Best Hand Creams to Save Your Dry, Cracked Skin

Winter is coming. Actually, for many of us it’s already here. So now’s the time to prepare. There’s nothing like a dollop of rich hand cream to soothe our dry skin during the cold weather months. But the best hand creams do way more than offer relief — they are actually vital anti-aging products. Why? Well, as it turns out, our hands age just as quickly as our faces. It’s all thanks to all the heavy use and exposure they endure throughout our lives. Luckily, a high-quality hand cream can help turn back the clock. But what separates the best hand creams from all the rest? Look for ones that are nongreasy, long-lasting and multipurpose (your cuticles will thank you). Moisture is what you’re after so make sure your pick includes hydration heroes. Think shea butter. If you’re the sensitive kind, avoid formulas with fragrance. On the other hand, a great-smelling hand cream can almost double as perfume. You just may be sniffing your hands all day long. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Ready to find your perfect match? Check out the hand creams that fit the bill below.

[ Next: The Very Best Lip Balms to Get You Through Winter, According to Happy, Hydrated Reviewers ]

Best Hand Creams Update Nov 2017

Best Hand Creams Update Nov 2017 #1

Eminence Organic Skin Care Mangosteen Replenishing Hand Cream, $34 at DermStore

A truly luxe hand cream, this formula softens and restores skin. It has lactic acid to smooth and refine dull skin along with mangosteen to nourish and boost radiance. You’re left with silky, noticeably younger-looking hands.
Best Hand Creams Update Nov 2017 #2

Ouai Hand Crème, $24 at Sephora

The brand’s creamy balm relies on coconut oil plus shea and murumuru butters to moisturize and soften hands. It’s nongreasy, which is super important when it comes to hand creams. Plus, its Rue St. Honoré fragrance boasts notes of violet, gardenia and white musk.
Best Hand Creams Update Nov 2017 #3

Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+ Hand Therapy, $29 at Ulta Beauty

This treatment not only hydrates, it promotes the most visible signs of youthful-looking hands. You’ll notice an improvement in the appearance of thin, crepey and delicate skin. It’s all thanks to shea butter, phospholipids and glycine.
Best Hand Creams Update Nov 2017 #4

Avène Cold Cream Concentrated Hand Cream, $15 at Avène

This best hand cream has some real staying power. That’s because the creamy formula lasts up to five hand washings, which means your dry skin will stay at bay without constantly having to reapply (and the tube will last longer than you think). The secret? Sucralfate helps restore and facilitate the recovery process, while glycerin and Avène’s thermal spring water hydrate skin, leading to a 77 percent reduction in cracks.
Best Hand Creams Update Nov 2017 #5

Clinique Deep Comfort Hand and Cuticle Cream, $25 at Nordstrom

Looking for a hand cream that makes a difference in the long run? Clinique’s version hydrates for 12 hours and actually boosts skin's ability to retain moisture, leading to healthy, happy hands. And it will even condition your cuticles for the best nails, hands down.
Best Hand Creams Update Nov 2017 #6

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream, $5.19 at Neutrogena

Neutrogena’s best hand cream is a classic for a reason. The highly concentrated formula effectively relieves dry, chapped hands. Squeeze out just a dab, rub into your hands and let the glycerin-rich cream provide long-lasting hydration to your parched skin.
Best Hand Creams Update Nov 2017 #7

Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream, $15 at Sephora

Not only does this best hand cream contain grapeseed oil to add moisture, but it also has antioxidant-rich grapeseed polyphenols. Throw in organic fair-trade shea butter and your hands will feel repaired, regenerated and nourished. The cream even boasts a delicate perfumed scent to soothe your senses as well as your hands.
Best Hand Creams Update Nov 2017 #8

Weleda Skin Food Skin Cream, $17.99 at Target

Technically, this isn’t a hand cream — it’s an all-over cream. Which only makes the indulgent formula that much more covetable. The essential fatty acids and vitamin E in its organic sunflower seed oil help moisturize skin, while organic pansy and rosemary leaf extract calm irritation.
Best Hand Creams Update Nov 2017 #9

Bliss Lemon & Sage Hand Cream, $10 at Bliss

Dial up the intensity on your quest to relieve dry hands with this supreme hand hydrator. Its silky formula features macadamia nut oil and grapeseed extract as key players to score smooth skin. Rub in the nongreasy cream to banish cracked skin and as an added bonus, you’ll get smoother cuticles.
Best Hand Creams Update Nov 2017 #10

Cake Milk Made Velveteen Hand Creme, $5.88 at Amazon

Healing dry, irritated hands is a piece of cake (sorry, had to) with this cream. Shea butter nourishes, aloe vera soothes, coconut oil hydrates and green tea extract supplies antioxidants. The luxe treatment absorbs quickly and the baked raspberries and cream scent is a sweet extra.
Best Hand Creams Update Nov 2017 #11

Kiehl's Ultimate Strength Hand Salve, $11.20 at Kiehl's

Designed to heal extremely rough skin caused by heavy industrial work and manual labor, this salve is pretty heavy-duty. So you know it will soothe your chapped, cracked hands with ease. It allows skin to draw and absorb water from the air, forming a "glove–like" protective barrier and features a blend of botanical oils and natural wax derived from olive oil to moisturize and condition skin.
Best Hand Creams Update Nov 2017 #12

La Mer The Hand Treatment, $95 at La Mer

While "Miracle Broth" may sound like an amazing soup, it’s actually La Mer’s proprietary formula that not only heals dry skin, but also protects it by creating an emollient barrier. The silky formula soothes hands on contact and the exclusive Skin Brightening Complex improves tone and clarity as it diminishes age spots. Apply the treatment with a massaging motion for best results.