Keeping your hands moisturized is a more prominent concern for many during the colder months, but it’s not the only factor that leads to dry, flakey skin. Washing your hands, using hand sanitizer and doing dishes can also strip moisture from the skin and sometimes leads to irritation. The resulting hand dryness can range in severity from a few flakey patches to dermatitis, a type of irritation that may cause cracks in the skin and make you more prone to infections, says Dr. Benjamin Ungar, assistant professor at Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine.
If you’re suffering from dry hands, we talked to dermatologists about the best ways to treat them, as well as steps you can take to avoid irritation in the first place. We also rounded up expert’s favorite products for treating dry skin, and some ointments, creams and lotions we’ve tried ourselves.
SKIP AHEAD The best hand creams in 2024
How we picked the best hand creams
When shopping for a hand cream of your own, experts recommend keeping the following in mind:
- Formulation: Thicker products are better when it comes to shopping for products that heal dry hands, according to Dr. William Huang, professor of medicine at Wake Forest School of Medicine’s dermatology department. Thick creams and ointments create a protective barrier around dry skin, which keeps moisture in and helps hydrate your hands, he said. Balms and ointments tend to moisturize better than creams and lotions, especially if you’re experiencing more severe dryness.
- Ingredients: Consider lotions, creams and ointments with hydrating ingredients, including petrolatum, ceramides and colloidal oatmeal, says Huang.
- Fragrance-free products: Experts say fragrances can irritate the skin, especially if you have sensitive or eczema-prone skin. However, if you like fragranced products and you don’t have sensitive skin, experts say you should be fine as far as irritation goes.
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The best creams, lotions and ointments for dry hands in 2024
Moisturizing your hands is the best way to help heal — and prevent — dry skin, experts told us. With their guidance in mind, we rounded up a handful of products below to help you heal dry, cracked hands, along with their own picks and those recommended by Select staff.
Aquaphor Healing Ointment
Aquaphor says its ointment is formulated with petroleum to heal skin, as well as moisturizing panthenol and glycerin, according to the brand. You can purchase Aquaphor in tubes and jars, and it’s available in multiple sizes.
Vaseline Original Healing Jelly
Vaseline says it’s made with 100% petroleum to lock in moisture. The healing jelly comes in jars, spray, tubes and sticks and is available in multiple sizes. I use the brand’s Body Balm Stick to apply Vaseline to patches of dry skin on the backs of my hands and knuckles. The balm stick helps me target specific areas that are usually the most irritated during the winter.
CeraVe Healing Ointment
CeraVe Healing Ointment is a balm made with petroleum, hyaluronic acid and ceramides to hydrate and restore the skin’s barrier, according to the brand. CeraVe says it’s safe to use on all skin types and has a non-greasy feel.
Aveeno Intense Relief Hand Cream
According to the brand, this rich cream provides up to 24 hours of intensive moisture. It’s also made with colloidal oatmeal, which the brand says helps create a protective barrier around the skin.
EltaMD So Silky Hand Créme
EltaMD says its So Silky Hand Créme has a non-sticky formula and is designed to moisturize skin for up to 12 hours. The lotion is formulated with vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps reduce signs of aging, the brand says, as well as ceramides to help repair the skin’s barrier.
Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream
Neutrogena’s Norwegian Formula Hand Cream contains glycerin, which allows the skin to retain moisture, according to the brand. Neutrogena says its formula is highly concentrated to help hydrate skin and relieve itchiness, irritation and roughness on hands.
Eucerin Advanced Repair Hand Cream
Eucerin’s Advanced Repair Hand Cream is thick and rich, and I use it when my hands are severely dry or cracked. I slather it on before I go to sleep and the next morning I notice significant improvement — my hands are softer and don’t hurt as much. The cream contains moisturizing ceramides and is designed to quickly absorb into the skin, the brand says.
O’Keeffe’s Working Hands Cream
Lauren Swanson, NBC Select editorial director, recommends O’Keeffe’s Working Hands Cream, which the brand says repairs “extremely dry, cracked” skin. The cream creates a protective layer on the skin’s surface to lock in moisture and keep hands hydrated, according to O’Keeffe’s.
Grown Alchemist Hand Cream
NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio loves this hand cream for on-the-go winter moisture — “it makes my hands feel so soft and smooth, plus the vanilla and orange scent smells amazing,” she says. It’s formulated with antioxidants for maximum nourishment, and comes in scents like vanilla and orange peel, sweet almond, and more.
Jones Road Hippie Stick Everywhere Balm
I don’t like rubbing cream all over my hands while working because it often transfers onto my computer while typing. Jones Road’s Hippie Stick Everywhere Balm solves this problem. I can exclusively apply the balm — which is similar to a sunscreen stick — to the back of my hands to target specific dry areas. The balm has a buttery feel and has a minty scent due to the essential oils it’s formulated with. Jones Road says you can apply the balm to any area on your body that needs moisture, like your heels, elbows, face and more.
Deborah Lippman Rich Girl Hand Cream
Deborah Lippman’s hand cream — which Swanson recommends — moisturizes skin and protects it from sun damage with its SPF 25 formula. The cream is made from ingredients like shea butter, avocado oil and jojoba oil. For maximum sun protection, the brand recommends applying the hand cream 15 minutes prior to sun exposure and reapplying every two hours.
Dionis Milk & Honey Goat Milk Hand Cream
Made with natural goat milk for maximum skin nourishment and hydration, NBC Page Hannah Fuetchman recommends this nutrient-rich moisturizer. It’s packed with proteins, iron and vitamins, and it’s also safe for use on all skin types, according to the brand.
L’Occitane Cherry Blossom Hand Cream
This hand cream from L’Occitane gets its cherry blossom scent from cherry extract. It has a non-greasy feel, the brand says, and is made with shea butter to moisturize skin. NBC Select editorial operations associate Rebecca Rodriguez said she loves the fragrance this hand cream leaves behind, and that it’s very smooth and seeps right into her skin.
Evolvetogether Hydrating Hand Cream
This hand cream, one of my favorites, is formulated with a BCE vitamin complex that’s meant to nourish parched skin, according to the brand. It is also lightweight, non-greasy, and helps to neutralize odors after being applied.
Ten Over Ten The Heroine
Swanson also recommends Ten Over Ten’s The Heroine cream. It includes hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and fatty acids from sunflowers, as well as antioxidants and vitamin C to brighten skin and fade dark spots. Ten Over Ten says the cream softens and smoothes skin, and recommends using the product at least twice a day.
Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve
Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve — recommended by NBC Select reporter Harry Rabinowitz — is formulated with botanical oils and natural wax derived from olive to soothe dry, cracked skin, according to the brand. Kiehl’s says the salve forms a protective barrier on skin to prevent moisture loss. “I like that Kiehl’s is easy to spread, relatively unscented and leaves a feeling of lasting comfort and hydration,” says Rabinowitz.
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Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Benjamin Ungar is an assistant professor at Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine.
- Dr. William Huang is a professor of medicine in Wake Forest School of Medicine’s dermatology department.
Why trust NBC Select?
Zoe Malin is an associate updates editor at NBC Select, specializing in topics like home and kitchen, wellness and fitness, pets and household basics from toothpaste to olive oil.
Ashley Morris is an associate SEO reporter for NBC Select, covering skin care, wellness, home and kitchen, lifestyle and more. For this piece, they interviewed medical professionals on the best hand creams for dry skin, including how to use them and tips on shopping for one of your own.
Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.
