Best Hand Creams (2026) Reviewed
Dry, cracked hands need more than a basic lotion. These hand creams deliver concentrated hydration that repairs damaged skin and lasts through handwashing.
What to Look For
- Glycerin concentration — Higher glycerin content draws and locks in moisture more effectively than standard lotions.
- Barrier protection — Look for ingredients like ceramides, shea butter, or lanolin that create a protective layer on skin.
- Texture — Thicker formulas work better for severely dry hands; lighter options absorb faster for daytime use.
- Fragrance — Unscented formulas are gentler on cracked, irritated skin and won’t interfere with perfumes.
- Size options — Travel tubes for your bag, larger jars for home use.
Best Hand Creams
O’Keeffe’s Working Hands — Best Overall
- Get your hands back: O’Keeffe’s Working Hands is a concentrated moisturizing cream that heals, relieves, soothes and repairs extremely cracked, dry hands; From the 1 hand cream brand in America
- Guaranteed relief for extremely dry hands: A hand cream that creates a protective layer on the skin's surface, locking in moisture and keeping even the driest skin hydrated and healthy
- Hardworking skincare: O'Keeffe's Working Hands dry hand cream provides an instant moisture boost to relieve your discomfort and repair your dry skin to be full, moisturized and nourished
- Recommended use: For best results, apply after hand washing, after bathing, and at bedtime - these are the most effective times for moisturizing extremely dry hands and skin
- Hypoallergenic: O'Keeffe's Working Hands is unscented, non-greasy and safe for people with diabetes; Our 3.4 ounce jar is an ideal hand cream travel size so you can take your comfort on the go
The #1 hand cream brand in America delivers concentrated glycerin in a formula that actually works on severely damaged hands.
O’Keeffe’s uses a high concentration of glycerin to draw moisture into cracked skin and create a protective barrier. The formula penetrates thick, calloused areas that regular lotions can’t reach. Most users report visible improvement within days.
- Pros:
- Clinically proven to boost moisture levels instantly
- Creates protective barrier that lasts through handwashing
- Unscented and hypoallergenic
- Safe for diabetics
- Cons:
- Thick texture takes longer to absorb
- Jar format less convenient than tubes
Best for: Anyone with extremely dry, cracked hands from manual labor, frequent handwashing, or harsh weather.
Neutrogena Norwegian Formula — Best Budget
- 2-ounce fragrance-free Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream delivers concentrated hydration to help moisturize and soothe rough, dry hands, making skin feel softer and smoother.
- Dermatologist-recommended brand, this glycerin-rich moisturizing hand cream uses the classic Norwegian Formula to provide lasting relief for dry skin and support a healthier-looking skin texture.
- Designed for dry hands, this fragrance-free hand lotion is clinically proven to improve dryness and help restore smoother, more comfortable skin.
- Because of its highly concentrated formula, only a small dab of this intensive hand cream is needed—each 2 oz tube contains more than 200 applications for lasting use.
- Use daily to help moisturize skin and prevent dryness; apply overnight for extra relief to help soften and soothe dry, rough skin.
A 40% glycerin concentration in a tiny tube that delivers over 200 applications for serious value.
Originally developed for Norwegian fishermen, this concentrated formula requires only a small amount per application. The fragrance-free version works well for sensitive skin, and the compact tube fits anywhere.
- Pros:
- 40% glycerin concentration
- 200+ applications per tube
- Fragrance-free option available
- Absorbs quickly despite rich formula
- Cons:
- Small tube size requires frequent repurchasing
- Can feel slightly sticky if over-applied
Best for: Budget-conscious shoppers who want clinical-strength hydration without a premium price.
CeraVe Therapeutic Hand Cream — Best for Sensitive Skin
- [ SKIN PROTECTANT ] Non-greasy, fast-absorbing daily hand cream to help prevent and temporarily protect chafed, chapped, or cracked skin, especially to help relieve frequently-washed or over-worked hands.
- [ MOISTURE-RETAINING INGREDIENTS ] Formulated with hyaluronic acid to help retain skin's natural moisture, niacinamide to help calm skin, dimethicone as a skin protectant, and ceramides to help restore the skin barrier.
- [ NEA SEAL OF ACCEPTANCE ] Accepted by the National Eczema Association. To help soothe over-washed hands, cleanse with CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser and apply CeraVe Therapeutic Hand Cream.
- [ 3 ESSENTIAL CERAMIDES ] Ceramides are found naturally in the skin and make up 50% of the lipids in the skin barrier. All CeraVe products are formulated with three essential ceramides (1, 3, 6-II) to help restore and maintain the skin’s natural barrier
- [ DEVELOPED WITH DERMATOLOGISTS ] CeraVe Skincare is developed with dermatologists and has products suitable for dry skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, acne-prone, and more.
Dermatologist-developed formula combines ceramides with hyaluronic acid for barrier repair without irritation.
CeraVe’s MVE technology releases moisturizing ingredients gradually over 24 hours. Three essential ceramides restore the skin barrier while hyaluronic acid draws in hydration. The non-greasy formula works well under gloves.
- Pros:
- Contains 3 essential ceramides
- MVE controlled-release technology
- Fragrance-free and non-comedogenic
- Developed with dermatologists
- Cons:
- Lighter formula may not suit extremely cracked skin
- Tube packaging can be hard to squeeze out remaining product
Best for: Those with sensitive, eczema-prone, or easily irritated skin who need gentle daily hydration.
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Hand Cream — Best for Cracked Skin
- Hand cream for dry to very dry rough hands leaves skin feeling soft, smooth, and hydrated. This shea butter hand cream immediately soothes hands and is resistant to hand washing.
- It provides up to 48- hour hydration for dry hands damaged by aggressions at home and work such as cold weather and frequent hand-washing.
