These Hydrating Hand Creams Will Give You Baby Soft Skin (2024)

The Best Hand Cream Overall

Cerave Therapeutic Hand Cream

You can't go wrong with this drugstore staple, which happens to be Dr. Ostad's top pick. "It contains niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, as well as three ceramides to ensure hydrated and healthy skin," he explains. It's also fast-absorbing, providing immediate relief that won't sit in an uncomfortably thick layer atop your skin.

Pros: Dermatologist-approved; fast-absorbing; free of fragrances and parabens

Cons: Some customers wish it was richer

Customer Review: "This is my favorite hand cream. I live in the dry state of Arizona so I’m always in need of very moisturizing hand cream. This one works and keeps my hands from be by a shriveled mess. It absorbs right into the skin and doesn’t leave any greasy residue." - Cerave

The Best Scented Hand Cream

Phlur Missing Person Hand Cream

This hand cream has permanent residence in my purse. It smells fantastic, with a warm, subtle scent that's made to oxidize differently on every individual's skin. It has a unisex, floral musk scent that instantly calms my mind. Unlike most scented hand creams, this creamy formula never stings or irritates my sensitive skin.

Pros: Editor-approved; doesn't irritate skin; fast-absorbing

Cons: Small bottle; some users find the scent too strong

Customer Review: "I’m obsessed with the Missing Person fragrance, and this smells just like it. The scent isn’t too overpowering, but it’s still strong enough that I can smell it hours later, even after washing my hands." -Sephora

The Best Hand Cream for Damaged Skin

Eucerin Advanced Repair Hand Cream

With nourishing ingredients like urea and ceramides, this fragrance-free option gets to work repairing dry, cracked skin and dehydrating cuticles from the get-go. "It also repairs and gently exfoliates dry, rough skin on the hands," notes Dr. Osted. Plus, this doesn't just have to be a hand cream; I like to apply it to chapped spots like the elbows, knees, and feet.

Pros: Dermatologist-approved; editor-approved; fragrance-free

Cons: Some customers with cracked, bleeding skin find it stings

Customer Review: "I’ve been using this cream for years. No other product is as calming and soothing. It repairs dry hands and provides a silky protective barrier, which is so important when washing hands so often." - Eucerin

The Best Retinol Hand Cream

Nécessaire The Hand Retinol

You've certainly heard of Necessaire's shampoo and conditioner, but hand cream is the most underrated product they offer. "It protects your skin barrier with a mix of ceramides and peptides. I’m making strides to get rid of deep-seated blemishes from 'mom hands.' Years of cleaning, washing dishes, and wiping my kids’ messes have finally caught up with my sensitive skin," says Marie Claire Beauty Director Deena Campbell. "As a result, I always reach for the hand retinol that helps prevent wrinkles and minimize deep lines while I sleep."

Pros: Editor-approved; anti-aging properties;

Cons: Some users find the formula too thin

Customer Review: "I ordered this after using the Body Retinol with good results. I had noticed the skin on my hands looking crepey. Within a few weeks of using this right before bed, I noticed that the skin on my hands looks firmer." — Sephora

The Best Rich Hand Cream

Kiehl's Mini Ultimate Strength Hand Salve

A best-seller at Sephora (and one of Drew Barrymore's favorites), this hand cream is as rich of a formula as you'll get. "This is my absolute go-to when my hands are super dry. It has a very clean and subtle scent, extra hydrating, and a little goes a long way. It’s one of those things we always have on hand at home," says Kate Schofield, Marie Claire's E-Commerce Analytics Manager.

Pros: Editor-approved; evens skin texture; unscented

Cons: High price for a small bottle

Customer Review: "I’ve been buying this hand salve since I came across it many years ago and will not use any other hand creams. It’s so silky and a little goes a long way, and it doesn’t leave your hands greasy. Scent is minimal, little minty. I have this lotion in my office, purse and by my bed." -Sephora

The Best Aromatherapy Hand Cream

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Hand Lotion

Fragrance can help calm the mind, and that's exactly what this lemon-scented hand cream does for Campbell. "The aromatherapeutic lemon scent is so nostalgic (and good for my soul!), but physically, the mix of shea butter, almond oil, and essential oils is great for keeping my hands soft while doing chores around my home," she adds.

Pros: Editor-approved; contains essential oils

Cons: Some users found the scent overpowering

Customer Review: "The lotion is indispensable to me. It makes my hands feel so good. Lemon verbena is my favorite fragrance, but all the Mrs. Meyer’s lotions are great." -Mrs. Meyer's

The Best Viral Hand Cream

Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm

Add a little luxury to your everyday routine with Aesop's nourishing and non-greasy hand cream, which comes in two variations. "You can't go wrong with any of the brand's fragrances, but I'll never stray from the mandarin/rosemary leaf/cedar atlas combo. Grab a tubeanda pump bottle so you never, ever run out," notes Marie Claire's Beauty Writer Sophia Vilensky.

Pros: Editor-approved; popular scent; large tube

Cons: Expensive

Customer Review: "This may be the finest lavender-based hand cream on the market. It is rich and moisturizing without being goopy or sticky. The scent is subtle, pleasant and calming." -Neiman Marcus

The Best Fast-Absorbing Hand Cream

Herbacin Hand Cream

This hand cream is luxuriously creamy. Thanks to the ultra-hydrating glycerin in its formula, it restores moisture to my dry winter hands and erases any signs of ashiness immediately. Although thick, it's fast-absorbing and dries matte, so I don't have to worry about getting my keyboard greasy as I type.

Pros: Editor-approved; contains glycerin; a little goes a long way; fast-absorbing

Cons: Not available at many major retailers

Customer Review: "This is absolutely THE best hand cream. NO OTHER hand cream even comes close. It moisturizes without that greasy or watery feel and my hands stay moisturized until I wash them." -Herbacin

The Best Vitamin-Infused Hand Cream

Malin + Goetz Bergamot Vitamin B5 Hand Treatment

Malin + Goetz is one of my favorite brands, with lightly scented offerings that look chic, feel amazing, and work effectively. This hand cream is no different. People always compliment me when I apply the hand cream because the bergamot smells absolutely incredible. A little goes a long way, so don't be fooled by the little tube—it'll last you ages.

Pros: Editor-approved; great smell; a little goes a long way; contains Vitamin B5

Cons: Tube is made from aluminum, so you need a tube key to get every last drop

Customer Review: "This is the best lotion that I have found to date for healing my hands. It spreads easily. It doesn't smell like a women's fragrance. My hands also quickly absorb it, which does not leave my hands greasy." -Nordstrom

The Best Hand Cream Set

L'Occitane Hand Cream Trio

Mini hand creams are unequivocally the best because you can toss them into any small bag or pocket for on-the-go application. "These little guys from L'Occitane are super hydrating and have a variety of amazing scents," says Schofield. I keep one in my car and one in my handbag, and my husband always snags the unscented one for himself."

Pros: Editor-approved; three for the price of one; made with travel in mind

Cons: Fragrance may be irritating for some

Customer Review: "I don't think I'm bougie, but this brand has the best hand creams. My husband's hands get really dry/chapped from work, and after using these consistently, he says they have significantly healed/improved his skin. They also smell great in my opinion." -Sephora