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Verywell Health / Alexander Huang
Unfortunately, dry hands are a common condition. Dry hands can lead to sensitive and dehydrated skin and, in some cases, broken and peeling hands. Frequent hand washing or skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis can cause it, but thankfully, utilizing a good hand lotion can help. Hand lotions keep skin protected, comfortable, moisturized, hydrated, and healthy.
To find the best lotions for dry, cracked hands, we researched dozens of lotions and tested 31 for two weeks at home. We evaluated them based on active ingredients, consistency, absorbency, moisturizing properties, fragrance, and value. We also had a dermatologist from our Medical Expert Board review this article for medical accuracy.
Ingredients to Look for in Lotions for Dry, Cracked Hands
When seeking a lotion to treat dry, chafed, chaffed, or cracked skin, look for products that provide moisturizing ingredients such as colloidal oatmeal, ceramides, and natural oils. Look for dermatologically tested or proven effective lotions for dry skin. David N. Lortscher, MD, board-certified dermatologist, suggests:
- Oil-based ingredients: Including occlusive agents like petroleum or mineral oil to help seal in moisture
- Soy: Contains active components that help restore skin barrier function and replenish moisture
- Silicones: When used in moisturizers, Lortscher says they act as lubricants and reduce friction
- Ceramides: Helps decrease dry skin and irritation
- Aloe: Known for skin soothing and healing properties
- Hyaluronic acid (HA): It’s a humectant, meaning it binds water and holds moisture in the outermost layer of the skin.
What Healthcare Providers Want You to Know
- Best use practices: Unless specifically stated on the product, hand lotions should not be used on other areas of the body, especially the face. According to Lortscher, while hand creams and lotions are both moisturizers, lotions have a higher water content, which can be more drying. Hand creams are more occlusive, which helps with water retention. He adds that hand creams are a better defense against cold, dry air.
- Frequency of use: if you have dry and cracked skin, you should apply hand lotion as frequently as necessary. Lortscher recommends applying and reapplying whenever the skin feels tight or dry.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Sometimes dry, cracked hands can be symptoms of a larger health condition. It may be wise to consult a healthcare provider if you have conditions like diabetes, or you're noticing severe dryness and flakiness before or after use of hand lotions and creams.
Our Top Picks
Best for Frequent Hand Washing
L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream
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Rich texture
Fast absorbing with no oily traces
Rich in omega 6 and 9
Scented; not ideal for sensitive skin
Contains tree nuts (almond oil)
Key Specs:
Active Ingredients: 20% shea butter | Size: 1 ounce, 5.2 ounces | Scented: Yes
Why We Recommend It
Before using L’Occtaine’s Shea Butter Hand Cream, we experienced dry hands, especially between the fingers, which is common with frequent hand washing. This shifted once we started using this hand cream. The consistency was perfect for us because it wasn't too thick and/or sticky but still super rich and creamy. It absorbed well and still felt incredibly light without being watery.
Infused with shea butter, honey, almond extracts, and coconut oil, this non-greasy, long-lasting hand cream moisturizes dry hands and restores moisture to the skin. It has a subtle, powdery fragrance, which we found pleasant during testing. Only a little of the lotion is needed for long-lasting relief, which goes a long way. We found consistent use improved our hands' overall moisture levels over time. Our skin’s appearance also improved—dry, flakey textures softened and became smoother.
Keep in Mind
It contains almond oil, which may not be best for people with tree nut oil allergies. The fragrance also doesn't make it ideal for people with sensitive skin. Lastly, while the value is worth it, it is a pricier pick than others on this list.
Another great option for frequent hand washing that's tree nut and fragrance-free is Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+. The first thing we noticed when using this pick was that it's a very matte, lightweight, thin formula that absorbed quickly into the skin. The hand cream glides easily over the skin, making our skin feel noticeably softer immediately, but it doesn't have a safety seal.
