Put a Ring on It: Hydrating Hand Creams for Holiday Marriage Proposal Season

The Proposal by Giacomo Mantegazza (1853-1920)

Happy Thanksgiving week! Not only do Americans spend this special holiday connecting and calorie loading with family and friends, they also have a higher likelihood of getting engaged. Chalk it up to the sugar rush of pumpkin pies or the mass consumption of alcoholic beverages, but Thanksgiving curiously marks the start of proposal season--which lasts until the end of the year.

More than one in four grooms ask for their bride's hand in marriage on Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or New Year's Eve. In fact, the months of November and December account for more than 25% of proposals, according to some reports. This means if you see someone getting down on bended knee during the holidays, chances are he probably doesn't intend to pick up cookie crumbs off the carpet. 

In honor of marriage proposal season, we've compiled several hand creams, lotions and scrubs. They not only promote the appearance of silky smooth hands, but they also deliver the moisture needed to fend off dry skin during the winter months. We can't guarantee that you'll be hearing wedding bells in your immediate future, but you'll definitely be the belle of the holiday ball.

SHINE: Ava Anderson Hand & Body Lotion. BEAUTY: Maximize moisture with aloe vera gel, shea butter, and sweet almond, pomegranate and coconut oils. BEACON: Vegan and no animal testing. Free of gluten, nuts, parabens, PEGs, SLS, triclosan, synthetic fragrances and dyes, phthalates, formaldehyde and nitrosamine.

SHINE: Elizabeth Grant Hand & Foot Cream. BEAUTY: Aloe vera extract and vitamin E nourish chapped hands, elbows and heels. BEACON: No animal testing. Supports Mount Sinai Hospital and Sick Kids Foundation.

SHINE: Fleur's Velvet Hand Cream. BEAUTY: Soften skin and prevent dehydration with shea and cocoa butters, sweet almond oil and honey extract. BEACON: No animal testing and vegan. Free of fragrances, dyes, sulfates, petrolatum, alcohol, mineral oil and parabens.

SHINE: Lamas Beauty by Peter Lamas Spa Sensuals Hand Cream and Hand Scrub. BEAUTY: Shea butter, sweet almond oil, and green tea and aloe vera leaf extracts help remove dead skin cells and prevent moisture loss. BEACON: Vegan and no animal testing. Free of parabens. 

SHINE: LATHER AHA Hand Creme with Evening Primrose. BEAUTY: Smooth and soften hands with alpha hydroxy acids, evening primrose oil and lemongrass leaves. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of sulfates and parabens.

SHINE: M-61 Vitablast C Hand Cream. BEAUTY: Grape seed and avocado oils, aloe vera leaf juice and vitamin E help nourish and brighten dehydrated hands. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances and dyes. Supports Action Against Hunger. 

SHINE: Moonessence Hand & Body Moisturizer SPF 15 (Orange Honey). BEAUTY: Soothe dry skin and help prevent sunburn with aloe vera juice, coconut oil, zinc oxide and vitamin E. BEACON: Vegan and gluten free. Supports the Carousel Fund. 

SHINE: Phytoceane Hydra-Conditioning Hand Cream. BEAUTY: Green micro algae, red seaweed, shea butter and sweet almond oil increase skin's softness and suppleness. BEACON: Contains no parabens.

SHINE: Priti NYC Deep For Your Hands & Feet Organic Cream. BEAUTY: Stimulate circulation and promote youthful looking skin with shea butter, and grape seed, apricot kernel and peppermint oils. BEACON: No animal testing and vegan.