These Creams Will Legit *Transform* Your Dry, Rough Hands (2024)

My friends and family could say that I'm addicted to lotion—I apply a hand cream about *fifteen* times a day, and that's not an exaggeration. (I can thank eczema and my actual loathe of having dry skin for that one.) This means that I've tried basically every lotion in the book, and I can say without a doubt, 100 percent confidently that I have not found a lotion that hydrates my skin as well—without any feeling of greasiness!—like the Ultra Healing Dry Skin Moisturizer from Jergens. And, yes, I will die on this hill.

The jam-packed blend of humectants and allantoin is to thank for its soothing and hydrating formula. I use this baby on my hands, ofc, but I also buy the larger size and refill my reusable lotion dispensers (plural) at home to use all over my body, including my dry, cracked heels. Oh, and did I mention that all sizes are under $15 and available at virtually any drugstore?!

• Size: 3 oz
• Key ingredient(s): Vitamin E, panthenol, allantoin, glycerin, amino acids
• Fragrance: No* (*but comes in cherry almond option)

Glowing Customer Review: "This lotion hardly has a scent, rubs in well so as to not leave skin feeling oily, and has completely resolved my skin dryness issues. I can hardly remember what it was like to have my skin just crack and bleed from being so dry, even after having tried other lotions and healers. Several years in, this is still the best lotion I've found."

So 'member that fun fact about how your hands are one of the first tell-tale signs of aging? This is completely normal, we all age, but if it's not your jam and you want to prevent fine lines and loss of elasticity, retinol should become your new BFF. Retinol—i.e., a vitamin A derivative—is the MVP ingredient for smooth, bright, and even skin. So when you apply this retinol lotion to your hands, it will help to increase cellular turnover, then moisturizing glycerin will lock it all in, and the added antioxidants will protect your skin from environmental aggressors.

Just one catch: Retinol can irritate sensitive skin, so start slowly, once per day, and if you need extra moisture, incorporate a gentle hand cream, and an SPF one in the daytime, too.

• Size: 3.52 oz
• Key ingredient(s): Retinol, glycerin, vitamin E, green tea extract
• Fragrance: Yes* (*strong perfume-like scent)

Glowing Customer Review: "After just one use, my hands felt incredibly soft, and the dryness that had been bothering me for ages disappeared like magic. What surprised me the most was the instant glow my hands acquired—they looked healthier and more youthful."

Picture this: You're driving, and although you've (hopefully) applied your face SPF, your hands may have been neglected and are now out in the open, ready to face the sun's harsh rays. And FYI, it's not just in the car—harmful UV exposure constantly has access to our hands, considering they're a part of our bodies that aren't covered very often. The solution? Sunscreen for your hands.

Unlike regular SPF meant for our bodies and faces, this one from Supergoop! has a ton of emollients for moisture and leaves absolutely no greasy feeling behind. 'Cause let's be real, no one wants to apply a goopy, sticky SPF all over their hands. This size is great to throw in your bag on the go, and the larger size fits perfectly in your car cup holder. Sorry, no excuses anymore.

• Size: 1 oz
• Key ingredient(s): SPF, Argan oil, glycerin, vitamin E, amino acids
• Fragrance: Yes* (*mild, warm scent)

Glowing Customer Review: "I'm in my fifties trying to keep my hands looking young. I've been using this for three years, and I firmly believe if I hadn't been, my hands wouldn't look like they do now. It's crazy how much sun we get exposed to on our hands while holding the steering wheel!! I put it on every time I get in my car. It's also a great moisturizer, too, and a little goes a long way!"

Say hello to the chicest, prettiest pot of hand cream you ever did see: Theraplush from one of my favorite brands, Soft Services. But don't be fooled—this baby's anti-aging formula is just as good as its aesthetic. It contains retinol (which will generate cellular turnover for smooth skin), colloidal oatmeal to soothe and counteract any dryness from the retinol, and panthenol to plump the skin on your hands. Oh, and it's also great for your cuticles, so your nails will look just as good as your hands. Keep it on your bedside table and apply it every night before you sleep.

