Best lotion for dry hands non greasy

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We updated this article in April 2022 to add more information about each featured product, based on extensive research done by our team (and that of our sister team at the Good Housekeeping Institute).

When temperatures fluctuate, your hands protest. Even if you don’t have naturally dry skin, “hands often react to changing temps, moisture-sapping indoor heat, and irritating gloves can lead to cracked, itchy, sometimes bleeding skin—that’s where the best hand creams come in,” says Diane Madfes, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City.

On top of those irritants, another culprit behind your unhappy knuckles is the sun. “The hands are one of the first places that start to show visible signs of aging, as they are often exposed to environmental aggressors like UV radiation, and are constantly being stripped of moisturizing oils from frequent hand washing,” says Tiffany Jow Libby, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and & Mohs surgeon based in Rhode Island.

In addition, you should also be washing your hands more often, especially in today’s COVID-19 era . “Our hands are exposed and constantly being used and washed compared to other body parts,” explains Yoon-Soo Cindy Bae, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York.

But with a moisturizing and soothing hand lotion, you’ll keep your hands smooth, supple, and way less irritated than they would be alone. “The right cream can help heal your cracked skin and prevent further moisture loss,” says Dr. Madfes.

Of course, it’s important to apply hand cream at night before going to bed, but you’ll also want to stash a bottle next to your sink: In general, you should give your hands a quick squirt of lotion every time you wash to prevent excessive dryness during the day, Dr. Madfes explains.

How we chose the best hand creams

We consulted Dr. Madfes, Dr. Cindy Bae, Dr. Libby, Heather Woolery-Lloyd, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in Florida and member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, the Good Housekeeping Institute who tests countless products to ensure a fair and accurate representation of each item, and countless customer reviews to find the best hand creams for healthier skin.

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  Best Hand Cream Overall

  Advanced Repair Hand Cream Eucerin

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  Best Value Hand Cream

  Cicaplast Hand Cream La Roche-Posay

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  Best Hand Cream for Eczema

  Therapeutic Hand Cream CeraVe

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  Best Hand Cream for People Who Don’t Like the Feel of Lotion

  Norwegian Formula Hand Cream Neutrogena

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  Best Nourishing Hand Cream

  Ultra Repair Cream First Aid Beauty

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Best Hand Cream Overall

Eucerin

Advanced Repair Hand Cream

Best Value Hand Cream

La Roche-Posay

Cicaplast Hand Cream

Best Hand Cream for Eczema

CeraVe

Therapeutic Hand Cream

Best Hand Cream for People Who Don’t Like the Feel of Lotion

Neutrogena

Norwegian Formula Hand Cream

Best Nourishing Hand Cream

First Aid Beauty

Ultra Repair Cream

Best Unscented Hand Cream

Avène

Cicalfate Hand Cream

Best Hand Cream for Mature Skin

Weleda

Regenerating Pomegranate Hand Cream

Best Hand Cream With SPF

Supergoop!

Hand Screen SPF 40

Best Hand Cream for Extra-Dry Sensitive Skin

EltaMD

So Silky Hand Crème

Best Scented Hand Cream

Sol de Janeiro

Brazilian Touch Hand Cream

L’Occitane

Shea Butter Hand Cream

Nécessaire

The Hand Cream

O’Keeffe’s

Working Hands Cream

Elizabeth Arden

Eight Hour Hand Cream

Le Labo

Hinoki Hand Pomade

Best Budget Hand Cream

Gold Bond

Ultimate Healing Hand Cream

MRS. MEYER'S CLEAN DAY

Clean Day Hand Lotion

Neutrogena

Hydro Boost Hand Gel Cream

How to choose the best hand cream

When looking for a moisturizing hand cream, scan for the following ingredients, each of which actually works to keep your hands smoother and more moisturized:

✔️ Prevent moisture loss. Look for products that contain petroleum jelly (often listed as petrolatum), ceramides, and dimethicone, which seal in hydration.

✔️ Attract water. Ingredients known as humectants pull water into the skin like a sponge, which gives a plumping effect. Look for glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or urea on your label.

✔️ Add moisture. Emollients like lanolin, petroleum, squalane, and certain plant extracts and oils like cocoa and shea butter will give a moisture boost where needed and create a protective film over the skin.

✔️ Soothe the skin. Aloe vera, soy, and oatmeal all have unique healing properties that effectively calm sensitive or irritated skin. Wading through the lotion aisle can be daunting, considering there are countless products that all make the same promises. Here, we rounded up the very best hand creams, each with dermatologist-approved ingredients and glowing reviews. Reach for these lotions when your hands start to protest—your skin will thank you.

Jessica Migala Jessica Migala is a health writer specializing in general wellness, fitness, nutrition, and skincare, with work published in Women’s Health, Glamour, Health, Men’s Health, and more.

Alisa Hrustic Deputy Editor, Prevention Alisa Hrustic is the deputy editor at Prevention, where she leads the brand’s digital editorial strategy.

Shauna Beni Shauna Beni is the Associate Commerce Editor at Prevention.

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