20 Top Hand Creams of 2023
From lotions to balms, we're sharing the very best hand creams.
With all the extra hand washing going on these days, dry hands are a given. And then you add in factors like the elements, winter, plus household cleaning and other chores that really wreak havoc on your paws. You're most likely in need of some TLC stat, which is where the best hand creams come in.
From ultra-healing creams and extra-thick balms to transform dehydrated hands, to nourishing masks, overnight moisturizers and cuticle care conditioners, there's no excuse for chapped mitts any longer! Here are the 20 best hand creams to shop at every price for every concern.
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Best Hand Creams for Dry, Cracked Hands
Best-reviewed Hand Cream
O'Keeffe's Working Hands Hand Cream for Extremely Dry, Cracked Hands, $8.48 on Amazon
With over 57,000 5-star reviews and ratings on Amazon, it's safe to say O'Keeffe's Working Hands jar is a cult favorite for "guaranteed relief." By creating a protective layer on the skin’s surface, your moisture levels are instantly boosted and parched hands will start to feel a difference within days. O'Keeffe's Working Hands Hand Cream for Extremely Dry, Cracked Hands, $8.48 on Amazon
Related: Try This Dermatologist-Approved Routine for Oily Skin
Best Hand Cream for Aging Hands
Algenist GENIUS Liquid Collagen Hand Cream, $38 at Sephora
Considering our hands are one area that's prone to showing the first signs of aging, it's worth investing in a youth-enhancing hand cream. Algenist's version brightens, evens skin tone and improves the appearance of dark spots at the same time. Their proprietary Active Vegan Collagen also strengthens the skin's texture to increase resiliency and bounce. Algenist GENIUS Liquid Collagen Hand Cream, $38 at Sephora
Skincare Concerns: Dullness and Uneven Texture, Dark Spots, and Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Best Hand Cream for Cracked Hands
Gold Bond Cracked Skin Relief Fill & Protect, $8.29 on CVS
If your cracked or chapped hands are beyond the point of repair and in need of relief quick, slather on this skin protectant cream that seals in moisture even during constant hand washing, manual labor and other tasks that take their toll. The medicated ointment also soothes minor cuts, scrapes and burns, while ceramides restore the skin barrier and jojoba helps softens it. Gold Bond Cracked Skin Relief Fill & Protect, $8.29 on CVS
Best Overnight Hand Cream
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Moisturizing Hand Treatment, $16.80 at Walmart
Forget hand creams you have to apply every 20 minutes, after they seemingly evaporate leaving your skin in the same distraught state as before. For a mighty moisturizer that really goes the distance, reach for Elizabeth Arden's bestselling formula that stays put for eight hours while you catch zzz's (and reverse the signs of aging at the same time). Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Moisturizing Hand Treatment, $16.80 at Walmart
Best Hand Cream Balm
Kiehl's Ultimate Strength Hand Salve, $22 at Nordstrom
Creams not cutting it? Might be time for a richer, better balm. Kieh's Ultimate Strength Salve forms a glove-like barrier to prevent moisture loss thanks to shea butter, avocado oil and sesame seed oil. Skin feels reconditioned—not greasy—after just one application. Kiehl's Ultimate Strength Hand Salve, $22 at Nordstrom
Best Cocoa Butter Hand Cream for Eczema
Skinfix Eczema+ Hand Repair Cream, $18 on Amazon
If inflamed, itchy eczema is ailing you, patch it up with a sensitive-skin-safe cream that restores the barrier with three active pharmaceutical ingredients: colloidal oatmeal to calm distressed skin, allantoin to hydrate and sweet almond oil to address itching. Skinfix Eczema+ Hand Repair Cream, $18 on Amazon
Best Cocoa Butter Hand Cream
Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Solid Balm, $8.29 at CVS
Palmer's is synonymous with the best cocoa butter creams, like this solid balm formula in a jar to heal and soften dry hands. A dose of 48-hour moisture is another perk, as is less visible stretch marks and uneven skin tone. Did we mention it has over 101 uses and can multitask as a daily lip balm, makeup remover, primer for lipstick—even a substitute for shaving cream? Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Solid Balm, $8.29 at CVS
Best Hand Cream for Extremely Dry Hands
Curel Extreme Dry Hand Healing Hand Cream with Eucalyptus Extract, $3.97 at Walmart
When the of your skin requires a bit more transformative attention than say, one swipe of a lightweight cream, Curel has the answer: their Extreme Dry Hand Healing Hand Cream. Powered by eucalyptus extract and, this dermatologist recommended lotion for hands lets you get on with your day without worry of irritation, burning or pain. Curel Extreme Dry Hand Healing Hand Cream with Eucalyptus Extract, $3.97 at Walmart
Best Fast-absorbing Hand Cream
Mario Badescu Rose Hand Cream with Vitamin E for Dry Hands, $8 at Walmart
A trusted name in transformative skincare since 1967, Mario Badescu's lightweight hand cream has rose and vitamin E to deliver silky-smooth hydration that sinks in quickly instead of lingering on the surface. This travel-friendly cream also reduces the look of dry lines for radiant-looking hands in the driest, coldest temperatures. Mario Badescu Rose Hand Cream with Vitamin E for Dry Hands, $8 at Walmart
