Tested by The hands are some of the hardest-working parts of the body, with the fragile skin exposed to constant wear-and-tear, but they're often not given the care of other skin (like the face).
Enter hand creams, which are a must for keeping the delicate skin soft and free from dryness, especially if you frequently wash your hands or live in a dry or cold climate. But Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab testing has found that not all hand creams are equally effective at hydrating dry hand skin. But our list of the best hand creams features our beauty scientists' top picks that proved to be best at healing and moisturizing in our tests.
Our top picks:
"Hand creams hydrate skin, leaving hands feeling soft and looking smooth and plump," says GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek. "You should see and feel the results almost immediately." And dermatologists agree: "It's so important to keep hands moisturized, as they are subject to even more environmental damage than the face," adds Gregory Brown, M.D., founder of RéVive Skincare.
Beauty Lab expert tip: Remember to nourish hand and cuticle skin by stashing hand cream by your sink, in your purse and at your desk.
To help you sort through the endless formulas on the market, the GH Beauty Lab has put dozens of the most popular hand creams through rigorous testing over the years. Our scientists evaluate label-masked hand creams across price points using technical instruments to measure skin hydration in the Lab and with consumer testers for:
- Change in skin hydration level over six hours after application
- Ease of use and scent
- Look and feel of skin post-use
In the Beauty Lab's most recent test, 2,663 data points were tallied to find the winners.
After reading our reviews of the best hand creams to moisturize even extremely dry skin, learn all about our extensive testing process, what to look for when buying a hand cream and more at the end of this guide.
Our reviews
Pros
- Most hydrating formula in our tests
- Makes skin feel soft and look smooth
- Fast-absorbing and not oily
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- A few testers said they would have preferred a thicker texture.
| Key ingredients | Glycerin, vitamin E, plant oils |
|---|---|
| Size | 3 oz. |
| Fragrance | None |
“Cure” even the most dehydrated skin with Curél’s plant oil-infused lotion, the hands-down winner in our tests. Created to last through handwashing, it had one of the highest increases in skin moisturization ever measured in GH Beauty Lab testing. In Lab assessment with the Corneometer device, which gauges skin moisture levels, the formula raised hydration by a record 64%.
Though a few users said they would prefer a thicker texture, a full 100% of testers agreed that the lotion left skin feeling soft to the touch, and it scored high for soaking in fast and not being greasy. "It cleared up dry, scaly spots, and it stays on even when I rinse my hands," a user noted. Another agreed: "I wash my hands at least a dozen times a day, and my hands felt and looked noticeably smooth."
Pros
- Excellent hydration
- Most popular with testers
- Top-rated aroma
- Not tacky
Cons
- Some users remarked that the cream felt greasy.
| Key ingredients | Glycerin, shea butter, coconut oil |
|---|---|
| Size | 3.4 oz. |
| Fragrance | Warm, sweet |
True to its name, rich and buttery Vaseline earned top marks in Lab evaluations for deeply moisturizing dry hand skin. The formula, blended with shea butter and coconut oil, was also the tester favorite, receiving raves for its “warm, vanilla-like” fragrance.
It elevated skin moisturization by a strong 56% in Beauty Lab Corneometer calcuations, second only to the winner, and was rated best with testers for its “pleasant” scent. Two called the formulation “thick and creamy” and “very moisturizing” (a few users said it felt oily, though). Another reported: “My friends asked to use it because it smells so good.”
Eucerin Advanced Repair Hand Cream (Pack of 3)
Pros
- Strong moisturization
- Contains anti-aging ingredients to smooth skin
- Spreads easily
Cons
- Could leave hands feeling tacky or greasy
| Key ingredients | Glycerin, ceramides, lactic acid |
|---|---|
| Size | 2.7 oz. |
| Fragrance | None |
A GH Beauty Lab test winner for even extremely dry, crepey and wrinkled skin, Eucerin's combination of ingredients — glycerin, urea and sunflower seed oil — helped increase skin moisturization by an impressive 51%, according to measurements with the Corneometer device, which gauges skin hydration levels. In addition, testers gave it high marks for spreading easily and loved that it's purse-sized.
Another standout feature of the bargain-priced drugstore formula is that it contains alpha hydroxy acids, anti-aging ingredients that increase cell turnover to smooth skin texture. "It left my hands feeling actually moisturized," one consumer tester reported. And the compliments didn't stop there, with others saying it "felt silky," "made my hands smooth" and even helped moisturize cuticles. Note that some testers found it left their hands feeling sticky or oily after application.