- Immediately soothes damaged and dry to very dry hands, fast-absorbing, non-greasy hand cream
- Recommended for Dry and very dry hands, rough cracked hands, hands damaged by aggressions at home and work such as dry air, cold weather, frequent hand-washing, and exposure to chemicals
- Accepted by the National Eczema Association.
A repair-focused formula that creates an invisible glove effect for 48-hour hydration on severely damaged hands.
The Cicaplast formula combines niacinamide with shea butter and glycerin to soothe and repair cracked, irritated skin. It’s resistant to frequent handwashing, making it ideal for healthcare workers and parents.
- Pros:
- 48-hour hydration claim
- Resistant to handwashing
- Contains niacinamide for skin repair
- Dermatologist tested
- Cons:
- Higher price point than drugstore options
- Thicker texture takes time to absorb
Best for: Healthcare workers, frequent hand-washers, or anyone with cracked, irritated skin needing intensive repair.
Eucerin Advanced Repair Hand Cream — Best Fast-Absorbing
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Alpha hydroxy and ceramide-3 smooth and repair rough hands with a non-greasy finish perfect for daytime use.
Eucerin’s formula uses buffered alpha hydroxy to gently exfoliate rough patches while ceramide-3 repairs the skin barrier. The fast-absorbing texture leaves hands noticeably smoother after just one use.
- Pros:
- Fast-absorbing, non-greasy formula
- Contains alpha hydroxy for gentle exfoliation
- Fragrance-free and dye-free
- Travel-friendly tube size
- Cons:
- Not recommended for cracked or broken skin
- May tingle on very dry areas initially
Best for: Daytime use when you need quick absorption and can’t wait for a thick cream to sink in.
L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream — Best Luxury
- International products have separate terms, are sold from abroad and may differ from local products, including fit, age ratings, and language of product, labeling or instructions
- Skin type: dry
- Note: date mentioned on the item is the manufactured date and the item has period-after-opening symbol or pao symbol is a graphic symbol that identifies the useful lifetime of a cosmetic product after its package has been opened for the first time
- Honey, almond extracts and coconut oil are blended with shea butter
20% organic shea butter delivers rich, lasting hydration with an iconic scent that’s earned cult-favorite status.
This French pharmacy staple uses fair-trade shea butter from Burkina Faso to deeply nourish dry hands. The formula absorbs well despite its richness, leaving skin soft with a subtle, elegant fragrance.
- Pros:
- 20% organic shea butter concentration
- Absorbs without greasy residue
- Elegant packaging and signature scent
- Fair-trade, sustainably sourced ingredients
- Cons:
- Premium price point
- Fragrance may not suit everyone
Best for: Those who want a luxurious hand cream experience and don’t mind paying more for quality ingredients.
Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve — Best for Working Hands
- Rich, thick, and moisturizing, this hand lotion delivers a hit of moisture and hydration, soothing and conditioning the skin. Reduces the appearance of dry hands caused by manual labor and neglect.
- The Kiehl's Ultimate Strength Hand Salve will create a "glove-like" protective barrier against moisture loss to ensure smooth, nourished skin. Say goodbye to severely dry, flaky hands.
- Apply the Hand Salve as many times as necessary, both day and/or night.
- The formula is specifically enhanced with Shea Butter that improves the appearance of dry skin, Avocado Oil that moisturizes and nourishes the skin, as well as Sesame Seed Oil that softens.
- Contents: 1x Kiehl's Ultimate Strength Hand Salve, Deeply Hydrating Hand Lotion, Thick and Rich Formula for Intense Moisture and Conditioning, Protects and Repairs Dry Hands, Paraben-Free.
A heavy-duty salve with avocado oil and sesame seed oil that protects hands through tough conditions.
Kiehl’s salve formula is thicker than typical creams, providing extra protection for hands exposed to harsh elements. Avocado and sesame seed oils deliver intense moisture while eucalyptus adds a refreshing feel.
- Pros:
- Heavy-duty protection for tough conditions
- Rich avocado and sesame seed oils
- Refreshing eucalyptus scent
- Long-lasting moisture barrier
- Cons:
- Thick texture requires time to absorb
- Premium price
Best for: Outdoor workers, gardeners, or anyone whose hands face harsh conditions daily.
Gold Bond Ultimate Healing Hand Cream — Best Drugstore
- Positive ions in this hand lotion for women and men keep moisture attached to the skin, even after you wash your hands
- Create a TerraCycle account and start recycling your empty packaging of Gold Bond skin care hand creams & lotions
- Gold Bond Hand Cream softens and nourishes skin with 7 moisturizers and 3 vitamins
- Includes one (1) 3-oz. travel size hand cream bottle of Gold Bond Healing Hand Cream With Aloe
- This Gold Bond Hand Cream has been tested by dermatologists and is hypoallergenic
Seven moisturizers plus vitamins A, C, and E in an affordable formula that lasts through handwashing.
Gold Bond packs seven intense moisturizers and three essential vitamins into this healing formula. The aloe-infused cream soothes irritated skin and maintains hydration even after washing hands.
- Pros:
- Seven moisturizers in one formula
- Contains vitamins A, C, and E
- Lasts through handwashing
- Affordable drugstore price
- Cons:
- Contains fragrance
- Lighter formula than specialized repair creams
Best for: Everyday maintenance for moderately dry hands at a budget-friendly price.
Verdict
For most people with dry, cracked hands, O’Keeffe’s Working Hands delivers the best results at a fair price. If you prefer something lighter for daytime use, Eucerin Advanced Repair absorbs quickly without a greasy feel. For sensitive skin, CeraVe’s ceramide-rich formula repairs without irritation.