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L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream has a creamy texture, but it absorbs well and doesn’t leave a greasy film. PHOTO: Verywell Health / Alexander Huang ![L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream tube displayed on glass]()
This long-lasting hand cream is loaded with nourishing ingredients, including shea butter, honey, coconut oil, and more. PHOTO: Verywell Health / Alexander Huang
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Best Cruelty Free
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Touch Hand Cream
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Doubles as a cuticle cream
Bottle is 100% recyclable
Scent doesn’t last long
Key Specs:
Active Ingredients: Cupuaçu Butter, Brazil Nut Selenium, Squalan | Size: 1.7 ounces | Scented: Yes
Why We Recommend It
Sol De Janiero's Brazilian Touch Hand Cream is vegan and made without mineral oils, phthalates, or parabens. It's also cruelty-free and effective in moisturizing dry, cracked hands. Just a pea-sized amount left our hands feeling moisturized, hydrated, and amazingly soft for hours. This hand cream was lightweight and absorbed almost instantly with no leftover residue. It carries a subtle, warm, spicy vanilla scent and can be used as a cuticle cream.
This hand lotion is created with cupuaçu butter, which is rich in fatty acids, polyphenols, and antioxidants. These benefits benefit your skin's natural oil barrier and help plump it up, giving it a younger, more youthful appearance. The squalene in the formula replenishes the skin's moisture when your hands dry.
Keep in Mind
We loved the scent, but it didn't last very long.
Best for Eczema
CeraVe Therapeutic Hand Cream
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National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance
Made with ceramides
Not ideal for severely cracked hands
Key Specs:
Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, and Ceramides | Size: 3 ounces | Scented: No
Why We Recommend It
This non-greasy, fast-absorbing hand cream is ideal for chafed, dry, and cracked skin. We like how it is gentle and non-irritating to the skin while water-resistant and fragrance-free. The hyaluronic acid, niacinamide formula, and three essential ceramides provide long-lasting moisture for our hands. Additionally, CeraVe Therapeutic Hand Cream has received the National Eczema Association seal of acceptance, which sets it apart as being specially approved for use on sensitive skin or eczema.
While this pick is made for people aged 13 and up, the discomfort of eczema symptoms isn't exclusive to teens and adults. For babies over three months with dry, cracked skin, we recommend Eucerin's Baby Eczema Relief Body Cream. We love it because it addresses those skin conditions while protecting and moisturizing the baby's skin. It utilizes colloidal oatmeal, ceramide-3, and licorice root extract to treat sensitive skin and eczema for up to 24 hours. Just be aware that this lotion may not be best for babies with oat allergies.
Keep in Mind
This may be a little too thin for severely cracked and chafed hands.
![CeraVe Therapeutic Hand Cream being applied to skin]()
CeraVe Therapeutic Hand Cream has a light texture and absorbs quickly into the skin, providing long-lasting and gentle hydration. PHOTO: Verywell Health / Alexander Huang ![CeraVe Therapeutic Hand Cream]()
This hand cream received a seal of approval from the National Eczema Association and works especially well for those with sensitive skin. PHOTO: Verywell Health / Alexander Huang
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Best Natural
Grown Alchemist Rich Restorative Hand Cream
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Certified and verified toxic free
Completely cruelty free
Pricier
Key Specs:
Active Ingredients: Rosehip oil, camellia, sea buckthorn, wheat germ | Size: 2.19 ounces | Scented: Yes
Why We Recommend It
Grown Alchemist Hand Cream Vanilla and Orange Peel is 100% vegan, cruelty-free, certified and verified toxic-free. After testing this natural lotion for two weeks, this plush, lightweight, and moisturizing pick left our dry, cracked hands feeling hydrated and healthy, especially in the harsh, arid winter months. The sophisticated aroma gave us a little pick-me-up as aroma therapy whenever we encountered it throughout the day.
Rosehip oil makes this hand cream super hydrating, while camellia (yes, the flower) helps the hydration last long and penetrate the skin. Seabuckthorn berry and wheat germ work to rejuvenate and regenerate the hands’ natural moisture, using free radical antioxidants that protect the skin and fight the effects of aging.
Keep in Mind
One thing to be aware of is that this hand cream has a thicker texture, so if you’re averse to thicker hand creams, this may not be the best option for you. Also, it didn't absorb instantly. It took about 30 minutes for it to dry down completely.
