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  • 10 Best Hand Lotions for Dry Skin in 2022 (Dermatologist-Reviewed) 1
  • 10 Best Hand Lotions for Dry Skin in 2022 (Dermatologist-Reviewed) 2
  • 10 Best Hand Lotions for Dry Skin in 2022 (Dermatologist-Reviewed) 3
  • 10 Best Hand Lotions for Dry Skin in 2022 (Dermatologist-Reviewed) 4
  • 10 Best Hand Lotions for Dry Skin in 2022 (Dermatologist-Reviewed) 5

10 Best Hand Lotions for Dry Skin in 2022 (Dermatologist-Reviewed)

Using hand lotion is something everyone should make part of their daily routine. Not only does it address dry, cracked skin from dry air or the use of hand sanitizer and soap, but it can provide sunscreen to protect from cancer-causing UV damage, and helps prevent your hands’ skin from aging. When your hands are dry, it can be hard to know which ingredients to use 


We've researched the best hand lotions available and chose O'Keefe's Working Hands as our favorite. It's fragrance-free and concentrated, so you only need a small amount. We've also put together a list of 10 of the best hand lotions we found online and a buying guide to help you choose.

Last updated 09/26/2023

Quick List - Top Hand Lotions for Dry Skin

1

O'Keefe's

Working Hands Hand Cream
Working Hands Hand Cream

Best Soothing Relief for Cracked, Dry Hands

2

Yu-Be

Moisturizing Skin Cream
Moisturizing Skin Cream

Best for Calming Dry Skin on Hands and Even Chapped Lips

3

Eucerin

Advanced Repair Hand Cream3 pack
Advanced Repair Hand Cream

Best to Repair and Strengthen Dry Skin

4

L'Occitane en Provence

Shea Butter Hand Cream
Shea Butter Hand Cream

Best Lotion Packed With Shea Butter and Oils

5

Burt's Bees

Ultimate Care Hand Cream
Ultimate Care Hand Cream

Best for a Variety of Plant Butters, Oils and Extracts

Dr. Lauren Levy
Expert
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. Lauren Levy

Dr. Levy is a board certified dermatologist practicing in NYC and Westport, Connecticut. She has expertise in treating inflammatory skin conditions like acne, rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis. She has an interest in skincare and takes a personalized approach to all of her patients.

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mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.

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Table of Contents

How to Choose a Hand Lotion for Dry Skin - Buying Guide

In order to evaluate if the product is actually effective, you need to look into the ingredients and their functions to make sure they are suitable for your skin conditions. To make your shopping easier, read the guide below! 

1

Make Sure the Lotion Provides Enough Moisture for Your Hands

Dry skin faces two problems: it's not producing enough moisture and it's losing what it has. To hydrate, or add water to the skin, look for humectants. To create a barrier to prevent moisture loss, softening emollients and oily occlusives are what you need.

Glycerin or Urea are Non-Greasy and Soften Hands With a Normal Level of Dryness

Glycerin or Urea are Non-Greasy and Soften Hands With a Normal Level of Dryness

People with an average amount of skin dryness can choose a hand cream product that is more watery and contains a simple formula. These hand creams mainly work to soften and moisturize.


Moisturizing your skin means you have to increase its water content, which ingredients such as glycerin, urea, or hyaluronic acid can accomplish. Some hand lotions are also formulated to nourish your cuticles as well as your hands. If you also want to moisturize those areas, read labels carefully to see what their intended effects are.

Dr. Lauren Levy
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. Lauren Levy

If you're active and use your hands a lot, you may develop calluses. A lotion with urea can help soften the calluses and thin them out. Glycerin is very hydrating and is not as greasy as petrolatum, so it's a great option to use several times a day.

Extremely Dry Hands Need Thicker Creams Like Shea Butter and Jojoba Oil to Provide Deep Moisture

Extremely Dry Hands Need Thicker Creams Like Shea Butter and Jojoba Oil to Provide Deep Moisture

If you have extremely dry skin, you need to look for ingredients with restorative properties. Lotions that nourish and strengthen your hands' hydro lipid film, which protects your skin and alleviates discomfort, is extremely important. Some ingredients that help with this are plant-derived oils, waxes, allantoin, and aloe vera.  