Best Luxe Hand Cream
Jo Malone London Vitamin E Nourishing Hand Treatment Cream, $65 at Sephora
There's something about a hand cream that deserves a little luxury every now and then. Jo Malone's top-tier formula is fragranced with a hint of pomelo and cassis, that will leave your hands looking and feeling their best, but smelling incredible. Jo Malone London Vitamin E Nourishing Hand Treatment Cream, $65 at Sephora
Best Hand Cream With SPF
Supergoop Handscreen SPF 40, $34.99 at Walmart
Not using a hand cream with SPF? You missed the assignment. Your hands are actually one of the most sun-sensitive spots on your body, so be sure to protect them with broad-spectrum SPF 40. Supergoop's Handscreen is also armed with antioxidants and natural oils so you get a double dose of hydration to boot. Supergoop Handscreen SPF 40, $34.99 at Walmart
Best Gel Hand Cream
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Hand Cream with Hyaluronic Acid, $5.83 on Amazon
If creams aren't your thing for fear of too-thick, too-rich, too greasy hands, consider a gel formula instead. Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Hand Gel with Hyaluronic Acid quenches thirsty skin and retains moisture for softer, smoother and more supple hands. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Hand Cream with Hyaluronic Acid, $5.83 on Amazon
Best Hand Cream for Men
Jack Black Industrial Strength Hand Healer, $16 on Amazon
The most impressive thing about this best hand cream for men is that it's road-tested by golfers, carpenters and chefs to be sure it can stand up to the roughest conditions. Tough, calloused skin and cuticles don't stand a chance against Jack Black's Hand Healer. Jack Black Industrial Strength Hand Healer, $16 on Amazon
Best Hand and Cuticle Cream Set
Caudalie Hand and Cuticle Cream, $16 at Sephora
French beauty line Caudalie offers up a double duty cream. With antioxidant grape polyphenols, shea butter, and both avocado and apricot oil, this combination leaves hands and cuticles feeling repaired, nourished and protected. Caudalie Hand and Cuticle Cream, $16 at Sephora
Best Shea Butter Hand Cream
J.R. Watkins Shea Butter Hand Cream, Aloe & Green Tea, $9.79 at CVS
Shea butter, aloe and green tea team up for greatness in J.R. Watkins' tiny tube that's whipped together with more than 10 natural oils and extracts to protect, soothe and condition your delicate skin. It's also void of any nasties like parabens, dyes and phthalates. J.R. Watkins Shea Butter Hand Cream, Aloe & Green Tea, $9.79 at CVS
Best Hand Cream With Clean Ingredients
Nécessaire The Hand Cream With Peptide, $20 at Sephora
Nécessaire makes some of the most popular, eco-friendly body washes, serums and deodorants out there, so you know their clean hand cream focused around better-for-you (and the planet) ingredients is going to be good. Their fast-absorbing, daily moisturizer with peptides and multi-vitamins is suitable for all skin types, regardless whether your mitts are on the dry or irritated side. Nécessaire The Hand Cream With Peptide, $20 at Sephora
Best Hand Mask
Patchology Perfect Ten Self-Warming Hand and Cuticle Mask, $10 at Walmart
For a mini spa treatment at home, slip on these hand and cuticle masks that work like an express paraffin treatment for your hands. Formulated with a blend of fatty acid-rich butters, vitamin E and moisturizing fruit extracts, you can expect nourished, happy hands in just 10 minutes. Bonus: The gloves are made using the same insulation technology as space blankets, locking in your natural body heat, which makes this warming treatment a must-have for winter. Patchology Perfect Ten Self-Warming Hand and Cuticle Mask, $10 at Walmart
Best Scented Hand Cream
TOCCA Crema da Mano Hand Cream Cleopatra, $24 at TOCCA
One whiff of this heavenly hand cream and you'll get why Cleopatra famously used the watery cucumber and sweet grapefruit lotion in her beauty ritual. Enriched with natural extracts from coconut oil, shea butter and aloe, its quick-absorbing consistency will leave your skin soft and silky. TOCCA Crema da Mano Hand Cream Cleopatra, $24 at TOCCA
Best Hand Cream for Stronger Nails
Vaseline Intensive Care Hand Cream Healthy Hands and Stronger Nails, $3 at Walmart
With all this thinking around softer hands, shouldn't your nails get some love too? This intensive cream creates stronger, healthier cuticles and nail beds so you're at less risk for breakage, hang nails and rough fingertips. Micro-droplets of Vaseline Jelly and powerful (fragrance-free) moisturizers promise 10X stronger nails in just two weeks. Vaseline Intensive Care Hand Cream Healthy Hands and Stronger Nails, $3 at Walmart
Best Travel-friendly Hand Cream
NIVEA Creme Body, Face and Hand Moisturizing Cream, $1.17 at Walmart
Don't be fooled by this tiny little tin; there's a heavy duty cream packed within. NIVEA's hard-working multitasker does triple duty for hands, face and body...but a little goes a long way. It's also packed with provitamin B5 to soothe the scaliest skin on your elbows and knees, so be sure to pack it in your carry-on from here on out. The best part? It barely takes up any space. NIVEA Creme Body, Face and Hand Moisturizing Cream, $1.17 at Walmart
Next up, learn about a 3-step process for younger-looking hands.
