From Moisturising to Anti-Aging: Hand Care's Rising Role in Skincare
Let’s take a look at what our Beauty Buddies have to say on the subject.
Hand care has often taken a backseat in the world of beauty, overshadowed by the focus on facial skincare and body care. However, as consumers become more attuned to self-care and holistic beauty, the demand for specialized hand care treatments has surged. With environmental factors, daily wear and tear, and the natural aging process affecting hands, beauty brands are responding by offering innovative solutions to meet growing needs.
Why Hand Care is Essential
Hands are one of the first areas to show signs of aging, often more quickly than the face. The skin on our hands is thinner, with fewer oil glands, which makes it more susceptible to dryness and damage. Constant exposure to water, chemicals, and UV rays without proper protection can lead to premature wrinkles, age spots, and rough skin texture.
As a result, consumers are realising the importance of including their hands in their overall skincare routine, which has given rise to an array of hand-specific products and treatments.
A Growing Market for Hand Care
Historically, hand care was limited to basic moisturisers and occasional treatments in salons. However, shifts in consumer behaviour, particularly during the pandemic when frequent hand washing and sanitising became essential, have reshaped the way people view hand care. These changes have fuelled a rising demand for products that not only moisturise but also treat specific concerns such as premature aging, sun damage, and texture issues.
The global hand care market is projected to grow substantially over the next several years, driven by consumer priorities such as:
Aging concerns: Just as the anti-aging market for facial skincare has seen rapid expansion, hand care is following suit, with an increasing number of consumers looking for products that prevent and reduce visible signs of aging.
Sustainability: There is rising demand for eco-friendly and natural products, as consumers become more conscious of both their health and the environment.
Post-pandemic hygiene: With an increased focus on cleanliness, more people are incorporating hand care into their everyday routines, fueling demand for products that combine efficacy with skincare benefits.
Beauty brands are tapping into this growing segment by introducing advanced formulas and luxurious hand treatments that go beyond basic hydration.
Much like face masks, hand masks are becoming a key product in both at-home routines and professional treatments. These products offer intensive hydration and repair through ingredients like hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and glycerin. This trend represents an opportunity for beauty brands to introduce convenient, high-performance treatments that can be easily integrated into a consumer's routine.
At Beauty Buddy, we conducted a survey among our community of beauty enthusiasts to gather insights into hand care habits, preferences, and product needs. Their feedback provides a deeper understanding of consumer expectations and trends in the hand care segment, which we’ll share below. This data offers valuable insight for brands looking to better serve the needs of today’s informed and conscious consumers.
Frequency of hand care routine
Based on the survey conducted among beauty enthusiasts, 50% of respondents perform hand care routines daily, making it the most frequent practice.
28% follow their routines 2-3 times a week, and 12% engage in hand care once a week. A smaller group, 7%, attends to hand care occasionally, while only 3% perform hand care routines only when their hands feel dry.
These insights highlight that half of the surveyed individuals prioritize consistent daily hand care, with a significant portion also maintaining regular care throughout the week.
Products used
From the survey results, it’s clear that hand cream is a staple in most respondents' routines, with 97% of participants regularly using it for hand care.
Additionally, 67% of respondents use cuticle oil, while 37% incorporate hand masks into their care regimen.
These results reflect the growing popularity of specialized hand treatments, with hand cream being the most universally used product, followed by a strong interest in cuticle health and hydration through cuticle oils.
Importance
According to the survey, 70% of respondents consider hand care to be a very important part of their overall beauty routine, while 22% view it as somewhat important.
Only a small percentage are less concerned with hand care, with 4% feeling neutral and 3% stating it is not very important.
These results show that hand care is a priority for the vast majority, with a focus on maintaining healthy, well-groomed hands as part of their broader beauty regimen.
Hand Care Priorities
The survey results reveal that moisturising is the primary reason for using hand care products, with 44% of respondents prioritizing hydration in their routine.
20% use hand care products for nail care/strengthening, while 19% focus on treating dry or cracked skin.
Anti-aging concerns drive 17% of participants to use hand care products.
These insights highlight that hydration remains the key driver for hand care usage, followed by attention to nail health and repairing skin issues.
Professional Hand Care
The survey results indicate diverse habits regarding professional manicures.