Best for Working Hands
Benton Hand Cream
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Great travel size tube
No discernable scent
Can take a while to dry down
Key Specs:
Active Ingredients: Shea Butter, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil | Size: 1.76 ounces | Scented: No
Why We Recommend It
Our hands were rough before we tested this body butter due to excessive workouts. Benton Shea Butter left us nourished and hydrated through powerlifting and excessive hand work. This pick is derm-tested and full of hyaluronic acid, which is great at hydrating the skin. It also has shea butter and olive oil, which moisturizes, prevents dryness, and locks in moisture. The lotion felt lightweight, and a little went a long way. We covered our hands with just a dime-sized amount, and it helped our hands stay moisturized through our lifting sessions. The consistency was perfect, not too thin or thick, and our hands didn't feel sticky. We also didn't notice any discernible scent, which was very gentle.
Keep in Mind
It took longer than we would have liked for it to dry down and it left a slight greasy residue after, but it went away fairly quickly.
Best SPF Protection
Supergoop! Handscreen SPF 40
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Reef-friendly SPF
Fragrance-free
Super silky texture
Expensive
Key Specs:
Active Ingredients: Sea buckthorn extract, argan oil | Size: 6.7 ounces | Scented: No
Why We Recommend It
We tested Supergoop! 's Handscreen, which lived up to its very innovative name. This reef-friendly formula packs broad-spectrum SPF 40 and protects against UVA and UVB rays. It's also derm-tested and has a clean ingredient list. Using seabuckthorn fruit extract, which is rich in omega-7 fatty acids, it's hydrating and nourishing and fights off harsh environments and factors such as (of course) sunlight but also cold weather. Oh! It also comes in multiple sizes, so you can carry one and have one at home, so you're always prepared and protected.
Sun damage worsens and intensifies dry skin, so it's important to use a high-protection sunscreen lotion, particularly when you spend a lot of time outdoors and are exposed to direct sunlight. Since it is a sunscreen, we suggest you use it as directed for maximum sun protection: Apply generously and evenly 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every two hours (unlike other hand lotions, which you apply largely after washing hands or when needed).
Keep in Mind
We noticed it smelled slightly like sunscreen, but the smell faded fairly quickly and didn’t bother us. If you're sensitive to sunscreen smell, this product may not be for you.
![Supergoop!âs handscreen being applied]()
The Supergoop! Handscreen SPF 40 has a light, silky texture, is fragrance-free, and is easy to apply. PHOTO: Verywell Health / Alexander Huang ![Supergoop!âs handscreen]()
This handscreen is derm-tested and is packed with skin-nourishing ingredients, like seabuckthorn fruit extract. PHOTO: Verywell Health / Alexander Huang
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Best for Diabetes
Fenty Skin Recovery Glycerin Hand Mask
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Overnight mask
Great for winter months
Packaging can make product hard to dispense
Key Specs:
Active Ingredients: Glycerin, panthenol, murumuru and mango butters | Size: 1 ounce, 2.5 ounces | Scented: Yes
Why We Recommend It
We loved Fenty Skin Hydra'Reset Intensive Recovery Glycerin Hand Mask for dry, cracked hands because it is a super hydrating and luxurious feeling product. It also aids in specific skin care needs that people with diabetes may prioritize. When testing this lotion, the lightweight gel-like cream spread around our hands like butter, and after about two minutes, the gel was completely absorbed into the hands. We didn’t feel any residue or oiliness. It's a hand mask, which is great for people with diabetes because it gives the hands time to rest and absorb as much moisture as possible. It's also full of humectants, which draw in extra moisture. There’s a faint tropical scent, but it wasn’t noticeable to us. It also comes in a standard size and a smaller one that is best suited for travel or small spaces.
Also, we suggest using this pick overnight instead of during the day, like traditional hand creams. That way, it can soak in the skin without needing to reapply throughout the day, and you won't fear that it’ll get wiped off.
Keep in Mind
The packaging can make the product hard to dispense.
