Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (2024)

Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (1)

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Here's something you probably don't think about often: Your hands take on a lot throughout the day. Whether they're scrubbing your hair in the shower, typing away at your computer, or constantly being washed, your hands can get dried out pretty dang fastโ€”especially in the winter time.

Plus, it turns out that having dry hands isn't only annoying for you. It's also a health risk. "Dry skin makes your hands more susceptible to irritation and allergic reactions from substances containing harsh chemicals or even just regular soap and water," says dermatologist Dr. Miriam Vega Gonzalez, MD.

Peep a few of the best hand creams, below:

While it's of course important to wash your hands frequently, you also want to make sure you're replenishing the natural oils that keep your skin hydrated and soft. Dr. Gonzalez says she loves lotions that have ceramides, because the the top layers of the skin are held together by them.

Other than that, she says to look out for the thickest possible hand lotions, because those will be the most moisturizingโ€”especially if you may be looking to smooth wrinkles. "Ointments are more moisturizing than creams, and creams are more moisturizing than lotions." Basically, if you've got super cracked skin, you'll want a thicker formula like these ones from L'Occitane or Aesop.

Ready to make dry hands a thing of the past? Look no further than these 13 expert-approved hand creams, balms, lotions, and salves.

1

Most Gentle Formula

Therapeutic Hand Cream

Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (8)

Pros
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (9)Good for sensitive skin
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (10)Has ceramides
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (11)Approved by a derm
Cons
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (12)Not scented

Dr. Gonzalez says that CeraVe's hand cream is great at replacing the natural ceramides in your skin. This formula contains three types of ceramides for the skin barrier as well as hyaluronic acid for a truly therapeutic feel, as the name would suggest.

Reviewers say it's super gentle on sensitive skin, too.

Key IngredientsHyaluronic acid, ceramides, niacinamide
FormulaCream

2

Most Calming Hand Cream

Eucerin Advanced Repair Hand Cream

Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (13)

Pros
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (14)Thick formula
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (15)Good for sensitive skin
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (16)Affordable
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (17)Unscented
Cons
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (18)Some miss the fragrance

Dermatologist Dr. Harold Lancer, MD, recommends Eucerin's ultra recognizable hand cream. "It's an affordable, easy-to-find hand cream that helps lock in moisture," he says.

Free of both fragrances and dyes, it calms irritated, sensitive skin with ingredients like ceramides and shea butter. Reviewers swear by it for healing cracked, callous hands.

Key IngredientsCeramides, lactic acid
FormulaCream

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Pros
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (20)Non-greasy formula
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (21)Spa-like scent
Cons
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (22)Pricey

Blended with replenishing lactic acid, hydrating andiroba oil, and more plant-based hydrating ingredients, Aveda's hand cream is loved for its therapeutic feel and relaxing, spa-like scent. It was specifically designed to decrease signs of aging (which are, obviously, totally normal, beautiful, and natural!).

It's an indulgent option to complete your at-home manicure routine.

Key IngredientsVitamin A, lactic acid, aloe, sunflower seed oil
FormulaCream

4

Best Overall

L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream

Pros
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (24)Has thousands of five-star reviews
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (25)Thick without being greasy
Cons
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (26)Pricey

L'Occitane's cult favorite non-greasy hand cream is made with 20 percent organic shea butter, organic spring honey, and skin-plumping omegas. The consistency is thick enough to keep your hands hydrated until their next wash, yet it absorbs fast enough that it won't leave a trail on your keyboard.

Key IngredientsShea butter, honey, almond extract, coconut oil
FormulaCream

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5

Most Hydrating Formula

Aquaphor Healing Ointment

Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (27)

Pros
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (28)Thick formula
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (29)Affordable
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (30)Extremely hydrating
Cons
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (31)Not scented

Aquaphor is a great option for the driest of hands. Dr. Gonzalez says that ointments like these are great for locking in the skin's natural moisture and for healing super cracked knuckles and creases.

Smother your hands (and even elbows or lips) in it overnight to wake up with soft-as-a-baby-butt skin.

Key IngredientsPetrolatum
FormulaOintment

6

Most Lightweight Formula

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hand Gel

Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (32)

Pros
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (33)Lightweight and non-greasy
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (34)Packed with hyaluronic acid
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (35)Affordable
Cons
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (36)Not the most hydrating

Neutrogena's gel formula is lightweight without skimping on its hydrating qualities. It won't provide the instant satisfaction that a thick cream, ointment, or lotion does, but the hyaluronic acid-infused formula is great for anyone who needs to relieve dryness in a non-greasy formula.

It has a refreshing feel that you'll love during the summer time, too.

Key IngredientsHyaluronic acid
FormulaGel

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7

Most Luxurious Hand Cream

Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm

Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (37)

Pros
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (38)Paraben and cruelty-free
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (39)Scent is pleasant yet light
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (40)A little goes a long way
Cons
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (41)Pricey

When someone pulls this Aesop hand balm out of their purse, you just know they have good taste. The brand is all about clean elegance in their packaging and formulas, and this is probably one of their most popular products.