Hyaluronic acid and ceramides can provide deep moisture to dry hands. Plant oils like jojoba oil, castor oil, olive oil, and shea butter also work well, and there's little chance that they'll irritate your skin.

Dr. Lauren Levy
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. Lauren Levy

For very dry skin, make sure you are using a thick cream or an ointment-based product. These will provide the most amount of moisture to the skin. Also, use the hand cream after every hand wash, since washing or sanitizing strips your skin of natural oils and hydration. 


For maximum hydration, use the lotion under cotton gloves at night. Neutrogena Norwegian Hand Cream is one of my go-to recommendations for those with hand eczema and dry skin.

Aloe and Arnica Moisturize Hands While Reducing Irritation for Sensitive Skin

Aloe and Arnica Moisturize Hands While Reducing Irritation for Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin has a weaker skin barrier than other skin types, so it needs more protection. Your safest choices are hand lotions made from a relatively short and simple list of ingredients. Even if a product is 100 percent natural, that doesn't mean it's non-irritating and can't have adverse effects, so make sure to conduct a patch test. 


As for good ingredients to look for, aloe, arnica, and rosehip extracts are heroes for sensitive hands because they can soften and moisturize the skin while preventing and reducing irritation. Chamomile and lavender also have great soothing effects on both your skin and your mind!

Dr. Lauren Levy
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. Lauren Levy

Arnica can be very useful in helping resolve inflammation in the hands as well as help with bruising. The thin skin of the top of the hands is very prone to accidental bruising and is a common place to get solar purpura - bruising that seems to occur almost spontaneously in sun-damaged, aged skin. Arnica, vitamin C and vitamin K creams can help with this problem.

Chapped and Cracked Hands Benefit From Oils, Shea Butter and Vitamin C for Damage and Moisturizing Care

Chapped and Cracked Hands Benefit From Oils, Shea Butter and Vitamin C for Damage and Moisturizing Care

Hands that are chapped or cracked need some serious care and attention. Like dry hands, you'll probably want to look for super moisturizing ingredients like jojoba oil, shea butter, paraffin, ceramides, and almond oil. They'll repair damage and also soothe.


We also recommend vitamin E to support blood circulation and vitamin C for reduced dryness and speedy healing.

Collagen Helps to Revitalize Aging Skin

Collagen Helps to Revitalize Aging Skin

If you have wrinkled and aging skin, you should choose hand cream that can supply ample collagen and antioxidants. These ingredients will protect and revitalize your hands. Vitamin E is also a common ingredient in anti-aging care.


We also recommend using a hand lotion with SPF or a separate sunscreen to protect your skin from further sun damage.

2

Highly Moisturizing Lotions Are Greasier

Highly Moisturizing Lotions Are Greasier

If you find yourself using your smartphone or laptop directly after applying hand lotion, you should choose something with a fast-absorbing, light, or watery texture. Greasy formulas could leave prints on your screen.


In fact, a greasy texture is a common complaint among hand lotion users, and some people may go out of their way to avoid lotions with oils. This might be a mistake, since ingredients like shea butter can provide you with long-lasting moisture. It may be a good idea to use a greasier formula for nighttime and a lighter lotion for daytime use.

Dr. Lauren Levy
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. Lauren Levy

Ointments or oil-based lotions can be annoying to use during the day, but for seriously dry skin or chapped hands, using a greasy oil-based ointment is the best thing you can do for your hands. Additionally, many creams and lotions will burn if you have an active rash, but ointment and oil-based lotions are less irritating.

3

Fragrance Can Enhance the Experience but May Irritate Sensitive Skin

Fragrance Can Enhance the Experience but May Irritate Sensitive Skin

Some hand lotions have a strong or lingering aroma, so you're going to want to choose something you'll enjoy smelling throughout the day. Ingredients like vanilla, chamomile, floral, and fruity scents can be light in intensity, while herbal ingredients can produce stronger smells. 


Strong fragrances can be irritating to your skin as well as your nose, so it's a good idea to read reviews to see what customers say. Of course, there are also plenty of unscented products available; we'd particularly recommend these to people with sensitive skin.

