10 Hand Moisturizers We Tested and Trust to Keep Our Hands Hydrated All Winter Long

“My skin was softer and less itchy, more supple, and no cracking on rough areas,” says writer Tori Martinet, who tested this product and used it during the winter. “It was definitely less dry looking, not ashy, and had a nice softness.”

We like that it’s thick without being goopy, but we did notice a bit of residue left behind. We think it’s a good pick for people with very dry skin, but it might be a little too much for summertime use. 

“My skin feels softer, especially dry patches by my elbows,” Ginos says. She mentions it isn’t easy to apply to the full body or larger areas, like the legs: “I preferred it for spot-treating areas, or applying to smaller spots like the back of my hands.”

Users are supposed to apply this product to damp skin to help reduce greasy residue, but we had a bit of residue either way when applying it.

“My skin had a more hydrated appearance. I used it on the back of my vein-y hands consistently, and they’re certainly more moisturized and plumper,” writer Jessica Migala says. “It absorbs into skin well, no greasy or sticky residue. Leaves skin smooth.”

Though there’s no added fragrance, the ingredients themselves have a smell. We also found the container to be a bit small, so you might want to stock up with the brand’s “case of 2” offer. 

“It’s ultra-hydrating for my dry, 36-year-old skin,” says Maria Cristina Lalonde, a health writer. She liked “its subtle nut butter smell, the fact that it was sourced through fair-trade women’s co-ops in Uganda … and the fact that it has only one ingredient.”

The packaging is 100 percent recycled aluminum, which we appreciate, but it’s stiff and a bit hard to squeeze out more than a pea-sized amount of the product at a time. Fortunately, that’s really all you need, since a little goes a long way.

Raki Swanson, a writer, loves this ultra-light lotion that’s cruelty-free, paraben-free, and synthetic fragrance–free (its ingredients are 99.8 percent natural). “I swear that my old lady, sort-of wrinkly hands, went away,” raves Swanson. “I mainly used this product on my hands and arms during testing, with an occasional test on my face and neck. But during this testing period, my wrinkles started to disappear. I’m attributing this to my skin getting moisture, and that’s because of the lotion.”

Swanson also loved the Bergamot and Blood Orange scent. “The orange is not too overbearing and is not too citrusy — the mixture of the bergamot makes it very toned down,” she says. “They complement each other well.” The product absorbs quickly, but we wish the bottle had a pump rather than being a squeeze bottle. 

The main ingredient in this lotion is aloe, so it’s not surprising that Sadie Crouch, a registered nurse, found this very soothing to her dry skin. “The biggest difference I noticed was in my hands,” she says. “I get ashy and cracked knuckles. This lotion really improves that, especially after washing hands. My background is in nursing. I think if I were still working at the bedside and washing my hands so often, I would take this with me to work and use it all day long.”

The formula is very easy to apply and absorbs quickly, leaving no residue behind and improving dry, cracked skin.

Crouch adds that the Key Lime scent was “smooth, tropical, and relaxing” and “reminds me of being away and relaxing.” Although the lime scent was strong, if you’re sensitive to fragrances, keep that in mind. 

“Yummy” is how Lalonde describes the scent of this body butter. “I mean it. I almost want to eat this moisturizer!” She adds that the scent is not overpowering: “I always find myself smelling my hands after applying and getting a little mood boost.”

This is a thick, creamy body butter marketed for melanin-rich skin, but we think it’s fine for any skin color.

This product is made from shea butter and packed with vitamins A, B, and E. The formula leaves behind a brief residue that absorbs quickly, leaving our skin feeling silky smooth instead of ashy and dry. And while the moisture lasted all day, we kept reaching for it to reapply anyway, just because we liked the product so much.

The body butter is a thick, rich product, but it isn’t greasy, so it may even work for those whose skin leans on the oily side. However, we know not everyone wants a super thick product, so it’s worth mentioning. 

If dry skin is a major concern, Eucerin Advanced Repair Body Lotion for Very Dry Skin will keep your skin hydrated all day. We like that it’s fragrance-free for those who have sensitive skin as well. It comes in a big bottle that could last you all winter. The pump makes it easy to apply. “Yes, I do think it delivers on its promise of moisturizing skin,” Katharine Chan, a writer, says. “It definitely locks in hydration, doesn’t need to be reapplied throughout the day, and leaves skin far from dry.”

The ceramides help heal the skin barrier, which is great for those struggling with very dry hands. However, this might not be suitable for those whose skin is not very dry, as the formula is greasy and leaves behind a noticeable residue. But that kind of moisture is just the thing someone with dry, cracking hands needs. 

This gel-like lotion is easy to spread over large areas, like the legs, but is also perfect for the hands, so long as you remember that a little goes a long way. “I did notice a difference in hydration,” says Natasha Caleel, a writer and licensed occupational therapist. “I have chronically dry skin and hands due to washing them often, so they did seem more hydrated and skin more elastic.”

“I did notice that my skin was less dry after consistent use, and my hand appeared less dull and wrinkled,” Caleel shares. However, we thought the formula was slightly sticky, especially if overapplied. We also found the scent a bit overpowering. 

Martinet has sensitive skin and appreciated that this lotion is fragrance-free. She felt her skin absorbed it within 30 minutes, while it also softened her driest skin and “lasted all day.” If you need an even thicker version of the same ingredients, there is also Aveeno Skin Relief Healing Ointment.