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I'll let the review of this K-beauty moisturizer speak for itself: "It scores higher than every other high-end product I’ve used previously."
by Iman Sakrani, Rachelle Yang, Courtney Hayes
1. The iconicO'Keeffe's Working Hands hand creamto help heal your cracked fingers after using your phone when your touchscreen gloves weren’t working. It creates a protective layer that locks in moisture and keeps your skin hydrated — even on the toughest of dry spots.
Promising review: "I never leave reviews. Each winter my Cuticles start cracking!!!! This year working with sheet rock just made it WORSE. This item stops it !!! And keeps it from.coming back!!!! It like coats your fingers somehow....but NOT greasy once it settles in to your skin. It is great!!!! Use a lil in AM and PM. Great Item. Wish I knew about YEARS AGO." —JOHNNY
Get it from Amazon for $6.99+(available in three sizes and packs of two or 12).
2. A Hempz hand lotionformulated to soften and deeply nourish dry skin, making itperfect for everyday use. It's full of fatty acids and antioxidants that help hydrate your skin without leaving it greasy; plus, reviewers say the scents are amazing and actually last!
Hempz is a small biz that makes organic, vegan moisturizers.
Promising review: "I love all of the Hempz products I use, but have to this hand cream is fantastic! As I’ve aged my hands have really suffered from severe dryness and cracking at the fingertips. I felt relief with the first application" —cyndy
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
3. The belovedWeleda Skin Food cream, a plant-based powerhouse with a botanical formula that hydrates your hands like soil soaking up water after a heavy rain. Your skin will feel as nourished and vibrant as a sunflower during summer — and fun fact: Sunflower oil is one of the key ingredients!
It's super popular as a face moisturizer too!Reviewers and MUAs alike love it as a makeup primer.
Promising review: "Seriously, the besthandcream. I have tried SO many, and nothing compares to how healing/moisturizing this is. I am a mom to young children and wash myhandsway too many times a day to count. This frequent hand washing, coupled with harsh winter and drying indoor heating, had my hands painfully dry and cracking. I looked like I had tiny paper cuts on my knuckles. This cream, applied 2–3 times a day, has transformed myhands. That sounds very dramatic, but it is totally true. They are smooth and soft and anything but dry! It has a slightly medicinal smell but I don’t find it bothersome or very noticeable. This product is a steal for how well it works. I have never found anything that works so well, so quickly. Within a day myhandswere in the best shape they’ve been in in months. If you have dry skin just buy it. I never write reviews but felt compelled to write this one because the product is so amazing!" —Katy W.
Get it from Amazon for $14.72(also available in a pack of three).
4. AL'Occitane shea butter hand creamenriched with 20% shea butter to deliver intense hydration, nourishing your dry, rough hands after carrying groceries when it's 12 degrees out. Reviewers love how itabsorbs quickly, leaving their hands feeling soft, smooth, and protected without any greasy residue. It's a must-have if you're looking to pamper your skin and treat yourself to something a little indulgent.
Promising review: "I am a nurse, as is my daughter. This is an amazing cream. With continuous hand washing in our profession, we have found this to be healing to our roughed up and dried out hands. I've bought the large and pocket sizes to make available at all times. We bothswearby it. It lasts a very long time. If I could've given 10 stars you'd better believe I would." —selective
Get it from Amazon for $32(also available in a travel size).
5. A Burt's Bees hand salvethat uses beeswax, honey, shea butter, and oils to soften and moisturize the part of your body that holds your coffee (arguably one of the more important parts). Reviewers with eczema and dry, sensitive skin swear by it, and many say it's great for harsh winter weather.
Plus, it's super compact, so you can just toss it in a bag or one of the many pockets of that giant winter coat!
Promising review: "Let me start by saying I have terribly sensitive skin. Quite literally every lotion and hand cream I have ever used has aggravated my skin to some degree, often with harsh rashes, pain, and/or swelling. So, as you can imagine, my hands were dry, cracked, and often bleeding from daily work in a winter-temp warehouse...UNTIL I found this stuff! Never bothered my skin even a smidge, and within a week of nightly uses, my hands were pretty well healed!It's greasy, but only for a few minutes, and it doesn't take much to do the trick! As some have mentioned, the smell is a bit strong, but honestly it's just lavender and eucalyptus, I like it. Give this stuff a try! I know my hands will be eternally thankful." —Clark
Get it from Amazon for $8.87.