Reserveage Hydrating Hand & Foot Cream
Pros
- Instantly smooths skin
- Contains anti-aging ingredients
- Pleasant scent
Cons
- Expensive
| Key ingredients | Glycerin, peptides |
|---|---|
| Size | 2.5 oz. |
| Fragrance | Fresh-fruity |
Combat signs of aging on hands with Reserveage's formula, recommended by GH Beauty Lab Executive Director Birnur Aral, Ph.D. “This rich-textured cream soaks right into skin and makes hands immediately feel silky-smooth," she says. "Thanks to the encapsulated copper peptides in its formula, it is designed to also work over time and help build collagen in skin." The icing on the cake? "It has a lovely scent which smells like a cross between cucumber and coconut," Aral notes. It's on the pricier side, but the formula does double duty and can be applied on feet as well.
Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream
Pros
- Effectively hydrates skin
- Leaves skin soft and smooth
- Rich formula to protect skin against harsh weather conditions
Cons
- May feel greasy
| Key ingredients | Glycerin, fatty acids |
|---|---|
| Size | 2 oz. |
| Fragrance | None |
This thick, glycerin-rich Neutrogena cream, ideal for winter, is dermatologist-recommended for a reason: In past GH Beauty Lab tests, it was a top-scoring formulation, increasing skin's hydration levels by 40.3%. It also rated well with testers for making skin feel soft and smooth and its pleasant scent, though some thought the formula was greasy. "The best hand cream I've ever used," one consumer tester raved. More positive tester feedback: "You don't have to use a lot to make your hands feel conditioned," and "even after washing my hands, they were still moisturized."
Karité Crème Mains Nourishing Hand Cream
Pros
- Created by a dermatologist
- Softens skin
- Lasting effects
Cons
- Scent wasn't appealing to most
| Key ingredients | Glycerin, shea butter, plant oils |
|---|---|
| Size | 3.4 oz. |
| Fragrance | None added (light natural scent) |
Not only recommended by a dermatologist, this Karité hand cream was created by one, Naana Boakye, M.D., along with her two sisters, who source sustainably-harvested raw shea butter from their native Ghana. In GH Beauty Lab testing, the formula scored high for leaving hands soft and testers reported that it provided lasting moisturization. Lab Corneometer calculations confirmed that it raised skin moisturization levels by a strong 39% over six hours after application.
While the cream has no added fragrance, most testers didn't like the natural aroma, which some said was reminiscent of coconut. "I have several fingers that were very dry to the point of peeling and this lotion helped them tremendously," a tester raved.
Pros
- Most softening and smoothing
- Best at improving appearance of rough skin
- Longest-lasting benefits
- Nonsticky
Cons
- Expensive
- Two users noted a greasy feel
- Powdery scent was polarizing
| Key ingredients | Shea butter, glycerin, plant oils |
|---|---|
| Size | 5.1 oz. |
| Fragrance | Powdery |
Treat rough hands to this indulgent, classic L’Occitane cream with a high 20% concentration of nourishing shea butter. It ranked above the rest at giving even chapped, cracked skin lasting smoothness and softness. The formula upped skin moisture levels by 32% in Lab Corneometer tests. An impressive 100% of users agreed it improved the look of chapped and cracked hands, making them feel soft and appear smooth.
"This will always be my favorite hand cream — I love how rich the texture is and how deeply it moisturizes," one GH editor says. "I have really dry skin and used to struggle with my knuckles cracking in the winter and when I worked as a server, this is one cream that changed everything for me." Health care workers who frequently sanitized their hands also raved about being “obsessed” with the “fantastic” cream. Two drawbacks: A few users noted a greasy feel and the powdery scent was polarizing (some found it "too strong").
Mary Kay Satin Hands Nourishing Shea Cream
Pros
- Smooths chapped and cracked skin
- Intensive formula
Cons
- May feel sticky
| Key ingredients | Shea butter, glycerin, plant oils, vitamin E |
|---|---|
| Size | 3 oz. |
| Fragrance | None |
Many testers said this rich fragrance-free Mary Kay hand cream helped make chapped hands appear smooth. The thickness is likely due to the high percentage of shea butter in the formula, Wnek explains, and is ideal for sealing moisture into cracked skin. Texture aside, users continue to gush about how much it's helped the feeling and hydration of their hands.
"I used it before bedtime and in the morning [my hands were] still soft and silky," one consumer shared. Note that this is a heavy-duty formula — some testers said the consistency left their hands feeling tacky post-application. "A small amount goes a long way," a tester noted.
Aveeno Skin Relief Intense Moisture Hand Cream
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Effectively moisturizes and smooths skin
- Made with soothing active ingredient
Cons
- Some users noticed a slight residue on skin
| Key ingredients | Glycerin, oat kernel flour |
|---|---|
| Size | 3.5 oz. |
| Fragrance | None |
Aveeno's hand cream, which contains soothing eczema relief active ingredient oat kernel flour and moisturizing glycerin, was rated as many testers' favorite in our Lab evaluations. They said it made hands look the smoothest, and it scored high for how quickly it absorbed into the skin. Not only did testers love this fragrance-free formulation, but it also improved skin hydration by a notable 31%.
