Nurses are washing their hands, on average, 55 times a day; Purell has been nicknamed “liquid gold”; and Google searches for some hand creams are up more than 4,000 percent. It’s a new day, and Glossier’s newest addition couldn’t come at a better time.
Launching today, after nearly two years in the making, Hand Cream ($18) makes its debut in the brand’s signature millennial pink and an ergonomic, squeeze-bottle of sorts that reminds me of Apple’s AirPods case. The formula is isn’t too thick or too thin and absorbs in seconds without any greasy residue, but you can really feel the moisturizing and softening effects thanks to meadowfoam seed oil and coconut fruit extract. Glossier also added botanical extracts such as echinacea and rosemary to help soothe any irritation loads of handwashing and sanitizer can inflict.
Founder Emily Weiss has also chosen to donate 10,000 Hand Creams to healthcare workers in the U.S. “We designed Hand Cream with connection and community in mind: Over the years, we’ve heard so many stories about strangers talking, even becoming friends, because they spotted someone using Balm Dotcom in the wild, and we had hoped that Hand Cream might also inspire connection through beauty. Of course, connecting looks completely different in a time of social distancing,” Weiss says. “Individuals and businesses alike are doing their best to recreate human connection virtually. But for the nurses and doctors who are gathering every day to care for patients, it makes sense to get Hand Cream to them first.”
Two of my favorite things about the new launch: the scent—it’s a slightly lighter, cleaner version of the brand’s addictive You fragrance—and the small nozzle applicator that lets you squeeze out only the amount you need and nothing more. It’s a common gripe of mine, and I’m sure many others, to squeeze out too much hand cream—I end up smearing half of it on the back of my husband’s hand unexpectedly, which I’m sure he doesn’t appreciate. This cream eliminates that tiny annoyance altogether. Plus, the bottom half of the pod is recyclable, and at this point, any little bit we can help the planet, I’m all for!
