We often overlook skincare below the neck, but when it comes to the hands, taking the extra moment to care for them can make a massive difference to how they look and feel. According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Diane Madfes, MD, FAAD, a break in your hands’ skin barrier can contribute to dryness and discomfort. “This can be caused by trauma, repetitive hand washing, allergic reactions, and underlying genetics, i.e., eczema,” she explains. “When the barrier is compromised, the skin no longer effectively retains hydration, and its ability to protect itself is also weakened.”
Combat dry hands and apply a hydrating, nourishing hand cream that isn’t watery, overly thick, or greasy. To find the best hand creams, we tested over 30 options. Our testers each took one home for two weeks and used it multiple times daily to evaluate it on several factors: how quickly it absorbed, how moisturizing it was, how smooth it left their hands looking, and how it smelled. This list consists of our top-performing eight hand creams.
Grown Alchemist’s hand cream is formulated with a blend of nourishing ingredients—glycerin, camellia seed oil, grapeseed oil, and aloe plant extract—to moisturize and soothe dry skin without any lingering residue.
Our tester, Elise, loved this product’s lightweight yet plush consistency and found that a nickel-sized dollop was enough to make her hands feel soft and smooth (although she sometimes dabbed a little more onto extra-dry patches of skin). We also love that while this cream doesn’t contain synthetic fragrance (which can be irritating to some), it does have a natural citrusy scent that smells fresh without being overpowering.
Elise | 18-24 age group | has dry patches | moisturizes at least once daily
“One of my favorite things about this hand cream is that it’s perfectly moisturizing without being greasy or oily. It dries within 30 seconds of application, then I can touch my phone, clothes, bags, screens, and keyboard without worrying about the hand cream getting everywhere.”
This budget-friendly option is formulated with shea butter and olive oil to nourish dry, cracked skin, and despite its ultra-moisturizing abilities, it’s not at all thick or heavy. Even with its lightweight texture, our tester. Mike, only needed a small amount of product—enough to cover a fingertip—to coat both hands. It absorbed in around two minutes with no sticky residue left behind, leaving Mike’s hands noticeably nourished.
Mike | 25-34 age group | dry, calloused hands from weightlifting and hand sanitizer use | moisturizes once or twice a week
“The first time I used this hand cream, it felt like my hands devoured the product, and I even doubted whether I had put it on.”