Its thick formula provides a great barrier against outdoor elements without feeling oily (though some noted a bit of residue). "I loved how it spread easily and didn't feel greasy after," a tester remarked. "My hands felt smooth and moisturized."
Pros
- Leaves hands feeling soft
- Lasting hydration
- Pleasant light scent
Cons
- May take time to soak in
| Key ingredients | Glycerin, squalane, hyaluronic acid, plant oils |
|---|---|
| Size | 1.6 oz. |
| Fragrance | Soft, creamy |
Pamper hands with Fresh's decadent formula based on plant milks like rice and linseed. In GH Beauty Lab assessment, 100% of testers agreed it left hands feeling soft and provided lasting moisture. Lab Corneometer calculations showed that it improved skin moisturization by 35% over six hours. Users also found the "natural" scent to be light and pleasant, although some felt the cream didn't absorb fast enough.
Two testers concurred that "it was a noticeable improvement in the moisture level of my hands," and "it did a really good job moisturizing my extremely dry skin and the effects seemed to last several hours."
Philosophy Hands of Hope Sparkling Grapefruit Hand Cream
Pros
- Soaks in quickly
- Non-sticky
- Portable
- Appealing scent
Cons
- Not as moisturizing as other top performers
| Key ingredients | Shea butter, fatty acids, vitamin E, plant oils |
|---|---|
| Size | 1 oz. |
| Fragrance | Citrus |
GH Beauty Lab consumer testers praised this Philosophy hand cream's citrus scent and said it absorbed quickly without leaving a tacky feeling. Testers reported it softened their hands and Lab measurements showed that it was mildly moisturizing, delivering a 15% improvement. Plus, the small size can fit in almost any bag, so it's perfect for on-the-go application.
"Each time I applied the cream, my hands felt super soft, smelled great and left no traces of extra product," one tester raved. If you, like some of our editors, prefer a different scent, there are six other options available: green tea and avocado, coconut and guava, Hawaiian hibiscus, fig and pomegranate, berry and sage and fresh cream.
Bath & Body Works Restorative Hand Cream
Pros
- Portable size
- Softens skin
- Not sticky
Cons
- Some found the scent too strong
| Key ingredients | Glycerin, plant oils and butters, aloe |
|---|---|
| Size | 1 oz. |
| Scent | Fruity-floral |
Bath & Body Works is the perfect travel companion thanks to its compact one ounce tube. It ranked high in GH Beauty Lab testing for leaving hands feeling soft yet not tacky, and 90% of users agreed that they liked the "floral and citrus" scent, however some thought the aroma was "very strong" like "perfume."
It modestly increased skin hydration, by 19%, in Lab Corneometer testing. “I liked the moisture it added to my hands and that it was silky without being greasy and tacky," a tester enthused.
Soap & Glory Original Pink Hydrating Hand Food
Pros
- Highly moisturizing in Lab tests
- Leaves skin feeling soft
- A small amount of product is enough to cover hands, so the bottle may last longer.
Cons
- "Strong" floral scent wasn't appealing to most
- Two testers found it oily
| Key ingredients | Glycerin, shea butter, plant oils |
|---|---|
| Size | 4.2 oz. |
| Fragrance | Floral |
Get the most from your hand cream with this concentrated Soap & Glory formula, packed with botanical oils (grape-seed, sweet almond, macadamia): A little goes a long way in providing parched skin with serious hydration.
Lab Corneometer measurements showed that the cream boosted skin hydration by 50%, and testers gave it a high score for leaving hands feeling silky. “My hands are noticeably softer for several hours afterward,” one revealed, and several noted that they only needed to apply “a very small amount.” One drawback was the "strong" floral scent, which most users didn't find pleasant.
Pros
- Soaks in fast
- Not sticky
- Softens skin
Cons
- Scent is polarizing
| Key ingredients | Glycerin, hyaluronic acid |
|---|---|
| Size | 3 oz. |
| Fragrance | Fresh-floral |
No sticky, goopy fingers with this "clould-like" Jergens formula, a cooling, featherweight gel with hydrating hyaluronic acid that won a GH Beauty Award. In Beauty Lab evaluations, it lived up to claims of quick absorption, a clean feel and not leaving a tacky film on skin. Some users liked the fresh aroma, while others found it unpleasant. “My hands felt hydrated yet clean, as if I’d washed them,” a Wizemann commented. Aral noted: "It made skin soft in an instant."
