How To Smooth Out Hand Wrinkles, According to a Dermatologist

Losing skin elasticity and developing wrinkles are natural parts of aging. While our wish for you would be to feel at peace with your body at all times, regardless of its changes, it’s also natural to feel a little insecure about your changing skin.

If increasing wrinkles has you hand-wringing (a hand wrinkle risk!), we have good news: Smoothing out the skin on your mitts is surprisingly low effort. You probably have a go-to hand cream you’re slathering on this winter — all you need to do is swap it with one that targets both dry and aging skin.

However, you’ll need to consider what your primary needs are. Do you want a regular lotion for everyday use or a powerful night cream for more intensive treatment? Are you focused on improving crepey skin, sun spots, general wrinkles, or all of the above? If you’re overwhelmed by the options, fear not. We’re here to keep your hands hydrated and healthy with the help of Julie Bittar de la Cruz, MD, a dermatologist at Miami Dermatology & Laser Institute.

What causes hand wrinkles?

According to Dr. de la Cruz, hand wrinkles are caused by a combination of factors, including aging, genetics, lifestyle choices, and your environment. “As we age, we naturally lose collagen, elastin, and fat in our hands. Chronic sun exposure further breaks down collagen and elastin and contributes to depigmentation and discoloration on the hands as well.” She adds, “Lifestyle choices like smoking can also accelerate the onset and degree of wrinkles. Genetics also plays a role in the aging process, as some people are more susceptible to losing collagen and elastin faster than others.”

Can hand aging be prevented?

You’re bound to lose elasticity in your hands as you age, so there’s not much you can do to prevent wrinkles completely. But don’t stress — there are some ways to minimize the effects of aging on your hands. “The best way to prevent hand wrinkles would be to wear sunscreen on the hands daily, stay hydrated, and avoid smoking,” says Dr. de la Cruz.

Pro tip: If you’re really devoted to smoother skin on these extremities, wear UPF gloves while driving. 

How can you get rid of hand wrinkles?

There’s no miracle solution to reverse thinning skin completely, but you can take steps to reduce its appearance or slow its progress. “I treat hand wrinkles in a combination of ways, typically using soft tissue augmentation, lasers, and good skincare like retinoids and alpha hydroxy acids,” says Dr. de la Cruz. “My go-to trick for a DIY anti-aging hand cream is to apply a prescription or over-the-counter retinoid with a layer of any fragrance-free moisturizing cream over it.” And if you are using retinol on your hands, that means it’s all the more important to apply SPF to your mitts as well.

What types of ingredients work and why? 

“Look for ingredients that stimulate collagen and protect you from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation,” says Dr. de la Cruz. “So, in the morning, make sure to apply sunscreen to your hands, and at night, opt for a hand cream with a retinoid in it.” 

Retinoids increase collagen production and cell turnover in the skin, which can improve skin elasticity and texture. You should also look for moisturizing ingredients, as a lack of moisture can make wrinkles and crepey skin more pronounced. These include humectants (which draw moisture to the skin) and occlusives (which trap that moisture in the skin). Examples of humectants are glycerin, urea, and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), while occlusives include shea butter, lanolin, and petrolatum.

Now that you know what to look for, we’ve rounded up the best hand creams specifically formulated to treat wrinkles and aging, following the advice of Dr. de la Cruz.

11 Best Hand Creams and Treatments for Wrinkles and Aging