6. A lotion bar— it softens with the heat of your skin, gliding on smoothly to nourish and hydrate your hands. Plus, it comes in a variety of amazing scents and is great for traveling since it's *not* a liquid.
Wild Poppy Soap Co / Etsy
Wild Poppy Soap Co.is a Bradford, New Hampshire-based, woman-owned small biz that makes handcrafted soaps and body products.
Promising review: "Wow what an amazing product line. The solid lotion is truly the best I have ever used and I have used hundreds in my long life! Could not be more pleased and will order again soon" —Jaclynn
Get it fromWild Poppy Soap Co.on Etsy for $6.50 (available in 31 scents).
7. An extremely hydratinglanolin skin salveformulated to last over 48 hours — wow! This stuff brings the heat (and by heat, I mean moisture) with nourishing ingredients like vitamin E and manuka honey, which come together to repair and protect those dry, cracked knuckles after you decided you "didn't need" gloves.
Amazon
Promising review: "I got this and immediately tried it. Instant relief for my dry cuticles andhands! I love lanolin for what it does for my skin, but I've never been able to get around the smell. This salve is wonderful — it smells lovely (no animal scent), like honey. It's a very thick product that is making my skin feel great! The amount you use is very minimal — a small container, but I think it will be worth it!" —GenuineImitation
Get it from Amazon for $17.95.
8. A Gold Bond hand creamaccepted bythe National Eczema Association, so you know you're getting the good stuff. The formula contains 2% colloidal oatmeal, vitamin E, and aloe to help relieveyou of those red, scaly patches that keep showing up on your hands no matter how much you moisturize.
Promising review: "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). It doesn’t smell good or bad; the scent it does have fades when applied, so even though it’s not a pretty perfume smell, it doesn’t affect the smell of my perfume (if I apply any)." —Jacqueline R.
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $9.94.
9. Annnd another moisturizer with the NEA stamp of approval: TheCeraVe therapeutic hand cream,which was developedwithdermatologists. Its fragrance-free formula uses ceramides to restore your skin barrier and hyaluronic acid to help your hands retain moisture, so if you work a job where you're constantly washing your hands (like in the food or healthcare industries), then this may be what you're looking for.
Target
Check out our full CeraVe hand lotion reviewfor more info on why this is a holy-grail item for so many people.
Promising review: "The only hand cream that doesnt burn. During the winter I get really dry skin on my hands and as a waitress having to wash my hands so often my hands get so red and itchy and swollen. Even aquaphor burns when I apply it. This cream has made a difference. It is lightweight so I have to apply it a lot, I wish they would have a bigger size. I LOVE that it doesnt contain any alcohols—GGG
Get it from Target for $10.49.
10. Dr.Jart+ Ceramidin hand cream, a K-beauty option worth trying if you *hate* waiting around for your hands to not feel sticky after applying moisturizer — reviewers say this absorbs super quickly without any greasiness. It alsohelps to strengthen your skin barrier so you don’t lose that precious moisture throughout the day!
Promising reviews: "This hand cream is my holy grail product! It scores higher than every other high-end product I’ve used previously, and it is not too expensive. It moisturizes your hands wonderfully and isn’t greasy. My hands are the softest they’ve ever been." —Ashley Jhawer
"I usually hate the feeling of moisturizer on my hands — it’s like I can’t touch anything for 20 minutes after applying it. But this hand cream absorbs so quickly that I don’t have to wait around. I can get back to my day without that sticky, greasy feeling. Highly recommend." —lissa
Get it from Amazon for $25.
11. A jar of cruelty-freevanilla bean whipped tallow, which has been going viral as a skincare ingredient for its fluffy, creamy texture and powerful skin-repairing benefits. It helps restore and strengthen your skin’s natural barrier, making it especially effective for dry, cracked hands. It's deeply moisturizing without being greasy — perfect for bringing your skin back to life.