Pros
- Increased skin hydration by 40%
- Kept hands soft hours later
- Refreshing gel formula
Cons
- Scent can be polarizing
- Can leave a greasy feel after application
| Key ingredients | Glycerin, hyaluronic acid |
|---|---|
| Size | 3 oz. |
| Fragrance | Fresh |
This great value Neutrogena hand healer, a top hydrator in GH Beauty Lab testing, features a gel-like formula that gives a refreshing, soothing sensation. In Lab Corneometer measurements, it raised skin hydration by a strong 40%. Hyaluronic acid helps add and lock in moisture, contributing to its impressive hydration scores. It scored well among testers for spreading easily on skin, though some users thought it had a greasy feel and the fresh scent was polarizing. "It kept my hands feeling very soft, even hours later," one tester commented. Another said: "My hands were very smooth and felt refreshed."
Vaseline Hand Cream + Anti-Bac (4 count)
Pros
- Softens skin
- Anti-bacterial
- Doesn't sting
Cons
- May not provide deep enough hydration for some
| Key ingredients | Benzalkonium chloride (anti-bacterial), glycerin, vitamin E |
|---|---|
| Size | 2.53 oz. |
| Fragrance | Fresh |
What if you could sanitize and soften hands at the same time? Enter this GH Beauty Award-winning, groundbreaking Vaseline double duty hand lotion and sanitizer, which kills germs sans alcohol while hydrating with vitamin E and glycerin. The formulation delivers antibacterial effects without burning or stinging and relieves dryness, Lab analysis found. “It’s not heavy or tacky, and my hands feel both moisturized and clean, which is a rare feat,” Wizemann reports. Note that this may not be the best option for skin in need of intensive hydration.
How we test hand creams
In the GH Beauty Lab's most recent test of hand creams, scientists assessed each formula's ability to hydrate skin using the Corneometer (below), a device that measures skin moisture levels. They calculated a moisture reading of bare skin, then dispensed a controlled amount of each product onto testers' forearms. Six hours later, testers returned to the Lab for another measurement to determine which hand creams actually improved skin moisturization over time and by how much.
GH Beauty Lab scientists then recruited 98 women to evaluate the label-masked hand creams (below) and report back on their ease of use, texture, scent and how hand skin looked and felt after application. Finally, Lab results and consumer feedback were combined to find out which products were cream of the crop. In total, the GH Beauty Lab collated 2,663 data points to identify the best-performing hand creams on the market.
What to look for when shopping for hand creams
"Simple moisturization and sun protection are the best treatments for hands," Dr. Brown says. Here are other points to keep in mind when searching for the right hand cream for your needs:
✔️ For dryness and cracked skin: Seek out "humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid to draw moisture into skin, plus occlusive ingredients like shea butter and petrolatum that will seal moisture in preventing hydration loss," Wnek advises.
✔️ For wrinkles and anti-aging: "Alpha hydroxy acids like lactic acid in hand cream formulas will exfoliate dry, flaky skin and increase skin cell turnover to reveal more radiant skin," Wnek says.
✔️ For dark spots and discoloration: "Just like the skin on your face, the best way to prevent discoloration and sun spots is to protect skin when exposed to the sun," Wnek says. After your hand cream, "slather on a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and reapply after washing hands," she suggests.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
GH Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler conducted the most recent hand cream test and provided testing data for this article as well as an expert review. She has years of experience as a cosmetic chemist, including formulating skincare products for a variety of brands and learning to decode ingredient lists, evaluate ingredient efficacy and scrutinize product claims.
GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek conducted past hand cream testing. She has spent nearly a decade overseeing the Lab's skincare product testing, including hand creams, night creams, serums, moisturizers, eye creams and more, utilizing both lab instrumentation and consumer feedback to recommend the best products on the market.
Wnek and Butler worked with GH Beauty Director April Franzino on this guide, providing test results and expert insights. Franzino has over 15 years of experience researching, writing and editing skincare content, utilizing the expertise of GH Beauty Lab scientists and top industry professionals such as dermatologists and aestheticians. She is an expert in all face and body skincare product categories, including hand creams, cleansers, toners, serums, moisturizers, exfoliators and more.
April (she/her) is the beauty director at Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman's Day, where she oversees all beauty content. She has over 15 years of experience under her belt, starting her career as an assistant beauty editor at GH in 2007, and working in the beauty departments of SELF and Fitness magazines.
Danusia (she/her) is a senior chemist in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she evaluates haircare, skincare, cosmetics and beauty tools. She holds a B.S. in chemistry from St. John’s University and a M.S. in pharmaceutical sciences with concentration in cosmetic science from the University of Cincinnati. Danusia has over 10 years of experience in the personal care industry including formulation, product development, claim evaluation and efficacy testing.
Chiara (she/her) is a reviews analyst in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she conducts hands-on testing of health and beauty products. She earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Columbia University. Before joining GH in 2022, she worked as a cosmetic chemist, formulating skincare products for a variety of brands and learning to decode ingredient lists, evaluate ingredient efficacy and scrutinize product claims.
