What's in Handvela — full ingredient list (INCI) and what each part does
Guide · Updated
A hand cream's ingredient list tells you how it will feel long before you open it. Handvela is built around fast absorption and a matte, non-greasy finish, so the formula leads with humectants and light emollients and goes easy on the heavy occlusives that leave a film. Below is the full ingredient list, what each part does, and what we deliberately leave out.
/The hero: 1% ectoin
Ectoin is a naturally-occurring molecule (an "extremolyte") that binds water and structures a hydration shell around itself. In a hand cream that means a strong, non-tacky humectant that holds water without the sticky drag of piling on more glycerin — so it supports hydration without fighting the matte finish, and helps skin stay comfortable through the repeated washing and sanitiser that frequent hand-washers deal with. It is the one thing here the drugstore hand-cream shelf doesn't carry, and it is a cosmetic conditioning ingredient — not a treatment.
/The full ingredient list, by role
What each part does (fragrance-free variant)
| Ingredient (INCI) | Role | Why it's here |
|---|---|---|
| Aqua (Water) | Base | Carries the actives and lets the cream spread thin and absorb fast. |
| Glycerin | Humectant | Draws water into the outer skin — a main reason the cream feels light and sinks in quickly instead of sitting on top. |
| Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride | Light emollient | A light, fast-absorbing emollient that smooths without the slick film of heavy oils. |
| C13-15 Alkane | Fast dry-down | A light, plant-derived fluid that flashes off quickly to help the cream absorb fast and finish matte. |
| Niacinamide | Barrier-conditioning | A well-studied vitamin-B3 ingredient that conditions and supports the skin barrier. |
| Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) | Humectant / conditioning | A skin-conditioning humectant that supports softness without adding grease. |
| Squalane | Light emollient | A lightweight, skin-familiar emollient (plant-derived) that softens and helps hold water in. |
| Isoamyl Laurate | Dry emollient | A dry, fast-absorbing plant ester that adds slip without residue. |
| Dimethicone | Matte finish / light barrier | A light film-former that helps the cream dry down matte and leaves no fingerprint smudge on a screen. |
| Ectoin | Hero — osmolyte humectant | The 1% hero: binds water and helps skin stay comfortable through frequent washing (see above). |
| Betaine, Sodium PCA, Sodium Hyaluronate | Humectants (NMF) | Skin-native moisture-binding ingredients for a fresh, non-sticky hydrated feel. |
| Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin | Preservative system | A widely-used, named preservative pair that keeps the product safe over its life — not a vague 'preservative system'. |
| Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer | Gel base / texture | The light gel-cream structure that gives the matte, fast-absorbing feel. |
| Tocopherol | Antioxidant | Vitamin E, to protect the oils in the formula. |
| Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate | Stabiliser | A biodegradable chelator that keeps the formula stable. |
Notice what leads the list: water, humectants, and light emollients — not butters and waxes. That ordering is what makes Handvela absorb in seconds and finish non-greasy, so you can reapply after every hand wash without a film on your hands. The Original variant is identical to the fragrance-free one plus a low level of IFRA-certified fragrance (with any allergens declared individually on-pack); the fragrance-free variant adds no fragrance and no masking scent.
/What we deliberately leave out
- Heavy occlusives as the base — petrolatum, lanolin, mineral oil, thick waxes, and rich butters make a cream feel luxurious once but leave the slick film that stops you reapplying during the day (and petrolatum under latex gloves is a known concern for clinicians).
- Added fragrance, in the fragrance-free option — no fragrance material at all, not even a masking scent, which is the right choice for clinical and food-service work and for fragrance-sensitive skin.
- Drying alcohols (denatured/SD alcohol) and harsh preservatives (MIT/CMIT, formaldehyde donors) — they work against the goal of being kind to frequently-washed hands.
- Medical actives and drug claims — Handvela is a cosmetic moisturiser, not a treatment. It makes no medical claims.
/Fragrance-free vs. 'unscented'
These are not the same thing. 'Unscented' products often still contain a masking fragrance to cover the smell of the base. 'Fragrance-free' means no fragrance material is added at all. Handvela's fragrance-free variant is genuinely fragrance-free — the right default for healthcare, food preparation, and scent-sensitive skin. If you want a light scent, the Original variant carries a low level of certified fragrance instead.
Where Handvela fits
The short version: Handvela leads with humectants and light emollients plus a 1% ectoin hero for fast absorption and a matte finish, uses only a light dimethicone dry-down instead of heavy occlusives, names its preservative (phenoxyethanol + ethylhexylglycerin), and offers a genuinely fragrance-free option.
Frequently asked
What is the full ingredient list for Handvela?
The full published formula (fragrance-free variant) is: Aqua, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C13-15 Alkane, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Squalane, Isoamyl Laurate, Dimethicone, Ectoin (1%), Betaine, Phenoxyethanol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Sodium PCA, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate. The Original variant adds a low level of IFRA-certified Parfum with allergens declared. This full INCI is printed on every tube.
What preservative does Handvela use?
The preservative system is phenoxyethanol with ethylhexylglycerin — a widely-used, well-tolerated pair. We name it rather than hiding it behind a vague 'preservative system', so you can check it against any known sensitivities.
What is ectoin and why is it in Handvela?
Ectoin is a naturally-occurring extremolyte that binds water and helps skin cope with stress like repeated washing. It is included at a target 1% as a non-tacky humectant that supports hydration without a sticky feel — a cosmetic conditioning ingredient, not a medical treatment. It's the one ingredient here that the typical drugstore hand cream doesn't carry.
Is Handvela free of heavy oils and butters?
Yes — Handvela deliberately does not use heavy occlusives like petrolatum, lanolin, thick waxes, or rich butters as its base, because those leave the greasy film. It uses light emollients, a fast dry-down fluid, and a light dimethicone film-former instead, for a matte, fast-absorbing finish.
Does the fragrance-free version really have no fragrance?
Yes. 'Fragrance-free' means no fragrance material is added — not even a masking scent. That is different from 'unscented', which often still contains a masking fragrance.
Is Handvela suitable for sensitive skin?
The fragrance-free option removes one common source of irritation, which makes it a sensible default for sensitive skin. Everyone's skin is different, so patch-test any new product, and for a diagnosed skin condition check with a healthcare professional.
Note: Handvela is a cosmetic hand cream, not a medical product, and makes no medical claims. Ingredient sensitivities vary — patch-test any new product, and if you have a skin condition or known allergy, check with a healthcare professional.
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