12 Hand Creams That’ll Save Your Cracked Skin
Quick question: Why is it so damn hard to find a really good hand cream? I mean, all I want is something that isn’t greasy, doesn’t smell like fake flowers or gross chemicals, and doesn’t require reapplication every 45 mins. And I bet now that the winter months (aka dry hands szn) is upon us, you’re probably looking for a really good hand cream to keep on you at all times too. Lucky for all of us, I tested a ton of creams and lotions to come up with this list of the 12 best hand creams. Each one that meets all my demands and deserves a spot in your bag next to your lipstick and blotting papers.
Neutrogena
ulta.com
$5.99
This gel formula will feel amaaaazing on your skin. The lightweight texture moisturizes your hands with hyaluronic acid but doesn’t feel the slightly bit greasy or sticky.
Avene
dermstore.com
$15.00
Because this hand cream is hypoallergenic and free of irritants, it’s practically made for skin that’s more on the sensitive side. The formula sinks into your skin instantly, leaving it feeling soft and hydrated (shout out to the glycerin and paraffin oil in the formula).
KAI
nordstrom.com
$21.00
Our beauty editor swears by this lightweight hand cream. Not only does is the scent unmatched (literally, it smells like you're sitting in a field of roses), but the mix of shea butter and sunflower oil keep your hands hydrated—no heavy residue included.
bluemercury.com
$18.00
Don't freak, but your hands are one of the first places are on your bod to show signs of aging. Thankfully, this hand cream exists to help delay the inevitable. It contains peptides to help firm skin and soften fine lines—plus vitamin E and hyaluronic acid to moisturize and nourish chapped skin.
L?wengrip Care & Color
amazon.com
Sure, all hand creams technically moisturize your cuticles, but this one is specifically formulated for your nail beds, too. It's filled with hydrating shea butter esters, which are quickly absorbed without leaving behind residue, and almond oil, which makes your hands smell like a literal snack.
Kiehl's Since 1851
kiehls.com
This thick, but not-at-all greasy, hand cream is infused with avocado oil, olive oil, and sesame seed oil, all of which work to wrap your skin in an intensely moisturizing, barrier-repairing hug. Plus, it's got a touch of eucalyptus oil, which gives the balm a fresh, light scent.
Supergoop!
sephora.com
Fact: Our hands are very vulnerable to sun damage. I mean, when was the last time you applied sunscreen on them? Exactly. Luckily, Supergoop has the perfect solution for all of us: a hand cream that's formulated with SPF 40. It has a combo of meadowfoam and argan oil, which work together to moisturize the skin without feeling too heavy.
Skinfix
www.sephora.com
If you have eczema, dermatitis, or chronic dry skin, it can be hard to find a hand cream that actually works. Enter: This Skinfix cream, which contains colloidal oatmeal, an ingredient that helps to calm redness and relieve dryness and itchiness. It also has natural butters and emollient oils that help rebuild your skin's barrier and keep you hydrated all day long.
Neutrogena
target.com
Germaphobes, this one's for you—it's the perfect hand cream if you're constantly washing your hands, and that's leaving them very dry. This hand cream has glycerin, which not only sucks in moisture, but locks it into your skin. Meaning yes, your hands will still be hydrated after you wash them. It's a bit on the heavier side, formula-wise, but it's a small tradeoff for incredibly soft, smooth hands.
CeraVe
dermstore.com
Seriously, what's the point of putting on a hand cream if it just leaves your phone and keyboard greasy? Luckily, this formula is fingers (and technology) approved to be non-gunky. And, added bonus, it has three key ingredients that help skin get moisturized and stay moisturized, including hyaluronic acid (to hydrate), niacinamide (to strengthen), and ceramides (to repair).
Weleda
amazon.com
This natural hand cream formula contains chamomile, sunflower seed oil, and avocado oil, all which come together to give your skin the plant-based hydration and nourishment it deserves. Bonus: This is a multi-purpose cream, meaning you can apply it on your hands, face, elbows, wherever.
Byredo
net-a-porter.com
Think of this formula as a perfume and hand cream hybrid. It has notes of pink pepper and white rose, balanced out by the notes of musk and sandalwood, making it perfect for when you want to smell like you've got your shit together—even when your bank account says otherwise.
12 Hand Creams That’ll Save Your Cracked Skin
Quick question: Why is it so damn hard to find a really good hand cream? I mean, all I want is something that isn’t greasy, doesn’t smell like fake flowers or gross chemicals, and doesn’t require reapplication every 45 mins. And I bet now that the winter months (aka dry hands szn) is upon us, you’re probably looking for a really good hand cream to keep on you at all times too. Lucky for all of us, I tested a ton of creams and lotions to come up with this list of the 12 best hand creams. Each one that meets all my demands and deserves a spot in your bag next to your lipstick and blotting papers.
Dry hands, who?
Solve the daily Crossword