Dr. Lauren Levy
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. Lauren Levy

Choose a fragrance-free product if you have an active hand rash, history of atopic dermatitis, or contact dermatitis. Fragrances are a common cause of contact dermatitis and cause red, painful, and itchy rashes. Avoid essential oils or even natural scents with a history of eczema since these can trigger flares.

4

Consider Extra Benefits Like SPF

Consider Extra Benefits Like SPF
Instead of applying sunscreen separately, you can get the UV-blocking benefits right in your hand lotion. There are many lotions that offer sun protection, even up to SPF 50!

For regular, daily use, you should aim for SPF 15 or higher. You should also look for one that says it's broad spectrum, which means it blocks both skin-damaging UVA and cancer-causing UVB rays.


Other benefits you can get from some hand lotions include skin brightening and blemish lightening, which may be important if you already suffer from age spots due to sun damage. Try to find ingredients like hydroquinone, kojic acid or glycolic acid.


Was the Buying Guide helpful?

10 Best Hand Lotions for Dry Skin

Based on each product's moisturizing ability and nourishing effects, as well as its feel on the hands, we picked out 10 of the most popular products available online. We made our choices based on the points listed in the buying guide below, as well as reviewer comments when available. *Please note that these products were chosen after extensive research by mybest writers. The choices are not necessarily affiliated with or recommended by Dr. Lauren Levy. For more on our selection process, check out our content policy.
Popularity

Products

Image

Click to purchase

Key features

1

O'Keefe's

Working Hands Hand Cream

O'Keefe's Working Hands Hand Cream  1

Best Soothing Relief for Cracked, Dry Hands

2

Yu-Be

Moisturizing Skin Cream

Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream 1

Best for Calming Dry Skin on Hands and Even Chapped Lips

3

Eucerin

Advanced Repair Hand Cream3 pack

Eucerin Advanced Repair Hand Cream 1

Best to Repair and Strengthen Dry Skin

4

L'Occitane en Provence

Shea Butter Hand Cream

L'Occitane en Provence Shea Butter Hand Cream 1

Best Lotion Packed With Shea Butter and Oils

5

Burt's Bees

Ultimate Care Hand Cream

Burt's Bees Ultimate Care Hand Cream 1

Best for a Variety of Plant Butters, Oils and Extracts

6

Ahava

Dead Sea Mineral Hand Cream

Ahava Dead Sea Mineral Hand Cream 1

Best for Moisturizing From Minerals

7

Neutrogena

Norwegian Formula Dry Hand Cream

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Dry Hand Cream 1

Best Glycerin-Rich Hand Cream to Hydrate and Soften

8

Aveeno

Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream

Aveeno Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream 1

Best for Eczema Therapy

9

Gold Bond

Medicated Hand Cream

Gold Bond Medicated Hand Cream 1
Currently unavailable

Best for Sun Lovers

10

Salcoll Collagen

Collagen Intensive Hand and Nail Repair

Salcoll Collagen Collagen Intensive Hand and Nail Repair 1

Best Anti-Aging Care for Hands

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

O'Keefe's
Working Hands Hand Cream

Working Hands Hand Cream  1
Source:amazon.com
Working Hands Hand Cream  2
Source:walmart.com
Reference price
$6.98
Low Mid
Reference price
$6.98
Low Mid

Best Soothing Relief for Cracked, Dry Hands

Pros:

  • Glycerin and urea to help hydrate and soften
  • Beeswax to prevent moisture loss
  • Allantoin from comfrey soothes irritated, cracked skin

Cons:

  • Reviewers have mentioned that the cream leaves their hands a bit greasy

This formula helps with dry skin, and can also prevent blisters and cracking, especially during the winter. The consistency of the cream is relatively thick, so you may have to wait for a bit before the cream absorbs into your skin. 


Some reviewers mentioned that it leaves their hands greasy, but that it is effective. They say that it isn't scented and works quickly on dry hands. It also works extremely well on cracked hands and keeps their hands soft throughout the day.

