Everyone Needs an Amazing Hand Cream, So We Rounded Up the Absolute Best

You know the feeling. It starts at your fingertips, working its way up to your wrist until you can’t focus on anything beyond hunting down the best hand creams for dry skin. It could have been the work of an especially astringent soap or particularly desert-y air, but there’s only one solution—hopefully, it’s lying within an easily accessible pocket near you.

Here’s the thing though: your hand cream of choice has to be good. And because you don’t want to be slathering on something that evaporates moments later, or stays so slick you have to wash your hands (a vicious cycle), the moment also calls for a quality cream, which comes armed with a higher concentration of oils than typical lotions.

Finding a perfect hand cream is like discovering your own personal holy grail—a feeling matched only by rolling on a truly solid chapstick. Ahead, we break down the 25 absolute best hand creams for dry skin money can buy in 2022, from vegan formulas and budget-friendly finds to luxurious additions to keep in your purse.

Featured image of EADEM co-founder, Marie Kouadio Amouzame by Belathée Photography.

What are the hand cream ingredients for dry skin?

Though our 25 picks cater to a variety of concerns and budgets, there are a few things all great hand creams have in common.

“The main ingredients to look for are ceramides, glycerin, dimethicone, and petrolatum for very dry skin,” shares board-certified dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Geddes-Bruce. “If the skin is thick and scaly, I might also opt for lactic acid or urea.”

The Best Drugstore Hand Creams Under $10

The Best Luxury Hand Creams

The Best Unscented Hand Creams for Sensitive Skin

The Best Anti-Aging Hand Creams

The Best Hand Creams With SPF

The Best Vegan Hand Creams for Dry Skin

Do you have a favorite, tried-and-true hand cream? Share your recommendations in the comments!