Best Dermatologist Recommended
Eucerin Repair Hand Cream
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Neutral scent
Not too sticky
Dried down texture can feel slippery
Key Specs:
Active Ingredients: Amino acids and ceramide-3 | Size: 2.7 ounces | Scented: No
Why We Recommend It
Eucerin Advanced Repair Hand Creme is the best dermatologist-recommended lotion. This hand creme can be extremely beneficial for dry, cracked hands because it’s enriched with ceramide-3 and natural moisturizing factors, including amino acids, similar to those already naturally found in your skin. It can soften skin and seal in moisture to deliver long-lasting hydrating results.
Keep in Mind
The dried-down texture can feel slippery.
Best for Sensitive Skin
Soap & Glory Pink Hand Food
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Easy to use dispenser
Quick relief
Very strong scent; not suitable for all sensitivities
Key Specs:
Active Ingredients: Shea butter | Size: 4.2 ounces | Scented: Yes
Why We Recommend It
Soap & Glory's Original Pink Hand Food was thick, creamy, rich, and moisturizing without being greasy. This lotion spread easily across our dry, cracked hands and didn't aggravate our sensitive skin. While there aren't many listed ingredients, it's derm-tested for all skin types.
We used this product three to five times a day because we loved how moisturized and nourished our hands felt after using it. Also, after two weeks of use, we still had a substantial amount in the tube, which shows that a little goes a long way.
Keep in Mind
We noticed that the scent is very strong. If you're sensitive to smell, this may not be for you.
How to Prevent Dry, Cracked Hands
You can prevent dry, cracked skin by applying moisturizing hand lotions and creams daily, after washing, or before going outside and facing weatherly elements. If your dry, cracked hands are the result of a health condition, it’s always recommended to keep your health condition’s symptoms and traits in mind when selecting a cream or lotion. It’s also wise to talk to a medical professional.
How We Selected and Tested the Best Lotions for Dry, Cracked Hands
Our recommendations were based on a blend of home testing and expert guidance. We also consulted dermatologists to learn what to look for when choosing a hand lotion. We tested 31 hand lotions total and evaluated them over two weeks based on the following criteria:
- Consistency: During this period, we noted how quickly the lotion spread, how thick it was, and how it fared against the elements.
- Active Ingredients: We checked the ingredient list for ingredients that benefit dry, cracked skin.
- Absorbency: When we applied the lotion, we closely examined how quickly it absorbed into our skin and whether it dried with unwanted or unusual residues. We also noted whether it gave our skin a glow or had a matte sheen.
- Moisturizing properties: We monitored our skin to see how it felt before and after use and how hydrated it felt. We also checked throughout the day to see how well our skin retained the newly added moisture.
- Fragrance: We noted any fragrances the hand lotions had and how discernible and strong they were. We also timed how long the scent stayed on our hand or dissipated.
- Value: We compared the above to the price point to see if the hand lotion's performance matched the product's financial cost.
What to Look for in Lotions for Dry, Cracked Hands
- SPF: Dry and sensitive skin is only further damaged and sensitized when exposed to the sun, so be sure to use a lotion with sun protection or apply sunscreen in addition to moisturizing lotion.
- Consistency: Lotions come in varying consistency, from watery and thin to thick and creamy. When addressing dry, cracked skin, it’s important to find a consistency of lotion that will help lock in moisture (often found in thicker creams), but that’s also still wearable and comfortable.
- Disclaimers for prolonged use: Some products are not recommended to be used regularly or continuously. Read the directions for use and seek medical guidance if you have any questions.
- Fragrance: Unscented lotions can limit the risk of additional skin irritation. Lortscher recommends unscented lotions for dry, cracked hands to avoid irritation from alcohol or other common irritants.
Our Experts
We consulted experts at every step of this article. We consulted the following dermatologist:
- David N. Lortscher, MD, board-certified dermatologist
Why Trust Verywell Health
Brittany Loggins is a writer with a depth of experience in a range of subjects, from wellness to politics. She is a seasoned health reporter who seeks input from doctors and experts in order to provide thoroughly-vetted product recommendations.
Additional reporting by Brittany Leitner
As a health writer with over eight years of experience, Brittany Leitner understands how important access to information is when it comes to making educated health decisions. She has interviewed dozens of medical experts, tested hundreds of products, and aims to provide quality recommendations that won't break the bank.
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