It’s a no-brainer to use sunscreen on your hands in theory. In real life, I do find it astonishingly hard for a number of reasons. New hand creams, though, promise to not only prevent hyperpigmentation/sun spots/age spots on your hands, but to actively treat them. Let’s investigate new hand creams for age spots.
My problems with hand cream with SPF
I usually hate hand creams and lotions with SPF, because I find they always dry out my hands, feel uncomfortably sticky, and I don’t remember to reapply them diligently, because I don’t like them. The usual. (When reading this, I’m immediately reminded of how people outside the skincare bubble think about sunscreen. Is there a hand cream bubble I don’t know? Are there awesome products out there I’ve never heard about?!?! Clue me in, please!!!)
To navigate around the issue, I sometimes use face sunscreen I don’t like on the back of my hands after I’ve used my regular hand cream. BUT: there’s news. New hand creams with SPF, and a hack.
New hand creams for age spots
Nivea and Eucerin launched new hand creams with SPF at the beginning of 2023, and of course I had to buy them. Only afterwards I realized that both are really similar, but in different price brackets. Maybe that’s because both brands are under the Baiersdorf umbrella. Baiersdorf has patented hyperpigmentation-fighting Thiamidol in 2019, and I tested it on the blog here.
Now, the bummer: Due to the filters both used, they won’t be officially for sale in the US. Otherwise, they should be available internationally.
What is Thiamidol
Beiersdorf, German mega corporation, patented their new ingredient in 2019. That means that you’ll see Thiamidol only in Beiersdorf brands – right now, Eucerin, Nivea and La Prairie use it.
Thiamidol works differently than various acids or retinol products used for hyperpigmentation: while those usually promote a quicker cell turnover, Thiamidol promises to minimise the production of melanin that’ll turn into hyperpigmentation. Correctly, it’s called a tyrosinase inhibitor. The astonishing find is that Thiamidol seems to yield better results than hydroquinone. (Their in-house testing is made to sound impressive, but has flaws: here, the study was done with 32 participants – a rather low number – and used self-assessment to gauge the effectiveness of the product. That’s not a very reliable way to measure stuff, though.)
It’s clever to add Thiamidol to a sunscreen product. With Thiamidol, though, you have to walk on a tightrope: while you have to use it continously, you also shouldn’t use it more than four times a day per Eucerin.
Eucerin Hyaluron Filler Hand Cream SPF30
Description
A rapidly absorbed age-spot correcting hand cream containing patented Thiamidol to reduce the appearance of age spots and prevent reappearance with regular usage. Hand cream absorbs quickly, improves skin’s elasticity and moisturises for 24 hours. SPF 30 provides additional protection from future sun-induced age spots.
Eucerin
Ingredients
Aqua, Cetearyl Alcohol, Alcohol Denat., Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cocoglycerides, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Dibutyl Adipate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Glyceryl Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Isobutylamido Thiazolyl Resorcinol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Arctium Lappa Fruit Extract, Tapioca Starch, Stearyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Chloride, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Trisodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Parfume
Eucerin
Notable ingredients are glycerin, shea butter, sodium hyaluronate and Arctium Lappa Fruit Extract, which is supposed to diminish signs of aging. There’s also alcohol denat. and fragrance. And Thiamidol, of course.
Filters
Avobenzone, Tinosorb S, Octisalate, Uvinul T 150, Uvinul A Plus, Ensulizole
Performance
A thick lotion-type texture with a floral scent that sinks in quickly and leaves a nicely moisturized feeling. While my hands feel hydrated at first, I can totally tell that there’s a lot of alcohol in there, as the moisturized feeling evaporates very quickly. If you need a richer handcream, because your hands are dry, this might be for you only in the height of summer.
Price
Nivea Luminous630 Hand Cream SPF15
Description
Reduces & prevents the appearance of dark pigment spots with visible results after 4 weeks
Nivea
Intensively nourishes dry hands for 24 hours
Enriched with Hyaluronic Acid
SPF 15 helps to protect the hands against sun-induced darkening & photoageing
Formula leaves no greasy or sticky feeling
Ingredients
Aqua, Cetearyl Alcohol, Alcohol Denat., Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Glycerin, Cocoglycerides, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Glyceryl Stearate, Dibutyl Adipate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Stearyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Isobutylamido Thiazolyl Resorcinol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tapioca Starch, Xanthan Gum, Arctium Lappa Fruit Extract, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Trisodium EDTA, Parfum
Nivea
VERY similar to Eucerin’s! There’s again alcohol denat. and fragrance and Thiamidol, of course. Notable other ingredients are glycerin, shea butter, sodium hyaluronate and Arctium Lappa Fruit Extract.
Filters
Avobenzone, Tinosorb S, Uvinul T 150, Octisalate, Ensulizole, Uvinul A Plus
Performance
No doubt about the name ‘cream’ here: it’s a very thick formula, with a floral scent. I honestly can’t smell a difference between Eucerin and this one. For me, they smell the same. Nivea, obviously, has the thicker formula, a lower SPF and lower price. The formula takes a bit longer to sink in, but gives a similar nicely moisturized feeling. While this initially feels richer, the effect for me is similar: on my perpetually dry hands, it’s not enough.
Price
50ml are around 6-7€ or £4 (UK)
My hand cream with SPF hack: sun sticks!
This, for me, is the easiest option when I’m on the go: use a sunscreen stick on the back of my hands, and reapply just like I’d reapply regular sunscreen to my face and body. I will still carry a regular hand cream with me for hydration purposes, but then apply the sun stick over it. This way, I can use my fave hand cream, AND be protected.
Please be aware, though, that stick sunscreens should be applied in abandon, as explained by Michelle here.
Also, if you’re like me and don’t like body sunscreens that much: I recently wrote about my antipathy and what I do to circumnavigate that!
Please note that this post is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods or money for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.
The sunstick tip is great, I’ll be doing that.
Glad you find it helpful!