The Best Hand Creams For Dry Hands

Finding the best hand cream for dry skin can be like a guessing game. You don’t want a formula that’ll irritate your chapped hands, but equally, you need to make sure that it’s hydrating enough to make a real difference. That’s why we’re here to help and leave your hands looking their best, all year round. 

If you ask us, dry hands or not, we should all have a good hand cream in our beauty hauls. As the weather gets cooler and the winter cold turns into sore, dry hands, it’s better to be stocked up in preparation.

If you suffer from dry hands all year round, whether it’s from your job or a medical condition such as eczema, then a hydrating hand cream is key. Look for restoring ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and ceramides, as well as hydrating oils that will seal that extra layer of moisture in. Remember — hydrating doesn’t have to mean greasy

To help you along the way, we’ve got together our favourite hand creams for dry hands, so you don’t have to go searching. 

If you ask us, Aēsop is the definition of luxury. That’s why the Resurrection Hand Balm is worthy of a place in your bathroom lineup. Formulated to deeply nourish dry skin, this vegan, sustainable hand cream will leave your hands feeling soft and smooth rather than tacky and greasy. The blend of mandarin rind, rosemary leaf, and cedar leaves a lingering citrus and herbaceous scent — sounds dreamy. Add to your basket for a spa-like experience at home (and super nourished hands in the process). 

If you’re looking for the best of the best when it comes to hand cream for dry hands, then Nursem is the brand you need. Developed with hard-working hands in mind, Nursem was created to help hydrate, moisturise, and soothe nurses’ cracked and chapped hands from relentless handwashing. Developed using high-quality ingredients and medically tested, these hand creams keep dry, irritated skin at bay.

The Nursem Caring Hand Cream Unfragranced is no exception. Formulated with manuka honey, white willow extract, allantoin, pro-vitamin B5, plant oils, and glycerin, this ultra-calming cream is free from any nasties and full of all the good stuff. Plus, it’s essential oil and fragrance-free, meaning it won’t irritate even the most sensitive hands. 

So good, we had to feature them twice. This time, it’s the Nursem Caring Hand Cream — with all the same benefits as the unfragranced version, this hand cream makes skin dryness a thing of the past. Hydrated, moisturised, soft hands only.

If you ask us, NEOM can do no wrong and the Uplifting Hand Balm ticks all the right boxes. Enriched with two of the hardest working hydrating ingredients — shea and cocoa butter — this hand cream melts into the skin in seconds for a smooth finish and hands without dryness. To make it even better, the soft wild mint and mandarin scent smells good enough to eat (but don’t). 

Saving our skin woes for as long as we can remember, Mario Badescu never fails to deliver. The Rose Hand Cream is an essential we wouldn’t be without. The lightweight yet softening formula is enriched with nourishing oils to deeply condition and moisturise dry skin, without the greasy finish. The subtle rose scent is just enough without being too much, leaving a soft scent that’s just as good as the cream itself.

Get rid of the dry, chapped, and cracked hands for good. We mean it this time, thanks to the CeraVe Reparative Hand Cream. When it comes to repairing sore skin, this one doesn’t hold back. Formulated specifically for extremely dry and rough hands, three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid get to work on strengthening your natural skin barrier. But ultra-hydrating doesn’t have to mean greasy. This lightweight, non-greasy, fast-absorbing hand cream is non-comedogenic and fragrance-free, making it suitable for any skin type. To top it all off, it’s got a dermatologist’s seal of approval.

If you’re obsessed with the iconic Dr PAWPAW multipurpose balm, then get ready to meet your new favourite hand cream. The Dr PAWPAW Age Renewal Naturally Fragranced Hand Cream is a must-have for your stash. Formulated using 98% natural ingredients, including papaya, olive oil, and aloe vera, this anti-ageing cream is good skin in a tube. Vegan and cruelty-free, this cream goes hand in hand with a crop of sustainably sourced ingredients for nourished, soothed hands.

If you’re looking for a dry hands solution without breaking the bank, then the e.l.f. Cosmetics Holy Hydration Remedy Hand Cream is the answer to your wishes. A skincare-handcare hybrid, this hardworking, non-greasy formula is super nourishing thanks to the inclusion of hyaluronic acid and squalane. This moisturising cream will replenish even the driest hands.