• Size: 1.7 oz
• Key ingredient(s): Retinol, colloidal oatmeal, panthenol
• Fragrance: No

Glowing Customer Review: "Theraplush is my favorite ritual before I go to sleep: I apply two pumps to my hands and cuticles. After only two weeks, my hands are softer and they feel less dehydrated. I appreciate the texture of Theraplush, too. It feels luxurious and rich without feeling greasy. I will never be without it."

Calling all sensitive, reactive-prone individuals who avoid fragrance and iffy ingredients like the plague: This pick is for you. One of my all-time favorite French beauty brands, Avène has some of the best skincare for sensitive skin, including this glycerin-packed hand cream. IMO, glycerin is one of the best ingredients to find in lotion—it is found naturally in our skin cells, and when used topically, it contributes to a moisturized, healthy skin barrier.

• Size: 3.3 oz
• Key ingredient(s): Glycerin
• Fragrance: No

Glowing Customer Review: "This cream is unbelievable. It goes in instantly, makes hands soft after one application, and creates a barrier to protect your hands against cold and water. I live in VT and have tried numerous 'extreme' hand creams that are heavy, greasy, and useless—this one is the best. I also like that it is fragrance-free except for that mild spring-water smell."

If you're here for a hand cream that has the dreamiest scent of all time and can be an extension of your ~fragrance~ or perfume, may I suggest Capri Blue's Volcano? The iconic scent has such a cult-like following that it can be found in everything from candles and body scrubs to even detergent. The clean, fresh scent has notes of "tropical fruits and sugared citrus" but isn't overpowering and is truly unique. Plus, the super-moisturizing shea butter and jojoba oil in the hand cream aren't so bad, either. P.S. This makes the best lil gift ever.

• Size: 1 oz
• Key ingredient(s): Shea butter, jojoba oil
• Fragrance: Yes* (*clean, fresh, tropical scent)

Glowing Customer Review: "I tried this lotion in a shop while on vacation. I didn't purchase it immediately, but I loved the scent so much that I went back and bought some the next day. Excellent moisturizer—a little goes a long way."

Hi, hello, this O.G. plant-based, ultra-rich cream is my savior in the winter months when the cold chill leaves my hands cracked and bleeding. It's been around since 1926 (yes, srsly), so the fact that it has lasted the test of time is proof that the formulation works. Filled with pansy, chamomile, and calendula, this cream sources the rich hydrating, and soothing properties of botanical ingredients. It also contains lanolin, which is a heavy emollient comprised of fatty acids and esters, leading to a thick consistency that works to heal angry, dry hands.

• Size: 2.5 oz
• Key ingredient(s): Glyercin, antioxidants, amino acids, lanolin
• Fragrance: No* (*herbal scent from essential oils)

Glowing Customer Review: "I absolutely LOVE THIS STUFF! It is the only hand lotion that works great for me! I’m a nurse and in the winter my hands crack and bleed all the time. A friend recommended this lotion and I tried it on the cracks on my hands and they were gone in a week!!"

More a thick, salve-like moisturizer than an actual lotion, O'Keeffe's famous Working Hands is formulated to heal the driest, most extreme cracked, callused hands. The thick texture provides a protective layer over your skin barrier and troubled areas, locking in moisture while simultaneously drawing in water for added hydration. Your dry, cracked hands have the opportunity to heal and absorb all the good-good moisture. Just note, if your bleeding or cracked hands are due to a skin condition, consult your dermatologist before using, as they may require a specified treatment.

• Size: 3.4 oz
• Key ingredient(s): Glycerin, allantoin
• Fragrance: No

Glowing Customer Review: "This hand cream is a true game-changer, proving that big things truly do come in small packages. What truly sets this cream apart is its surprising efficacy; it effortlessly tackles stubborn dry patches and heals cracks with just a couple of applications, delivering results that exceed expectations."

Grapes are rich in polyphenols—i.e., a type of antioxidant that is loved for its anti-inflammatory, good-for-your-skin-barrier properties—and this hand cream is loaded with it. It also has moisturizing oils and butters, as well as protecting vitamin E. But the best part of this lotion is that it has also been formulated to treat your dry, brittle nails. Your nails have absorptive properties, so while all those emollients and humectants are treating the skin on your hands, they are also putting the work in on your nails, too.

