The Only Creams That *Actually* Work on Dry, Cracked Hands
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Winter is just days away, and our chronically parched hands are already taking a big hit from these dry, frigid temps. Unlike the skin on our face, our hands are doing stuff all day long, be it typing up articles (hello), mastering the art of the spreadsheet, walking the dog, or enjoying a quiet, grandma hobby like crochet and needlepoint. And, as a result, they can get really dry—like, to the point of cracking.
To ward off these winter woes, you’ll need help from the best hand creams for super dry hands, and maybe a weekly mask and exfoliation, too.
Best Hand Creams for Super Dry Hands at a Glance
- Best Hand Cream, Overall: Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm, $35+
- Best Salve: Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve, $22+
- Best Budget-Friendly: eos Shea Better Ultra Derm Hand Cream, $4
- Best Heavy-Duty: BagBalm Ointment, $7
- Best Nostalgic: Bath & Body Works Warm Vanilla Sugar Hand Cream, $2 (was $9)
- Best Anti-Aging: Drunk Elephant Therabu Buttered Reparative Hand Cream, $24
- Best Scent: Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Touch Hand Cream , $16
- Best Quick Absorbing: EltaMD Skin Restore Hand Cream , $34
- Best Fragrance-Free: CeraVe Therapeutic Hand Cream , $11
- Best With Argan Oil: Moroccanoil Hand Cream, $12
What Do Dermatologists Recommend for Extremely Dry Hands?
Extremely dry, cracked hands are uncomfortable (to say the least). Fortunately, there is a way to keep the itchy, burning sensations at bay and, ultimately, heal dry, cracked skin. “Dry, cracked hands require both barrier repair and a few tweaks to your daily habits,” says Dr. Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Shafer Clinic in New York City. “I recommend getting a thick, ultra-nourishing hand cream and reapplying it consistently throughout the day, especially after every time you wash your hands.”
Additionally, Dr. Engelman says to slather on a generous layer—or even a thick occlusive like Aquaphor or Vaseline—then put on cotton gloves (like these from Clearbody Organics ) or socks to keep that moisture locked in overnight. “I also recommend avoiding very hot water, which can strip moisture from the skin [and] switch to a gentle, non-stripping, and moisturizing hand soap,” she adds. As a bonus, a weekly gentle exfoliation can ward off dry skin (we love the Lush Salted Coconut Hand Scrub) and “helps moisturizer penetrate more effectively.”
With all of that said, if your hands are painfully cracked or inflamed, Dr. Engelman says that these recommendations won’t help you. Instead, she recommends a low-strength steroid cream to calm the irritation and initiate healing (but a visit to your dermatologist is strongly advised).
How to Fix Really Dry & Cracked Hands
While the above advice can help address dry skin on your hands, sometimes you need to up the ante a little as regular hand cream might not be enough to soften and soothe those mitts. “When the barrier is compromised from cold and dry air, handwashing, and/or over-sanitizing, you need something more intensive,” Dr. Engelman notes. “For patients who consistently struggle with dry hands, I recommend repairing the skin with hand masks and regularly applying thicker, more occlusive hand creams to keep the skin hydrated and soft.”
Dr. Engelman swears by the Aquaphor Hand Mask and Patchology Rosé Fingers Renewing Hand Mask as a weekly treatment for dry hands. “They bathe your hands in concentrated, occlusive serum while sealed inside treatment gloves, creating the perfect environment for deeper absorption, softening the skin, and barrier repair,” she explains, adding that hand masks are “one of the fastest and most effective ways to revive severely dry winter skin.”
In addition to these treatment plans, Dr. Engelman says to get in the habit of applying a thick and nourishing hand balm (such as the Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm) after washing your hands. “This will restore moisture and help protect your hands from transepidermal water loss and the effects of cold, dry winter air.”
What Are the Best Hand Creams for Super Dry Hands?
If you have dry hands, there are lots of hand creams to choose from. As fellow dry hand girlies ourselves, we’re sharing some of our favorites ahead.
“I have naturally dry skin, live in an ultra-dry climate, and am not particularly kind to my hands. Add in the fact that my hobbies (crochet, needlepoint, and pottery) all involve materials that draw moisture out of my skin, and I usually have the driest, itchiest hands ever. This Aesop hand lotion is one of my favorites because it goes on like a thick balm but is fast-absorbing and non-greasy. I also love that the pump bottle makes it easy for my scattered brain to remember to reapply throughout the day (so long as it’s plopped right next to me at my desk).”—Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster contributing writer
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“My mom has used BagBalm since the early 90s—one of my earliest memories is of her applying this to her hands before bed—and now it’s one of my go-to solutions for dry hands and feet. Just make sure to put gloves or socks on so that you don’t get the formula all over your sheets.”— Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster contributing writer
“I love Drunk Elephant everything and have become particularly obsessed with this hand cream over the last few months. It lives on my bedside table and is often the last thing I apply to my skin before bed, and the first thing I reach for when I wake up.”— Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster contributing writer