Was this Ranking helpful?
No.2

Yu-Be
Moisturizing Skin Cream

Reference price
$28.00
High Mid

Best for Calming Dry Skin on Hands and Even Chapped Lips

Pros:

  • Glycyrrhetinic acid from licorice and camphor soothe inflammation and stop itching
  • Vitamins E, B2 and C provide nutrients for improved skin condition
  • Sodium hyaluronate, a form of hyaluronic acid, penetrates deep into the skin for hydrating from within
  • Use anywhere on the body, including dry, chapped lips

Cons:

  • It may take time to absorb into the skin

This Yu-Be formula contains vitamin E for anti-aging care and vitamin B2, which is necessary to maintain your skin's collagen levels. Camphor is well-known for calming skin irritation and itchiness.


Some reviewers reported that the cream did not absorb well, but since it's concentrated, you only should apply a small amount. They say that it does moisturize effectively and softens rough skin. Some reviewers even use this on their cracked heels and saw quick results.

No.3

Eucerin
Advanced Repair Hand Cream3 pack

Reference price
$13.47
Mid

Best to Repair and Strengthen Dry Skin

Pros:

  • Ceramides to improve the skin's barrier function and trap moisture
  • Urea moisturizes, hydrates and exfoliates
  • Amino acids like sodium PCA, arginine and more repair, plump and firm the skin
  • Lactic acid (AHA) treats hyperpigmentation and age spots

Cons:

  • Alpha-hydroxy acid also increases risk of sunburn, so wear sunscreen

This hand cream is enriched with ceramide-3 and natural amino acids that can provide your skin with moisturizing and improved texture. It's great for those who suffer from chapped, damaged and cracked skin. Dermatologists also recommend this to people with eczema. 


Some reviewers were not fans of its smell, and others said it left their skin feeling greasy. But most liked that the lotion helped greatly with their dry and cracked hands.

No.4

L'Occitane en Provence
Shea Butter Hand Cream

Reference price
$12.00
Mid

Best Lotion Packed With Shea Butter and Oils

Pros:

  • 20 percent shea butter for powerful moisturizing
  • Oils like sunflower, almond, coconut and more
  • Rosemary extract has antioxidant properties

Cons:

  • You may need to reapply a lot if you wash your hands often

With 20 percent shea butter, honey, almond extract, and coconut oil in the formula, this hand cream provides your hands with the necessary moisture not matter how dry they get. Additionally, it absorbs quickly into your hands and leaves no oily residue.


However, some reviewers mentioned that it washes off more easily than they expected. They praise the cream for being rich and concentrated, however, so a small amount goes a long way

No.5

Burt's Bees
Ultimate Care Hand Cream

Reference price
$5.99
Low Mid

Best for a Variety of Plant Butters, Oils and Extracts

Pros:

  • Packed with moisturizing oils and butters from natural sources
  • Extracts like green tea, rosemary and more provide antioxidants
  • Vitamin E for aging skincare and sun damage mitigation
  • Fruit acids can exfoliate and even your skin tone

Cons:

  • Some reviewers found the natural scent of the extracts to be too strong

This hand lotion is made from 98.9 percent natural ingredients. It is hypoallergenic and dermatologist tested to moisturize dry skin as well as exfoliate. Baobab oil, shea butter, jojoba, and other emollients and occlusives soothe and soften dry skin.


No fragrances have been added to this hand lotion, but it does have a scent from the fruit and herb extracts. Reviewers are almost unanimous on how effective this lotion is at moisturizing their skin, and say that it doesn't leave a greasy residue.

No.6

Ahava
Dead Sea Mineral Hand Cream

Reference price
$18.00
High Mid

Best for Moisturizing From Minerals

Pros:

  • Salt in Dead Sea water contains magnesium that strengthens the skin's barrier function
  • Allantoin from comfrey and witch hazel soothe inflammation and calm irritated skin

Cons:

  • Contains fragrance, and some reviewers found it too strongly scented

Ahava's Mineral Hand Cream contains Dead Sea minerals that help replenish your skin. Comfrey helps heal cracking and witch hazel soothes sun damage. It is alcohol-free and has a low pH, which means it's less likely to irritate sensitive or dry skin.


Reviewers seem to either love or hate the scent, so that may be a deal-breaker for you. They say that it makes their hands feel silky soft and works effectively on dry and even cracked hands. Reviewers praise the lotion for being thick but not greasy.

