The best hand cream is kind of a big deal. Our hands suffer a ton of daily indignities, from typing away at computers to withstanding alcohol-filled hand sanitizers. But skin is still skin, wherever it is, and it deserves to be cared for. “What people don’t often realize is that the skin on your hands is just as important to pay attention to as the skin on your face,” says Anna Guanche, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Calabasas, California.
Not only will your hands encounter dryness, sensitive skin, and, if those are left unchecked, eczema just from constant wear and tear, but they’re also susceptible to signs of aging, such as wrinkles and dark spots. “I see so many patients asking about sun spots on their hands, and it’s a really common spot for skin cancer,” says Mitalee Christman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Boston.
All this to say: The hands merit the same TLC as everywhere else, whether you’re working with cracked skin from overzealous handwashing, on the hunt for a fast-absorbing lotion that doesn’t leave a greasy residue, or need a nourishing option for super-dry skin.
That means when it comes to the best hand creams and lotions, you should look for similar moisturizing ingredients popular in other skin-care products—think humectants (like hyaluronic acid and glycerin), emollients (like ceramides and fatty acids), and occlusives (like petrolatum and beeswax). You can also look for certain preferences, such as unscented options, or those that offer built-in sunscreen. With that in mind, scroll on for the best hand lotions, ahead.
Our top picks
- Best Overall: Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve, $24
- Best Drugstore: Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Dry Hand Cream, $7
- Best Affordable: Curél Extreme Dry Hand Relief, $4
- Best for Wellness: Alo Restorative Hand Cream, $18
- Best Clean: EvolveTogether Hydrating Hand Cream, $24
- Best Luxury: Chanel La Crème Main, $50
- Most Trendy: Dries Van Noten Hand Cream, $50
- Best Classic: L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream, $30
- Best for Eczema: CeraVe Therapeutic Hand Cream, $11
- Best With SPF: Supergoop! Handscreen SPF 40, $14
- Best Scented: Burt’s Bees Hemp Hand Cream, $9
- Best for Nails: Vaseline Intensive Care Healthy Hands Stronger Nails Lotion, $3
- Best for Dark Spots: EltaMD So Silky Hand Crème, $23
- Best for All Over: Fresh Milk Hydrating Hand Cream, $20
- Most Popular: O’Keeffe’s Working Hands Hand Cream, $9
- Most Sustainable: Nécessaire The Hand Cream, $20
Best Overall: Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve
Courtesy of brand
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Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve
This heavy-duty formula just barely qualifies as a hand lotion, but it’s worth bending the rules. You’ll find the usual suspects, like shea butter as well as avocado, eucalyptus, and sesame seed oils alongside soothing aloe for a comforting treatment. You can even go the extra mile and slather it on any and all dry spots, like your elbows and knees.
Best Drugstore: Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Dry Hand Cream
Courtesy of brand
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Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Dry Hand Cream
The Norwegian Formula Hand Cream is a drugstore classic, and for good reason: It’s all about results, with a high concentration of glycerin to replenish moisture ASAP. It’s also fragrance-free (ideal if you’re sensitive to essential oils) and so gentle that it’s even accepted by the National Eczema Association.
