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When we say “skin care,” what comes to mind first? Your face, probably. Maybe your neck. We’re willing to bet it’s not your hands, nails, and feet—the tireless workers that do practically everything for us, from tapping out texts to ripping open boxes to standing in line for hours. These body parts deserve better—and luckily for you, it’s not hard (or particularly expensive) to pamper them with all sorts of luxe lotions, tools, and soothing at-home treatments.
We put a range of nail, hand, and foot care products to work as part of our 2023 Healthy Beauty Awards. Below, you’ll find the showstoppers that emerged after weeks of testing—including creams for dry, cracked skin; satisfying exfoliating foot masks; and press-on nails perfect for anyone who wants to look more polished. Good luck not adding them all to cart.
Want to see more from the 2023 Healthy Beauty Awards? Check out the best moisturizers, best body care products, and the best serums, oils, masks, and spot treatments.
Why is it so damn hard to find a great hand lotion? You know, one that isn’t greasy or smelly and actually moisturizes? Good news: Kora Organics delivers with a balance of buttery texture, quick absorbency, and delicate fragrance.
Bonus points, per the experts: This cream contains ceramides and glycerin, moisturizing ingredients that help seal moisture into the skin.
One tester said: “I love that the lotion is rich but not too difficult to rub in. It doesn’t leave behind a greasy residue, and there's a nice, light floral scent that’s not overpowering.”
Just so you know: This product is scented with essential oils, which may be irritating for anyone with sensitive skin.
TikTok dubbed this Method hand wash a Le Labo dupe—and one tester said it’s up there with Aesop too. They called its woody amber scent “expensive” and raved about how elegant the refillable aluminum bottle looked on their counter.
Bonus points, per the experts: In addition to moisturizing glycerin, this wash is made with aloe, which can calm inflamed, irritated skin.
One tester said: “It's handsome and musky, sudses up beautifully, and doesn’t dry out my hands.”
Just so you know: This soap is fragranced, which derms say may be irritating for anyone with sensitive skin.
If your nails tend to fray or split, consider a polish with strengthening ingredients, which can create a protective and moisturizing layer on top of the nail. Our tester was impressed by how hydrated and healthy their manicure felt after a couple coats of Lights Lacquer’s Nourishing Elixir—and how their paint job didn’t chip for days.
Bonus points, per the experts: The hyaluronic acid in this product is a powerhouse for moisturizing dry skin.
One tester said: “The rounded, flat brush made application so easy, and the translucent, pink shade is subtle but gives me mermaid vibes. This will be my new go-to nail polish when I want a quick, classic manicure.”
Just so you know: Most evidence that over-the-counter nail strengtheners work is anecdotal, one expert previously told SELF. Still, it’s never a bad idea to hydrate and protect your nails.
Quick-dry polish is a godsend for anyone who’s short on patience (or time). But often it goes on too thin or leaves streaks. This wasn’t the case with Olive & June’s, which one tester said was shiny, fast-drying, and came in a pleasing array of colors.
Bonus points, per the experts: You won’t find formaldehyde in this product, which is common in many other polishes—and can irritate skin.
One tester said: “This polish stayed on my nails for almost a week—pretty long for an at-home manicure. It was easy to apply and dried quickly.”
Per one tester, Zoya’s Hattie shade manages to be “the perfect elevated neutral.” The creamy rose pigment is versatile enough for year-round wear, and it has a substantial consistency, easy-grip brush, and speedy drying time.
One tester said: “Even without a topcoat, the polish still felt like it cured into a super-thick, long-lasting, perfect mani.”
Our tester couldn’t get enough of Gucci Vernis à Ongles’s long-lasting, high-gloss pop of color—and how easy it was to apply, thanks to its wide, oval-shaped brush. It’s pricey, sure, but could absolutely be worth the cost for any mani/pedi devotee. (Or make the perfect gift.)
Bonus points, per the experts: This product is formulated without formaldehyde, an ingredient in many nail polishes and strengtheners that experts say can cause skin irritation.
One tester said: “The polish provided great payoff, with minimal to no pooling in the cuticles. I was most impressed by the colors: I tried blue, cream white, and hot magenta shades that I haven't seen anywhere else.”
Just so you know: Like many polishes, Gucci’s is made with alcohol, which can be drying.
Our manicure-averse tester was amazed by how easy it was to use Dashing Diva’s gel nail strips, which are thin, flexible stickers you apply and cure on your nail from the comfort of your home. The tester said that all they had to do was trim the strips to fit their nails, hold them under an LED light for 45 seconds, and boom, they looked just as good as a professional mani. (Conveniently, a free mini LED lamp is included with any purchase of Glaze nails too.) Taking off the nails is simple: All you have to do is use cuticle oil and a wood manicure stick to gently loosen and lift the strip away.
One tester said: “After using these I can see myself becoming someone who regularly does my own nails! Removal was easy, and the strips left my nails in much better shape than I was expecting.”
Just so you know: Though the risk of developing skin cancer from using a UV or LED nail light is low, it’s a good idea to apply a nickel-sized amount of broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30+ on your hands before sticking them under the lamp.
The downside of doing your nails is having to wait around for them to dry—and inevitably smudging them in the process. Press-ons, on the other hand, require zero down time and are available in fun, salon-quality patterns and designs. We love this Glamnetic set for its exceptional quality, simple-to-follow instructions, and wide range of styles. One tester said they’d happily wear the nails again for a special occasion, which is definitely doable, as they're reusable—and last up to two weeks with each wear.
One tester said: “Seriously didn't realize how easy applying these would be. The press-ons seem to be very durable, and they’re easy to file.”
Good tools are essential for keeping your nails beautiful (and healthy) in their barest form. This file, buffer, and cuticle pusher set from Tweezerman is made from tough glass and won top marks for its simplicity and strength.
One tester said: “The buffer and file were excellent, but I loved the cuticle pusher the most. It was just sharp enough and worked like a charm.”
If you’re wondering WTF a heel sock is and why it made the list, hear us out. This product from Voesh is basically a fuzzy, toeless sock that’s infused with nourishing oils. After at least a half hour of wear, your heels are left pampered and smooth—something that blew our tester away, despite their initial skepticism.
Bonus points, per the experts: The heel socks are rich in jojoba oil, a fast-absorbing hydrator that can help repair the skin barrier.
One tester said: “I wore these heel socks while working my 9-to-5 shift, and when I got home, I looked like I had new heels. They were amazingly soft, moisturizing, and felt goddamn good to the touch.”
Tenoverten’s foot scrub uses sugar to gently buff away dead skin, leaving you with silky, soft soles. It earned an out-loud “Wow!” from our tester after they felt the result.
Bonus points, per the experts: The orange peel oil in this scrub contains alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), which exfoliate and leave skin clearer and brighter.
One tester said: “This product melts into your skin and very easily rubs into a nice, serum-like texture—which is great, because who wants to feel sandy?”