No.7

Neutrogena
Norwegian Formula Dry Hand Cream

Reference price
$8.00
Low Mid

Best Glycerin-Rich Hand Cream to Hydrate and Soften

Pros:

  • Glycerin moisturizes and softens for a long time with just a small amount
  • Fragrance-free and hypoallergenic; good for sensitive skin
  • 200 applications per tube

Cons:

  • Reviewers have mentioned that the cream is a bit greasy

The formula used in this hand cream is clinically shown to prevent dry skin. It has high concentration of glycerin, which has hydrating properties for dryness, as well as acting as an emollient to soften rough skin. It's fragrance-free and hypoallergenic, so everyone can use it. 


Many reviewers have mentioned that the cream is a bit greasy. To fix this matter, you can apply it before going to bed, to give your hands an intense overnight treatment.

No.8

Aveeno
Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream

Reference price
$16.49
High Mid

Best for Eczema Therapy

Pros:

  • Colloidal oatmeal is an emollient that's soothing and healing
  • Ceramides build up the skin's own moisture barrier
  • No butters or oils make for a lightweight feel

Cons:

  • Petrolatum in the formula means it might leave fingerprints on your phone screen for a while

A main component of this hand cream is colloidal oatmeal, a well-known ingredient that can moisturize and soothe irritation and itching. Additionally, the formula contains ceramides, which are important lipids for the skin, to lock in moisture. 


Many people with eczema love this lotion, and say it's the best non-steroid cream they've tried. Most also find it fairly non-greasy and say it feels cooling when you apply it.

No.9

Gold Bond
Medicated Hand Cream

Medicated Hand Cream 1
Source:walmart.com
Medicated Hand Cream 2
Source:walmart.com
Reference price
$5.97
Low Mid
Reference price
$5.97
Low Mid

Best for Sun Lovers

Pros:

  • Broad spectrum SPF 20 for full UV protection
  • A total of seven moisturizers, including ceramides, jojoba and sodium PCA
  • Fruit extracts for vitamins and antioxidants

Cons:

  • Reviewers warn not to apply too much, as it can flake or leave a white cast

For a hydrating hand cream that also protects you from sun damage, give this one a try. Not only that, but it also works great as an anti-aging option! It has a variety of moisturizers, plus fruit extracts, all of which work together to smooth, protect and heal aging or dry skin.


Reviewers say it makes their hands feel really soft. Some admit it can take some time to absorb, but those with aging hands and those who experience dry hands from use of sanitizers say they apply it daily and love the results.

No.10

Salcoll Collagen
Collagen Intensive Hand and Nail Repair

Reference price
$29.94
High Mid

Best Anti-Aging Care for Hands

Pros:

  • Marine collagen smooths wrinkles and keep skin supple
  • Allantoin from comfrey soothes irritation
  • Hypoallergenic and non-oily

Cons:

  • Some reviewers didn't notice much difference besides moisturizing

This hand lotion contains a large amount of marine collagen, which can nourish and soften your chapped skin and reduce wrinkles. It's also enriched with proteins and elastin, boosting skin regeneration and repairing damage.


Some reviewers didn't see any noticeable differences. However, the fast-absorbing properties of this hand lotion are praised by many reviewers, and they say that it did leave their hands soft and their skin more taut.

Frequently Asked Questions

You may have your lotion picked out, but do you have any lingering questions? Here's an answer to a commonly asked question about hand lotion, answered after careful research.

How often should I apply hand lotion?

Many sources say it's necessary to apply hand lotion twice a day, and a lot of people like to use it right after handwashing. In fact, there's no set rule about how often to apply hand lotion, and it mainly depends on how your skin feels.


If you suffer from really dry skin, or it's dry in winter, or you wash or sanitize your hands a lot, more than twice a day could be most comfortable for you. You'll get the most out of a lotion if you apply it right after bathing when your skin is still damp; then, it can trap some of the water in the skin.


One study showed that lotions do help with dryness from handwashing, so you'll want to apply lotion each time after you do so.

Top 5 Hand Lotions for Dry Skin

No. 1: O'Keefe'sWorking Hands Hand Cream

No. 2: Yu-BeMoisturizing Skin Cream

No. 3: EucerinAdvanced Repair Hand Cream3 pack

No. 4: L'Occitane en ProvenceShea Butter Hand Cream

No. 5: Burt's BeesUltimate Care Hand Cream

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The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.

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