Beauty

These Are The Absolute Best Creams For Dry Hands

Because our hands need all the help they can get this winter

Ugh, we know. Hand creams? Seems like such an unnecessary beauty purchase. Only, you know, it's not. Your hands need special attention. The skin on your hands is actually really prone to damage, both from the sun and other elements. And just like the rest of our body, hands can show signs of aging—in fact, they're often the first part of your body that does so. Do we have your attention now? Great. Let’s get into it.

Hand creams are underused because they’re so easy to forget about. But with the temperature dropping and, in turn, our moisture levels, it's something you're going to want to remember. Plus, when you use something often, you’ll get into the habit of using it all the time. Having the product be as cute and effective as possible will, too, help you remember to apply. 

Click through the slideshow, below, to learn about some of our favorite hand cream options for the driest and coldest of climes. 

Diptyque’s packaging is my favorite of the list because it includes a pump rather than a squeeze tube, which I find more sanitary. It also smells like a garden.

Diptyque, Eau Rose Hand Emulsion, $28, available at Diptyque.

This one is great for people who use their hands a lot for work or are exposed to the elements often. The thickness is significant, but not overwhelmingly so, and the avocado and sesame oils ensure that your hands will stay conditioned.

Kiehl’s, Ultimate Strength Hand Salve, $15, available at Kiehl’s.

Buy this one for the ‘gram, but also because it smells like what I assume every influencer smells like: musk mixed with violet.

Byredo, Mojave Ghost Hand Cream, $36, available at Byredo.

It’s hand cream in a cute fruit container that you can display at your desk. It makes moisturizing fun, and makes you look fun also!

TonyMoly, Peach Hand Cream, $12, available at TonyMoly.

Creams advertised as being for your hand and cuticles are confusing because aren’t cuticles just a part of your hand? Anyway, this drugstore option is very light and has a nice faint smell of coconut. If you’re interested in moisturizing but not in spending a lot of money, this is a good option.

Yes To, Protecting Hand & Cuticle Cream, $5.19, available at Target.

This cream is for the super duper dry hands. It’s very thick and goes on a bit greasy, but that dissipates as it sinks into your skin. While the scent isn’t my favorite, it will keep your hands hydrated for hours.

Weleda, Skin Food, $11.59, available at Target.

I apply this lavender cream right before I go to bed. It’s lasted me well over a year, and I always sleep more soundly whenever I remember to put it on.

Lollia, Relax Hand Crème, $25, available at Dermstore.

Honestly, I wasn’t expecting to like this one, because though it has all of the workings of a great hand cream and is one of the few on the market that also includes SPF, sunscreen products are often accompanied by a ghastly white residue and a chemical scent that I can't stand. However, this product has none of those bad things, just all of the good. The color is opaque, and the scent reminds me of a spa.

SuperGoop!, Forever Young Hand Cream, $12, available at Sephora.

Aesop's Instagram-friendly hand cream absorbs quickly and smells divine.

Aesop, Ressurection Aromatique Hand Balm, $27, available at Aesop.