Hand cream is a cosmetic used for its smoothing, moisturizing effects. Hand cream is different from hand lotion in that it is richer and heavier, making it especially helpful for dry skin. Different hand creams contain varying combinations of ingredients, and can be formulated to treat special conditions like wrinkles or sensitive skin.
Carrier Oils
Most hand creams contain base oils that have healing or moisturizing effects. The oils are also used for their ability to blend with other ingredients like water and emollients. Oils commonly used in hand creams include jojoba, coconut, vitamin E and sweet almond oil.
Emollients
Also known as moisturizers, emollients are rich-textured ingredients that coat the skin to leave it feeling smooth and moist. A variety of emollients may be included in hand creams, some of which include shea butter, cocoa butter, lanolin and beeswax.
Vitamins and Minerals
While not present in all hand creams, vitamins and minerals are sometimes added for their nourishing properties. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), vitamin E helps speed the healing of painful ulcers caused by systemic sclerosis, a disease of the skin. Vitamin A may be included in the form of retinol, tretinoin or retinyl palmitate. Other nutrients used in hand creams include zinc, vitamin C and vitamin K.
Herbs and Extracts
Herbs, herbal extracts and essential oils are an increasingly popular addition to hand creams and other cosmetics. Herbs like aloe and chamomile have moisturizing properties, while green tea and oatmeal are often included for their rejuvenating and exfoliating effects.
Herbs from the mint family--such as peppermint and spearmint--have a cooling effect, and are used in many natural skin care lines for their pleasant fragrance. Other common herbal ingredients include lavender, lemon balm and sandalwood.
Color and Fragrance
Fragrance and color may be added to hand creams to improve their smell or appearance. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, color ingredients generally contain a three-part name starting with "FD&C" to denote a food, drug or cosmetic agent, while fragrance ingredients may be listed simply as "Fragrance" due to trade secret laws.
Water
In addition to the water naturally present in herbs, emollients and other hand cream ingredients, water may be added for its hydrating effects. Like oils and emollients, water serves as a carrier for other ingredients while helping prevent excessive greasiness caused by heavier ingredients like cocoa butter or lanolin.
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