It's not exactly cheap, but you do get a pretty large amount of product in a tube, and since this is a balm (rather than a lotion), just a pea-sized amount goes a very long way.

Key IngredientsMandarin rind, rosemary leaf, cedar,
FormulaBalm

8

Best All-Natural Formula

Weleda Sea Buckthorn Hand Cream

Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (42)

Pros
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (43)Clean formula
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (44)Comes in three fragrance options
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (45)Fragrance is all natural
Cons
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (46)Some don't like the scents
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (47)Formula has beeswax (is not vegan)

A lover of Weleda's iconic Skin Food Cream? With ingredients like sea buckthorn, sesame, and mandarin essential oil, this cream might be a worthy match for your rough AF hands.

Plus, the all-natural ingredients list make it a real fan fave.

Key IngredientsSea buckthorn extract, beeswax, sesame oil,
FormulaCream

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9

Best Salve For Wrinkles

Burt's Bees Hand Salve

Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (48)

Pros
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (49)Super thick formula
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (50)Affordable
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (51)Features only one ingredient (beeswax)
Cons
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (52)Some don't like how thick it is

Yet another ointment to put on your radar, this salve by bestselling brand Burt's Bees soothes uncomfortable cracks and skin breaks with a combo of botanical oils, herbs, and beeswax. Salves are def on the heavier side, but that's good because, again, it protects your skin barrier.

Reviewers say it helps to smooth out wrinkles if that's a goal of yours, too.

Key IngredientsBeeswax
FormulaOintment

10

Best SPF Hand Cream

Supergoop! Handscreen SPF 40

Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (53)

Pros
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (54)Contains SPF
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (55)Small bottle makes it easy to carry around
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (56)Non-greasy formula
Cons
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (57)Pricey

It's true that hands show the first signs of aging, so don't skimp on the SPF. Supergoop's "Handscreen" is super easy to apply and reapply. It's pricey, but that's just because it's packed with tons of high-quality, skin-loving ingredients like sea buckthorn, sunflower, and argan oil.

You'll always want to keep some on-hand (literallyโ€”sorry, couldn't help myself).

Key IngredientsSPF, sea buckthorn, argan oil
FormulaCream

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11

Best Overnight Hand Salve

Kiehl's Ultimate Strength Hand Salve

Pros
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (59)Super thick formula
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (60)Fragrance-free
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (61)Good for sensitive skin
Cons
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (62)Some say the natural scent smells medicinal
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (63)Fragrance

This ultra thick hand salve will restore dryness ASAP. The fragrance-free formula is clean and great for anyone with sensitive skin. Wear it overnight to let the ingredients like avocado oil and glycerin sink in, then experience all the hydrating benefits the whole next day.

Key IngredientsAvocado oil, eucalyptus oil,
FormulaSalve

12

Most Vitamin-Packed Formula

Jack Black Industrial Strength Hand Healer

Pros
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (65)Absorbs quickly
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (66)Heals dry cuticles
  • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (67)Good price for the value
Cons

    "This industrial strength hand healer is packed with Vitamins A and E and offers a light, clean scent," says dermatologist Dr. David E. Bank, MD. "Itโ€™s actually great because it's packed with the perfect amount of emollients and absorbs quickly, leaving hands super soft."

    He adds that it works wonders on cuticles, too.

    Key IngredientsVitamin A, rice bran oil, eucalyptus oil
    FormulaCream

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    13

    Best For Glowing Skin

    Cetaphil Restoring Lotion With Antioxidants

    Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (68)

    Pros
    • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (69)Can be used all over the body
    • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (70)Contains antioxidants
    • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (71)Fragrance-free
    • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (72)Non-greasy
    Cons
    • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (73)Not travel/purse-friendly
    • Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (74)Contains mineral oil

    "Cetaphil's Restoring Lotion is not only great for the body, but for the hands, too, since it improves skinโ€™s radiance and helps minimize the appearance of dark spots," says Dr. Bank. He also likes that it's fragrance-free, paraben-free, non-comedogenic, non-irritating, and non-greasy. That makes it a great option for sensitive skin.

    Since you can use it all over the body, it's a great do-it-all lotion you'll love keeping on your bathroom vanity or nightstand.

    Key IngredientsNiacinamide, squalane
    FormulaLotion

    Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (75)

    Neha Tandon

    Former Senior Commerce Editor

    Neha Tandon is the former senior commerce editor of Women's Health. She has written for New York Magazine, Cosmopolitan, BRIDES, Harper's Bazaar, Business Insider, Byrdie, and Well+Good.

    Your Hand's Gonna Be Softer Than A Baby's ๐Ÿ‘ With This Hand Cream (2024)

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