• Size: 2.5 oz
• Key ingredient(s): Grapeseed oil, avocado oil, vitamin E, glycerin, shea butter extract
• Fragrance: Yes* (*citrus scent)

Glowing Customer Review: "I've been searching for a hand cream that also improves your nails. Finally found it! My hands have never felt so soft! My nails also seem much more nourished. My nails usually break and weaken because of stress or because they are dry. Now they look shiny and strong."

Hi, I'm a girl with eczema who would rather suffer through redness, irritation, and inflammation than go on another prescribed steroid cream. Hot take? Maybe, but in my personal experience with steroid skin withdrawal (hi, angrier, more intense symptoms), this take feels justified. Eczema is a recurrent, long-term condition that comes and goes, so in order to deal with the not-so-fun symptoms sans steroids, I had to find a gentle skin cream that relieves the pain and irritation when my eczema flares.

To my very pleasant surprise, that solution lay at the drugstore and only cost me a few bucks. Gold Bond's hand cream for eczema relief is one of the best I've found, thanks to its formulation of high-potency soothing colloidal oatmeal and a slew of antioxidants and hydrators. Plus, it also is certified by the National Eczema Association, meaning sweet, sweet relief is finally near.

• Size: 3 oz
• Key ingredient(s): Colloidal oatmeal, antioxidants, glycerin, jojoba esters, peptides
• Fragrance: No

Glowing Customer Review: "I have dyshidrotic eczema on my palms and fingers [and] I was amazed when I felt relief instantly upon using this for the first time. It’s super lightweight and is truly the only product that really hydrates my skin. Since these bumps are untreatable and breakouts are inevitable, I’m so glad I found a product that helps me feel some relief."

If you suffer from "chicken skin", i.e., keratosis pilaris, you may be very well familiar with lactic acid. A type of alpha hydroxy acid, or chemical exfoliant, works to remove dead skin cells from the top layer, therefore improving skin texture and appearance. Now, combo the aha with glycerin, one of my favorite ingreidents that's great for locking in moisture on your skin barrier, and you've got yourself a magical formula for dry, flaking hands.

• Key ingredient(s): Lactic acid, glycerin
• Fragrance: No

Glowing Customer Review: "I decided to try this because the lactic acid percent was so high. That’s a good thing. It’s excellent. Really excellent. You can’t really use it on the face, but this REALLY helped my chicken skin areas overnight. If you have any gritty, sandy chicken skin areas, you need this. This is definitely one to keep around."

Hands lookin' and feelin' a little thirsty, eh? You need to get yourself a hydrating hand cream. TL:DR; Humectants work by pulling water into the top layer of your skin. In turn, this helps heal and prevent dry, flaky, skin. The Salt & Stone Hand Cream—which, FYI has a glorious scent—has some of the best hydrators in the game—I'm talking to you vitamin E, squalane, glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, and aloe! As a bonus, it also contains niacinamide which works as a hydrator as well and has brightening properties.

• Size: 2 oz
• Key ingredient(s): Niacinamide, vitamin E, squalane, glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, aloe
• Fragrance: Yes* (*bergamot, vetiver, orange blossom)

Glowing Customer Review: "I will preface this review by saying that I HATE lotions and hand creams in all forms...[but this is a] GAME CHANGER!!! It is so light it makes your hand feel silky, but not greasy! I can touch my phone less than a minute after applying and not have fingerprints all over my phone screen. And the smell is BANGIN!!"

True story: I very fortunately was able to stay in a five-star hotel, which was gorgeous in itself and had the best toiletries in the world. I had a small sample of this very lotion and was so obsessed with its scent and texture, that I took a photo and went searching all over for it. When I found it on Amazon, I was beyond stoked and immediately purchased it to place in my bathroom. Now, every single time I have a guest come over, they rave about my "amazing smelling bathroom lotion," and immediately want all the deets. Yes, it's pricey, but it's one of those splurges that feel luxe and is definitely worth it.

• Size: 10 oz
• Key ingredient(s): Glycerin, vitamin E
• Fragrance: Yes* (*neroli, orange, musk)

Glowing Customer Review: "I discovered this lotion in the restroom of a castle at an event I attended. I loved the scent so much that I took a picture; looked it up and thankfully found it on Amazon. It’s pricey, but a little goes a LONG way. The scent is very strong—I can dab a bit on pulse points as a perfume."