Beauty

post updated Apr. 10, 2023

Everyone Needs an Amazing Hand Cream, So We Rounded Up the Absolute Best

Give your hands the good stuff.

By Caitlin Clark

You know the feeling. It starts at your fingertips, working its way up to your wrist until you can’t focus on anything beyond hunting down the best hand creams for dry skin. It could have been the work of an especially astringent soap or particularly desert-y air, but there’s only one solution—hopefully, it’s lying within an easily accessible pocket near you.

Here’s the thing though: your hand cream of choice has to be good. And because you don’t want to be slathering on something that evaporates moments later, or stays so slick you have to wash your hands (a vicious cycle), the moment also calls for a quality cream, which comes armed with a higher concentration of oils than typical lotions.

Finding a perfect hand cream is like discovering your own personal holy grail—a feeling matched only by rolling on a truly solid chapstick. Ahead, we break down the 25 absolute best hand creams for dry skin money can buy in 2022, from vegan formulas and budget-friendly finds to luxurious additions to keep in your purse.

Featured image of EADEM co-founder, Marie Kouadio Amouzame by Belathée Photography.

Babba Rivera working at desk_best hand creams for dry skin — Image by Belathée Photography

What are the hand cream ingredients for dry skin?

Though our 25 picks cater to a variety of concerns and budgets, there are a few things all great hand creams have in common.

“The main ingredients to look for are ceramides, glycerin, dimethicone, and petrolatum for very dry skin,” shares board-certified dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Geddes-Bruce. “If the skin is thick and scaly, I might also opt for lactic acid or urea.”

Catherine McCord applying morning skincare routine_best hand creams for dry skin — Image by Teal Thomsen

The Best Drugstore Hand Creams Under $10

CeraVe Therapeutic Hand Cream

u003cpu003eThe non-greasy formula from this derm-favorite brand immediately soothes with zero slickness. u003c/pu003e

Eucerin Advanced Repair Hand Cream

u003cpu003eThousands of five-star reviews don’t lie—the brand’s unscented, ceramide-infused formula goes gentle on hands but works hard to repair dry, cracked skin. u003c/pu003e

Gold Bond Hand Cream for Eczema Relief

u003cpu003eAnother affordable option with unbeatable reviews, Gold Bond’s formula is a prime drugstore pick when tackling eczema. u003c/pu003e

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Hands

u003cpu003eThis budget-friendly French cream features hydrating niacinamide and absorbs quickly for instant relief that lasts. u003c/pu003e

O’Keeffe’s Working Hands Hand Cream

u003cpu003eArmed with glycerin and emollient mineral oil, O’Keeffe’s highly concentrated cream can bring even the most cracked hands back from the brink. u003c/pu003e

Public Goods Hand Cream

u003cpu003eA chic standby to keep handy in your purse, Public Goods’ cream is loaded with glycerin, essential oils, and shea butter. u003c/pu003e

Megan O'Neill holding green smoothie_best hand creams for dry skin — Image by Belathée Photography

The Best Luxury Hand Creams

54 Thrones African Beauty Butter

u003cpu003eA little goes a long with 54 Thrones’ ultra luxurious cream, packed with ethically-sourced shea butter and baobab and jojoba oils. u003c/pu003e

Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm

u003cpu003eWith an alluring citrusy-woody scent and natural butters, Aesop’s luxe cream earns its u0022resurrectionu0022 claim. u003c/pu003e

Chanel La Creme Main

u003cpu003eThe only evidence this favorite, fast-absorbing formula leaves behind is a soft floral scent and beautifully moisturized hands. u003c/pu003e

La Mer The Hand Treatment

u003cpu003eThis bestseller is infused with the iconic brand’s signature, nutrient-dense u0022Miracle Brothu0022 for an ultra silky solution.u003c/pu003e

Le Labo Hinoki Hand Pomade

u003cpu003eFor a plant-based formula with a rich, evocative scent, you can always count on Le Labo. u003c/pu003e

Lauren Ireland morning routine_best hand creams for dry skin — Image by Emma Bassil

The Best Unscented Hand Creams for Sensitive Skin

ATTITUDE Hand Cream with Oatmeal for Sensitive Skin Care

u003cpu003eThe Canada-based brand known for its natural, hypoallergenic personal care products delivers with an avocado- and oil-infused formula that keeps dryness at bay. u003c/pu003e

Cetaphil Eczema Restoraderm Soothing Moisturizer

u003cpu003eWhen you’re dealing with serious eczema, you need a clinically proven brand you can trust. u003c/pu003e

Nécessaire The Hand Cream

u003cpu003ePacked with peptides and vitamin C, Nécessaire’s fragrance-free formula goes above and beyond in the hydrating department. u003c/pu003e

best hand creams for dry skin — Image by Ka Vang

The Best Anti-Aging Hand Creams

Jan Marini Marini ReNu Corrective Hand Complex

u003cpu003eThis retinol-infused cream targets fine lines and wrinkles while nourishing hands with deeply hydrating ingredients.u003c/pu003e

Mario Badescu Special Hand Cream with Vitamin E

u003cpu003eThe antioxidant-packed cream feels intensely rich, especially considering the price tag. Vitamin A, vitamin E, and wheat germ oils deliver a moisture boost for silky-soft hands.u003c/pu003e

Natura Bissé Diamond Extreme Hand Cream

u003cpu003eThis ultra-luxe cream is formulated with niacinamide, hydrolyzed collagen, antioxidants, and rich, buttery oils to fortify your hands’ moisture barrier. u003c/pu003e

Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+ Hand Therapy

u003cpu003ePerricone MD formulas—including their hand therapy cream—are miracle workers when it comes to mature, u003ca href=u0022https://camillestyles.com/beauty/best-body-lotions-for-crepey-skin/u0022u003ecrepey skinu003c/au003e. u003c/pu003e

Nitsa Citrine_best hand creams for dry skin — Image by Claire Huntsberger

The Best Hand Creams With SPF

Deborah Lippmann Rich Girl – Broad Spectrum SPF 25 Hand Cream

u003cpu003eThis multifaceted cream is packed with shea butter, brightening botanicals, and broad spectrum SPF to hydrate and protect. u003c/pu003e

Unsun Cosmetics Hand Cream SPF 15

u003cpu003eHydrating, gentle emollients, coconut oil, and anti-aging extracts combine with mineral SPF for a perfect everyday hand cream. u003c/pu003e

Supergoop! Handscreen SPF 40

u003cpu003eThis crowd-pleasing cream targets loss of firmness with powerful antioxidants while protecting the delicate, sun-exposed skin on your hands. u003c/pu003e

Marie Kouadio Amouzame_best hand creams for dry skin — Image by Belathée Photography

The Best Vegan Hand Creams for Dry Skin

Aveda Hand Relief Moisturizing Cream

u003cpu003eHydrating plant emollients and antioxidants combine for a fuss-free, ultra hydrating cream that always gets the job done. u003c/pu003e

Grown Alchemist Intensive Hand Cream

u003cpu003eThe cult-loved brand’s upped the power of their gorgeous vegan hand cream with this intensive formula, featuring rose and argon extracts. u003c/pu003e

SPARITUAL Citrus Cardamom Vegan Hand Salve

u003cpu003eThe spa-inspired cream offers a heavenly scent that nourishes with antioxidant-rich Marula oil, shea butter, and honeybush extract.u003c/pu003e

Weleda Soothing Sensitive Skin Almond Hand Cream

u003cpu003eThis beloved, skin strengthening formula works hard on sensitive hands and leaves a lovely fresh scent. u003c/pu003e

Do you have a favorite, tried-and-true hand cream? Share your recommendations in the comments!