25% of respondents receive manicures monthly, while 19% get them every few months, showing moderate commitment to nail care.
In contrast, 17% never seek professional services, and 25% get manicures rarely.
Only 8% receive manicures biweekly, and 5% visit salons weekly, suggesting that many prefer less frequent pampering or at-home care.
Type of Manicure Preferred
The survey results reveal a clear preference for at-home DIY manicures, with 37% of respondents opting for this option.
Following closely are gel manicures, chosen by 32%, indicating a strong interest in long-lasting nail enhancements.
Regular polish is preferred by 13%, while only 7% favor acrylic nails. A small portion, 2%, prefers dip powder nails. Additionally, 8% of respondents do not get manicures at all.
These insights illustrate a trend towards DIY solutions and a preference for gel manicures among consumers.
Nail Health
When we asked participants about their concerns regarding nail health, the results revealed that a significant majority prioritise this aspect of personal care.
41% of respondents reported being somewhat concerned, while 38% indicated they are very concerned about their nail health.
In contrast, only a small minority, including 1% who don’t think about it and another 1% who are not concerned at all, demonstrated minimal interest in nail care. Additionally, 16% felt neutral, and 3% were not very concerned.
Overall, these findings highlight a strong awareness and emphasis on nail health among consumers.
Nail Concerns
The survey results highlight several key concerns regarding nail care among respondents. 70% are particularly worried about nail breakage, while 59% express concerns about weak or brittle nails.
Cuticle care is a priority for 56%, and 46% are focused on nail growth. Additionally, 24% of participants are concerned about yellowing nails. Only 3% indicated that they have no concerns at all.
These insights underscore the prevalent issues consumers face in maintaining healthy nails.
Cuticle Care
The survey results reveal varied usage patterns for cuticle oil or treatments among respondents. 29% use these products weekly, while 22% incorporate them into their routine daily.
Additionally, 25% use cuticle oil occasionally and 15% only apply it when their cuticles are dry.
A small percentage, 8%, reported that they never use cuticle oil, and 1% were unfamiliar with the product, indicating a lack of awareness.
These findings suggest that while many prioritise cuticle care, there is still room for education about its benefits.
Product Preferences
When asked about their preferences for hand care products, the survey results reveal a notable lack of strong inclinations among respondents.
The largest segment, 40%, reported that they don’t have a preference.
Among those who do have preferences, 19% favour products with active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, while 14% prefer non-greasy products. 12% opt for organic or natural products, and 11% like scented products.
A small portion, 3%, prefers unscented products.
Ingredients, are they important?
The survey results show that most respondents are mindful of the ingredients in their hand and nail care products. 27% said they always consider the ingredients, while 26% do so frequently.
Additionally, 34% consider them sometimes, demonstrating a moderate level of awareness. A smaller portion, 7%, rarely consider ingredients, 3% are unsure, and only 2% never think about it.
These findings highlight a growing consciousness of product ingredients among consumers.
Sun Protection
The survey results indicate that a significant number of respondents are becoming more aware of sun protection in their hand care routine. 48% have not yet included sun protection but are interested in adding it, while 28% already use a hand cream with SPF and 12% apply a separate sunscreen for their hands.
A smaller portion, 10%, haven’t considered it before, and only 2% believe it’s not necessary.
These findings suggest growing interest in incorporating sun protection into hand care practices.
Exfoliation
The survey results show that hand exfoliation is a common practice for many respondents.
27% exfoliate their hands regularly, while 26% do so occasionally. 21% only exfoliate when their hands feel rough, and 22% would like to incorporate exfoliation into their routine but haven't yet.
A small portion, 3%, don't see the need for exfoliating their hands. These findings suggest that while exfoliation is a popular part of hand care, some still have room to integrate it more consistently.
Are you keen to gather valuable feedback and insights directly from your target audience? Don't hesitate to reach out to us today to discuss the exciting possibilities of running targeted surveys. Let us help you achieve your goals!
We understand the importance of knowing your target audience. Do you make assumptions about your consumers, their preferences, opinions and needs? Understanding your consumers is key to ensuring your business decisions are well-informed and effective.
AT PXBB we run targeted survey campaigns, through Beauty Buddy the app, for our clients. Surveys provide answers, generate fresh data and insights, they substantiate assumptions and also help identify new trends.
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