Haus of Sage / Etsy
Check out this TikTok explaining the benefits of using beef tallow on your skin!
Haus of Sage is a family-owned, woman-owned small business of herbal enthusiasts who are deeply passionate about the healing power of nature. Everything they make and sell is 100% organic with zero additives.
Promising review: "We LOVE this tallow. My husband and I live by it now. It smells amazing and is super hydrating. Seriously, life-changing!" —Shannon Mago
Get it from Haus of Sage on Etsy for $8.99+ (available in seven sizes).
12. A La Roche-Posay moisturizeryou've probably seen on a dermatologist's recommended list for sensitive and eczema-prone skin. It's formulated to provide 48-hour moisture, leaving your hands soft and smooth all day (and into the next 😉).
Promising review: "I have bad eczema on my hands and this hand cream is the BEST I’ve found yet and I’ve tried a lot! It’s thick like an ointment, which is what dermatologists recommend, but doesn’t leave a greasiness like all other ointments I’ve used. It goes on smooth and absorbs well, but also leaves a protective layer, exactly what I need. Definitely worth the money!!" —P. Goodman
Get it from Amazon for $11.99.
13. A pocket-sizedaffordable hand moisturizerinfused with eucalyptus extract, which provides intensive (but nongreasy) moisture that lasts and protects your skin for up to 24 hours and through three hand washes, so no need to constantly reapply!
Promising review: "I have really dry hands, so I was looking for a good hand cream. After researching online, I found this hand cream ranked number 1 of the hand creams tested (I can't remember the magazine I was viewing). I got it in the mail, and I love it! I ordered another one because I'll use this a lot. Feels very hydrating without a greasy feel. You won't be sorry you bought it." —Shakeenah Watson
Get it from Amazon for $4.02(also available in a three-pack).
14. A retinol hand creamto target fine lines, uneven skin tone, and rough texture so your hands can regain some of their youth (with regular use, of course). Its hydrating properties help prevent dryness and cracking, leaving your hands feeling supple and full of life!
As with any retinol product, ease into using this and work your way up to more frequent use to test your skin's tolerance and avoid irritation.
Promising review: "I’m in my mid-40s and have using this product for two weeks now. I am thrilled with the results I see so far! When you first apply, it feels a little greasy, but spend an extra 15 seconds running it in, and it will soak all the way in. In less than a minute, they will feel soft and not greasy at all. The picture I posted shows the difference after only one week of use. While yes, the lighting is off because one was outside and one inside, I bent my hand to the same angle, and you can clearly see a difference in discoloration and wrinkles. I’m excited to see more improvement with longer usage. I have only been using it at night, but the bottle says you can use it twice a day. I’ve tried many expensive hand creams before without any results, so you can’t beat this price or these results!" —J. Collier
Get it from Amazon for $18.99.
15. Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Touch hand cream, spawned from the same creator of the iconic Bum Bum cream. Not only do reviewers love its moisturizing magic, but they also rave about how ~incredible~ it smells.
Amazon
Promising review: "Very effective at keeping my skin moisturized and soft. Smells amazing everyone ask what I am using when I put it on. Thick and creamy. This is my go to for my hands and comes in a small size to carry with me daily. Priced a little high but I keep buying because it is a great product." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $16.
16. A rich, aromatic hand balmwith a luxurious formula that not only deeply hydrates dry hands but also offers an ~aromatherapeutic experience~. Seriously, reviewers love how it smells.
Amazon
Promising review: "Oh man, this stuff smells amazing. Seriously, it's like a woodsy, smoky citrus dream. It is STRONGLY smoky vetiver (yes, if you're into Javanese vetiver, this will be your scent), followed by a delicious sandalwood and citrus finish. If you think the resurrection is too fruity, you'll love this smell (and the silky hand feel). Buy it now." —Christopher Rico
Get it from Amazon for $33(available in three scents and two-packs).
17. A 100% vegansensitive skin–friendly hand creamreviewers with allergies to harsh chemicals love! It combines fruit stem cell technology with hydrating ingredients like aloe vera and shea butter to support skin protection, restoration and ~radiance~.
