed oil, which is effective at easing and treating common skin conditions such as acne or eczema.
Pros
- Nourishes skin & hair
- Apricot oil softens
- Soothes damaged skin
Cons
- May be too oily
- Scent may be too strong for some
Yuskin A-Series Family Medical Cream for Dry Skin 120g
Yuskin A-Series Family Medical Cream protects and heals dry, rough, or cracked skin. Loved in Japan for over 60 years, its gentle, non-greasy formula contains vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C to hydrate and soothe sensitive skin. Safe for the whole family, including babies, it keeps hands, elbows, knees, and heels soft and smooth, especially in winter.
Pros
Cons
Want to discover more Japanese hand creams? Check out our full range of products here.
