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The 10 Best Hand Creams, According to Experts On Dry Skin & Eczema
The hand creams we love ranked on scent, feel, and honest reviews
The best hand cream is rich but sinks into your skin quickly. It has a light, pleasant scent that's not overwhelming when you apply it discretely on the subway or at a restaurant waiting for your friend to join you. You want it to protect your hands from sun spots and wrinkles and prevent the painful signs of dryness (hangnails). If you're prone to eczema, it should help treat flare-ups, too.
Shop The Best Hand Creams for Dry Skin
With cold weather and flu season coming, it's smart to have a hand cream stashed in your purse or bedside table. "Cold air holds less moisture, leading to low humidity, which dehydrates the skin," esthetician Emme Diane Burg tells Bazaar. "But it’s not just the cold. Indoors we’re cranking up the heaters, which also zap moisture from the air, leaving the skin even more vulnerable to dryness and dehydration. Additionally, people use hotter water when it’s cold, and hot water strips the skin of its natural oils. And because we tend to wash our hands more often during cold and flu season, the hot water combined with hand soap can be pretty harsh on our hands."
We have high standards for hand creams (face and body creams, too), so we consulted expert dermatologists, estheticians, beauty editors, and real reviewers to find the 10 best hand lotions for dry skin.
Eau Thermale Avène Cicalfate Hand Cream
Pros
- Award-winning formula
- Lasts through 5 hand washings
- Award-winning formula
Cons
This Avéne hand lotion was the clear favorite among the dermatologists and estheticians we polled. The key ingredient is thermal spring water, which has been clinically shown by 150 studies to soothe, soften, and calm the skin. It's simple, affordable, and effective.
One reviewer says: "I used to struggle with cracked, split skin on my fingertips as soon as the temperature dropped below freezing. But since I began using the Cicalfate hand cream, I no longer have to deal with skin damage from dehydration. My hands look smooth and even younger than they should." -Barb G.
Pros
- Contains SPF 40
- Rich in omega-7 fatty acids to help condition skin
Cons
- Allow 30 seconds for product to absorb
Like the rest of your body, hands should be slathered with SPF even during winter. You can use a facial sunscreen or a body formula, but we'd recommend the Supergoop! Handscreen, a nongreasy SPF 40 formulated specifically for the delicate skin on the hands. Bonus: It can protect your hands from UV exposure during a gel manicure.
One reviewer says: "I had multiple skin spots removed on the top of both hands for cancer concerns and needed a sunscreen to protect the new skin. This cream not only protected my skin but felt wonderful on too. I highly recommend using it." -Janet S.
Pros
- Formulated with squalane, glycerin and snow mushroom for long lasting hydration
- Fast-absorbing formula
Cons
- Scent is noticeably less potent than the Missing Person perfume
First packaged as a perfume, Phlur Missing Person broke the internet, and the brand put it into a body oil, lotion, and this small-sized hand cream. The tube fits in your smallest purse, leaves hands softer after one use, and the scent is warm and familiar to anyone who wears it.
One reviewer says: "I’m usually disappointed by new hand creams I impulse buy on the internet, but Phlur’s has the perfect intensity of smell (not overpowering) and non-oily, soft feel after using. Good purchase for me." -Hannah P.
Pros
- Fragrance-free formula
- National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance
- Under-$12 price point
Cons
Fragrance-free and formulated with hyaluronic acid to restore moisture to the skin and ceramides to seal it in, this CeraVe lotion is a foolproof pick for anyone with dry hands or sensitive skin.
One reviewer says: "I love this hand cream! It soaks in fast, super moisturizing, and doesn't leave my hands feeling greasy. It's a great size for my purse or my desk at work." -Kristine C.
Gold Bond Ultimate Skin Protectant Hand Cream for Eczema Relief, 2% Colloidal Oatmeal
Pros
- Specially formulated for eczema-prone skin
- National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance
- Fragrance-free formula
- Under-$10 price point
Cons
- May take a minute for formula to fully absorb
For those with eczema or hand dermatitis (about 10 percent of the population), a medicated hand cream might be the way to go. This one comes highly recommended and contains several humectants and ceramides, nourishing antioxidants, and two percent colloidal oatmeal which can soothe irritation and help reduce inflammation.
One reviewer says: "I get eczema patches on my fingers and arms when I’m stressed out, so I don’t need to use this lotion every day but I find myself reaching for it anyway because it’s moisturizing and absorbs nicely. It’s a thicker lotion but it still sinks into the skin quickly. It helps my skin to feel less itchy and the eczema patches 'heal' faster (until I get stressed out and they come back, but you get what I mean)." -Jacquline R.
