Whether or not you're a fan of the colder months of the year, there's no denying they can do a number on your skin thanks to dryer air that can leave hands feeling cracked and irritated.
What's more: We're also likely washing our hands more frequently during the winter months to help ward off illness, which can also contribute to dryness.
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Dry skin on the hands isn't just a cosmetic issue, dermatologist Kristina Collins, MD, co-founder and CEO of Austin Skin in Austin, Texas, points out: "Chronic dry skin on the hands can lead to eczematous rashes, burning and itching, as well as [cracks] and inflammation," she says.
Hand cream to the rescue! A high-quality cream can repair the skin and help prevent dry, cracked hands altogether. Here are the best hand creams for the job.
The Best Hand Creams for Dry Skin
- Best Overall: La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Hand Cream ($10.99, Amazon)
- Best on a Budget: Vaseline Petroleum Jelly ($14.97 for a 3-pack, Amazon)
- Best for Aging Skin: Necessaire The Hand Cream ($25, Necessaire)
- Best for Working Hands: Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Moisturizing Hand Cream ($4.49, Target)
- Best Drugstore Buy: CeraVe Therapeutic Hand Cream ($9.74, Walgreens)
- Best for Cracked Hands: Kiehl's Ultimate Strength Hand Salve ($15.40, Kiehl's)
- Best for Extremely Dry Skin: DRMTLGY Concentrated Hand Cream ($9.95, Amazon)
- Best With SPF: Supergoop! Hand Screen ($14, Sephora)
- Best for Eczema: Avene Cicalfate Restorative Hand Cream ($18.23, Amazon)
- Best Lightweight: Dove Body Love Sensitive Care Hand Cream ($17.88 for a 4-pack, Amazon)
How We Chose
We chatted with dermatologists who broke down the most important features to look for in a hand cream specifically for dry skin. Our top picks are based on their criteria, including:
- Ingredients
- Consistency
- Non-comedogenic
- Cost
Find more information on how we choose and cover products here.
1. La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Hand Cream
Pros
- Fragrance-free and good for sensitive skin
- High ratings
- Quality ingredients
Cons
- Pricey for a small bottle
This non-greasy hand cream has been dermatologically tested to provide 48-hour hydration and is a great option for those with sensitive skin, as it is fragrance-free and paraben-free, notes Marisa Garshick, MD, dermatologist at Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in New York City.
“It uses a blend of shea butter as an emollient to soften the skin, glycerin as a humectant to draw moisture in and niacinamide to calm the skin,” she says. “It feels soothing on the skin and can be used as needed.”
2. Vaseline Petroleum Jelly
Pros
- Affordable
- Has stood the test of time
- Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic
Cons
- Sticky
- Doesn’t absorb quickly
You can’t beat the price or efficacy of good old Vaseline, which has been used for more than 150 years.
“As an occlusive, this petrolatum-based ointment works to lock moisture in, helping to reduce dryness of the skin, making it a great option for those with dry or cracked hands, as it also serves as a barrier to protect the skin from external irritants,” says Dr. Garshick.
“It is especially good to apply before bedtime to be able to wake up with softer and smoother hands.”
3. Necessaire The Hand Cream
Pros
- Rich in ceramides and peptides
- Safe for all skin types
Cons
- Pricey
- Small tube
It may be on the pricey side, but this all-in-one hand cream packs a serious hydration punch that your hands will soak right up.
It contains a combination of ceramides and peptides to help support the skin barrier and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while improving the overall texture of the hands, explains Dr. Garshick.
“It also contains niacinamide to soothe the skin and support the skin barrier and is fragrance-free and non-comedogenic so can be used by all skin types,” she adds.
4. Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Affordable
- Clinically proven
- Excellent reviews
Cons
- Can leave hands greasy
If your day job involves a lot of hands-on physical labor, your hands probably take a beating. Also, if you’re in the medical field, you’re probably washing your hands on repeat, which exacerbates dryness.
Enter: this hand cream that’s great for dry, rough hands.
“This glycerin-rich formulation is deeply hydrating and long-lasting,” says Dr. Garshick. “Only a small amount is needed to provide relief, and it works to make the skin feel softer and smoother.”
5. CeraVe Therapeutic Hand Cream
Pros
- Affordable
- Fragrance-free
- Non-greasy
Cons
- Can go on thick and be hard to rub in
CeraVe is known for using few and simple ingredients that work to target skin issues, including dry skin. The brand's therapeutic hand cream is formulated with ceramides, which hydrate the skin and help protect the skin barrier.