Promising review: "This is literally the only cream I’ve found that consistently works and I’ve tried just about every hand cream out there. I found this one a couple of years ago and have one next to my bed, one in the car, and one in the office. I have extremely dry chappedsensitiveskin with Raynaud's so I don’t get a lot of circulation in my hands. In the winter, the skin can get so bad my hands bleed. This helps a lot. So, seriously, get this stuff." —Alex
Get it from Amazon for $6.35+(available in three scents)
18. An Ouai hand cream formulated with coconut oil, murumuru, and shea butters that'll have your hands silky smooth without leaving behind that greasy, oily finish.
Amazon
Promising review: "Okay so at first I was thinking the price was a bit much until I saw the size of the bottle. It smells like Roses to me and I love it, while it is thick it isn't super thick but it leaves your skin feeling baby soft for hours with a long lasting but not overpowering scent. 10/10" —Emily Demos
Get it from Amazon for $24.
19. A Pacifica hand creammade with fermented vegan collagen peptides that add rich hydration, plus cocoa butter to help lock in said moisture. Honestly, your hands deserve some TLC for all they've been through.
Amazon
Promising review: "Besides being the best smelling product I’ve ever used, it’s vegan and really does incredible job and keeping your hands soft and smooth. I cannot say enough good about it. I just love it." —Ellen H
Get it from Amazon for $13.66(also available in other styles, including a cuticle balm).
20. Gloves in a Bottle Shielding Lotion, which creates a protective layer (like a pair of invisible gloves!) to lock in moisture and shield your skin against frequent hand washing, hand sanitizers, and other common irritants that can leave your hands rough and dry.
One application lasts for around four hours.
Promising review: "MIRACLE IN A BOTTLE!!!! This product is absolutely amazing. My husband is a hard-working man. His hands have always been peeling and cracked to the point where they split so badly and bleed, and his hands constantly hurt — to the point where he would always say he just wanted to cut his hand off. His skin would be so rough it would scratch you if he touched you. He’s been using this for about three weeks (maybe). And we have seen a drastic change in his skin. His cracks are actually healing. His skin is softer to the touch. This is honestly a lifesaver for him. I am going to continue to buy this product for as long as I possibly can. Thank you so much to this company!" —MjD
Get it from Amazon for $21.95(clip the coupon on the product page to save 15%).
21. A two-pack of Vaseline hand and nail creamyou can slather on after you dried your hands out shoveling the driveway. Its unique formula contains a blend of petroleum jelly, glycerin, and keratin, which helps repair and protect dry, damaged skin and nails.
Amazon
Promising review: "I find this cream to be nongreasy; it's also not irritating and smells beautiful. My nails are usually brittle from biting them, but they look very pretty now, and even my hands are looking softer. I’m very satisfied and will definitely purchase again when I run out. Great find." —Anne M
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $8.99(also available in other sizes and packs).
22. Supergoop Handscreen with SPF 40because your hands are exposed to the sun more than almost any other part of your body (think: on your car's steering wheel, while walking the dog, etc.), and this lightweight, non-greasy formula will protect them against those harmful UV rays while also nourishing the skin with natural oils and antioxidants. A little goes a long way, and the travel sizeis perfect for keeping in your bag!
Promising review: "A high-SPF moisturizer that isn't chalky and isn't full of questionable ingredients — what could be better? I've been using this stuff for years and give it full credit for keeping my hands as soft and spot-free as they are. (Also use their CC Cream and love it, too!)" —KHW
Get it from Amazon for $38.
23. A tube of Eos hand cream — it's the perfect size for throwing in your bag to keep your skin moisturized while you're running all your holiday errands. The blend of shea butter and glycerin is designed to last through hand-washing, so you won't have to reapply this after every bathroom break.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Important note: I'm sure all of the scents are lovely, but I am the head of the Vanilla Cashmere fan club. It smells like warm cookies, dreams, wishes, and hugs. Get the matching body lotion, too!
Promising review: "I love this hand lotion! I am in healthcare and have to wash my hands frequently and it tends todrythem out. This stuff prevents thedryhands and the scent lasts all day and smells great!" —Ashley C.
Get it from Amazon for $3.99+ (available in two scents and a three-pack).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