Pros
- Moisturizes hands for up to 48 hours
- Fast-absorbing formula
- Fragrance-free formula
- Under-$12 price point
Cons
- May take a minute for formula to fully absorb
La-Roche Posay's hand cream contains niacinamide to fade hand discoloration, while shea butter helps repair the skin's hydrolipidic barrier. We particularly love this for chronically chapped hands in the winter.
One reviewer says: "This is the best hand cream I have ever used. It is not thick, just the right consistency to do the job. It feels like it absorbs deep and hydrates the hands from within." -Tereza G.
rare beauty by selena gomez Find Comfort Hydrating Hand Cream
Pros
- Creative hand-massaging compact
- Calming scent
- Hydrates hands for up to 16 hours
Cons
- Some may find the scent potent
Selena Gomez formulated her Rare Beauty hand cream with a calming scent of jasmine and lemon zest. The cute little packaging doubles as a hand massager, releasing any tension held in the palm.
One reviewer says: "Absolutely love this hand cream, everything from the packaging to the scent to the moisture. The scent truly relaxes me during my stressful work." -Ella
Pros
- Fragrance-free formula
- Reduces the appearance of skin discolorations
- Brightens the appearance of skin tone
Cons
- For best results, use regularly
This cream contains ceramides, vitamin E, glycerin (a great humectant), and jojoba esters to moisturize the skin. It also contains clary sage extract, which reduces pigmentation, brightens, and evens the hand’s skin tone.
One reviewer says: "This hand cream is great! What it says on the bottle…it actually delivers! I like that it’s fragrance-free, so it doesn’t interfere with any perfume I might have on. It absorbs right away and isn’t greasy, so you can rub it in and get on with your day! I like that it has ceramides and antioxidants in it too. I’m becoming more aware of the skin on my hands the older I get!" -Katie R.
Pros
- 98% natural origin ingredients
- Fully recyclable packaging designed using recycled plastic and glass
Cons
Caudalie's hand cream is specifically formulated to treat dryness in hands and nails, so you won't need to add additional cuticle oil to your routine. It's the perfect hand cream to keep at your bedside.
One reviewer says: "I picked this up at the airport and was worried I wouldn’t find it online. Here it is. It’s transformative and I will have it delivered regularly. My hands, nails and cuticles love this." -Krissy
Pros
- Award-winning formula
- Immediately soothes skin
- Free from silicones
- Portable compact
Cons
Beloved for a reason, the L'Occitane hand cream comes in a chic compact (they used aluminum packaging before it was trendy), and it leaves hands softer after one application.
One reviewer says: "This lotion does not fail. It is so thick and hydrating so it lasts forever — I don't have to constantly keep reapplying. It is a staple to carry around with me everywhere and I love to gift it to my friends and family as gifts!" -Eunice
Meet the Experts
• Omer Ibrahim, M.D., F.A.A.D., is a board-certified dermatologist at Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology.
• Emme Diane Burg is an esthetician and the founder and CEO of Emme Diane Skincare.
What should I look for in a hand cream?
According to board-certified dermatologist Omer Ibrahim, an effective hand cream will include occlusive ingredients, like shea butter and coconut oil, and barrier-strengthening ingredients, like ceramides or squalane. The list above checks these boxes. However, some people, like those with eczema or extra dry skin, may prefer petroleum jelly. "Some people may even require thick salve-like balms like Albolene or Aquaphor," says Ibrahim.
How can I stop my hands from getting dry?
The best way to avoid dryness is to moisturize your hands regularly, "ideally right after washing your hands when they are still slightly damp," says Diane Burg. "I also recommend applying a thicker hand cream or ointment at night to deeply hydrate and repair any fissures or cracks from extreme dryness."
In addition to stocking up on hand cream, consider a gentle, pH-balanced hand soap for your bathroom and kitchen." Opting for a gentle, fragrance-free soap and rinsing with lukewarm water is best to prevent stripping your hands of their natural oils," adds Diane Burg. "And although convenient, avoid using hand sanitizers that have a high alcohol content as they will just make matters worse."
Lastly, protect your hands. "Wearing fleece gloves outdoors, especially if you live in or are visiting a cold climate, can shield your skin from the harsh elements. Additionally, always use rubber gloves when cleaning or doing dishes to minimize prolonged contact with water and cleaning products," the esthetician adds. But if you can't remember to wear your gloves daily and notice early signs of dryness, using your hand cream can work wonders.
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For more than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.