It’s non-greasy and acts as a skin protectant, notes Dr. Garshick, who says this is a great option for those with eczema and for people with sensitive skin who are looking for all-day hydration.
6. Kiehl's Ultimate Strength Hand Salve
Pros
- Rich in hydrating oils
- Protects the skin barrier
- Doesn’t leave skin greasy
Cons
- More expensive than some similar products
If your hands are so dry they’re cracking, you’ll need a heavy-duty hand cream to restore adequate moisture.
This thick hand salve is formulated with shea butter, avocado oil, eucalyptus oil and sesame seed oil to help protect the skin and repair the skin barrier, providing overall benefits for the skin while improving the appearance of cracked dry hands.
7. DRMTLGY Concentrated Hand Cream
Pros
- Free from potentially harmful ingredients
- Doesn’t leave the skin feeling greasy
- Safe for all skin types
Cons
- Some reviewers don’t like the smell
If your hands are extremely dry, as is the rest of your body, this hand cream is a great thing to carry around.
Thanks to its small size, you can place it in your bag, backpack or even your pocket. It is free from fragrance, sulfates, parabens and gluten, making it a great option even for those with sensitive skin.
“Using glycerin, a humectant, it leaves the hands feeling softer and smoother, without leaving them feeling greasy,” adds Dr. Garshick.
8. Supergoop! Hand Screen
Pros
- Protects against UVA and UVB
- Improves skin tone
- Fast-absorbing
- Non-greasy feel
Cons
- May not be moisturizing enough for very dry hands
- Some reviewers don't like the smell
While any sunscreen can be used on your hands, Dr. Garshick points out that this sunscreen is specifically designed for the hands, as it is both hydrating and fast-absorbing.
“It also contains antioxidants to help protect the skin against free radical damage and brighten the overall skin tone and works to brighten the skin and improve the appearance of brown spots and discoloration," she says.
9. Avene Cicalfate Restorative Hand Cream
Pros
- Safe for sensitive skin
- Fragrance-free
- Restores damaged skin
Cons
- Some reviewers don't like the smell
- Some reviewers say it leaves a chalky residue
This hydrating and nourishing cream is specifically designed for dry, cracked skin.
“It helps to replenish moisture and boost the skin barrier and has been shown to last through five hand washings,” says Dr. Garshick. “It also includes Avene Thermal Spring Water which has been shown to soften, soothe and calm the skin.”
10. Dove Body Love Sensitive Care Hand Cream
Pros
- Affordable
- Non-greasy
- Free from potentially harmful ingredients
Cons
- Not thick enough for some reviewers
If you’re looking for a lightweight hand cream that’s safe for sensitive skin but helps increase hydration, look no further than this product from Dove.
It contains ceramides, which strengthen the skin barrier and help protect against dryness, and it absorbs quickly so you don’t have to worry about your hands feeling greasy.
What to Look for in a Hand Cream for Dry Skin
Here are some features dermatologists recommend looking for when shopping for a hand cream for dry skin.
1. Ingredients
Ingredients matter, especially when it comes to moisturizing and hydration for your hands.
Dr. Garshick recommends looking for humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid, which work to draw moisture into the skin (especially if you apply them immediately after washing your hands).
"When using humectants on the skin, it is important to also apply an occlusive to help lock that moisture in. Some products will be formulated with both ingredients to minimize moisture loss," she says. Petrolatum is a common occlusive.
For those with red or irritated skin, she also points out the importance of ingredients that can help soothe the skin, such as niacinamide, which has a calming and anti-inflammatory effect.
Tip
“For someone who is experiencing significant itching, flaking or redness, it may also be wise to see a board-certified dermatologist to discuss possible prescription treatment options,” Dr. Garshick says.
2. Price
Price is an important factor when it comes to a topical hand cream, mainly due to the fact that you may go through it quite quickly, especially during winter.
"A more expensive product may make you want to conserve it, which could potentiate the issue of dry skin," Dr. Garshick says.
3. Consistency
Dr. Garshick recommends looking for thicker creams and ointments if you're trying to remedy dry skin.
"While not always as easy to apply, thicker creams and ointments tend to be more effective on the hands as compared to lightweight lotions as they often provide an occlusive barrier that can effectively lock moisture in," she says.
When applying these thicker creams or ointments, she recommends doing so right after washing your hands to help with absorption.
"You can also wear cotton gloves overnight after applying a cream or ointment to the hands to help leave them feeling softer and smoother upon waking up," she adds.
Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.