So, Is Hand Cream with SPF Really Necessary?

Wearing SPF on every part of your body is a non-negotiable. (You’ve heard it from us time and time again and here are the receipts.) Hands are presumably included in this

statement, but experts say they are often overlooked when it comes to sun protection. “The tops of your hands are often exposed, especially when driving, golfing, etc.,” says board-certified dermatologist and founder of Avant Dermatology & Aesthetics, Sheila Farhang, M.D. “We always say our hands reveal our age since people typically use anti-aging creams or cosmetic procedures for the face and neck.”

Joshua Zeichner, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, agrees and says any products with the SPF written on its label will protect you by its specified amount as long as your using enough of it. This includes hand creams that are intentionally formulated with SPF or traditional sunscreens. “Hand creams with SPF tend to have richer textures with the goal of hydrating and repairing rough skin on the hands,” Dr. Zeichner says. He notes that using traditional facial sunscreens might prove to be more draining on your wallet since they are typically swirled with anti-aging ingredients, antioxidants, and botanicals—which are more expensive.

Ahead are the best sunscreens to slather your hands with, but remember to re-apply every time you go to wash your hands (which we know might be even more often these days).