Hand Creams for Dry Skin

Hand Creams for Dry, Cracked Hands

Hands get washed more than any other part of you, and they have fewer oil glands to bounce back with. That's why they're often the first place to feel tight or sore. A good hand cream for dry skin does more than sit on top. Look for ingredients like urea or shea butter, which help skin hold on to moisture between washes.

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Eucerin Urea Repair hand cream on a white backgroundEucerin UreaRepair Plus 5% Urea Hand Cream 75ml
Eucerin UreaRepair Plus 5% Urea Hand Cream 75ml

$10.00 $14.00 29% offsaving
Hand Creams for Dry Skin

About Hand Creams for Dry Skin

How to Choose a Hand Cream for Dry Skin

Start with how your hands feel. If they're a little tight after washing, a lightweight cream you can reapply all day is perfect. Rough, flaky or cracked? Go for a richer repair cream with urea or ceramides, and use it every time you wash. If your skin is dry all over, our body creams for dry skin are made to work the same way.

Helping Very Dry, Cracked Hands Recover

Cracked hands need protecting while they heal. Keep water lukewarm, pat your hands dry rather than rubbing, and apply cream straight away. A thick layer under cotton gloves overnight gives skin the best chance to repair. If your hands are prone to flare-ups, take a look at our products for eczema.

Not Sure Which Hand Cream Is Right for You?

Want advice tailored to your skin? Start with our free online skin test. You can also contact our expert team for one-to-one advice, and read our blog for expert tips on building a routine that supports your skin goals.

Nursem Caring Hand Cream, Made for Hard-Working Hands

Nursem was created with nurses in mind, people who wash and sanitise their hands dozens of times a shift. The Caring Hand Cream sinks in quickly, so you're not left with greasy hands, but it's rich enough to soothe skin that feels tight and sore. If fragrance tends to sting, go for the Unfragranced version. The 300ml pump is the one to keep by the sink.

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Urea Hand Creams for Very Dry, Cracked Hands

When hands are rough enough to catch on your clothes, a regular hand cream often isn't enough. Urea draws water into the skin and gently softens hard, flaky patches. Eucerin UreaRepair Plus and Sebamed Extreme Dry Skin Relief both use 5%, while Altruist Hand Repair Cream goes up to 10% for thicker, rougher skin. For hands that are cracked or split, Avène Cicalfate and La Roche-Posay Lipikar Xerand are made to calm and protect while the skin repairs.

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Expert Tip for Dry Hands

"Timing matters more than most people think. Apply your hand cream straight after washing, while your skin is still slightly damp, and it'll hold on to far more moisture. Keep a tube by every sink and one in your bag. If your hands are really sore, use a thick layer before bed and sleep in cotton gloves. You'll notice the difference by morning."

- Kimberley, Clinic and Customer Experience Manager.

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The Best Hand Creams for Your Dry Hands This Winter

Cold weather, central heating and constant hand washing can leave hands feeling raw by January. Our guide rounds up the hand creams our team reaches for when the temperature drops, and how to get the most out of them.

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Hand Creams for Dry Hands That Need Real Repair

The rich, hard-working creams our customers rely on when hand washing and cold weather take their toll. Sensitive skin? Try the unfragranced Nursem.
Eucerin Urea Repair hand cream on a white backgroundEucerin UreaRepair Plus 5% Urea Hand Cream 75ml
Eucerin UreaRepair Plus 5% Urea Hand Cream 75ml

$10.00 $14.00 29% offsaving
Pai Skincare Gentle Genius™ Barrier Care Rapid Rescue Hand CreamPai Skincare Gentle Genius™ Barrier Care Rapid Rescue Hand Cream
Pai Skincare Gentle Genius™ Barrier Care Rapid Rescue Hand Cream

$28.00
Sebamed Extreme Dry Skin Relief Hand Cream 5% Urea 75mlSebamed Extreme Dry Skin Relief Hand Cream 5% Urea 75ml
Sebamed Extreme Dry Skin Relief Hand Cream 5% Urea 75ml

$9.00 $10.00 10% offsaving

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes dry, cracked hands?

Frequent hand washing is the most common reason, especially with hot water and harsh soap. Cold weather and central heating make it worse, because there's less moisture in the air. Hand sanitiser can dry skin out too. The skin on the backs of your hands is thin and has few oil glands, so it loses moisture quickly.

What's the best hand cream for very dry hands?

Look for a richer formula with ingredients that pull moisture in and hold it there, such as urea, glycerin, ceramides or shea butter. Apply it after every wash, not just once a day. For dry skin elsewhere on your body, have a look at our products for dry skin.

Is urea good for dry hands?

Yes. Urea is a natural moisturising factor that's already found in healthy skin. At around 5%, as in Eucerin UreaRepair Plus and Sebamed Extreme Dry Skin Relief, it hydrates and gently smooths rough, flaky patches. Higher strengths, like the 10% in Altruist Hand Repair Cream, are better for very thick, hard skin.

Can I use hand cream if I have eczema on my hands?

Yes, and keeping the skin moisturised is a big part of managing it. Choose a fragrance-free formula made for very dry or sensitive skin, and apply it often. If your hands are weeping, bleeding or not improving, speak to your GP or pharmacist. You can also browse our products for eczema.

What's the best way to treat dry hands overnight?

Before bed, wash your hands, pat them almost dry and apply a generous layer of a rich hand cream. Then slip on a pair of cotton gloves. They help the cream sink in instead of rubbing off on your bedding, and your hands will feel much softer in the morning.

Do I need a fragrance-free hand cream?

If your hands are cracked, sore or prone to eczema, fragrance-free is the safer choice, as fragrance can sting broken skin. Nursem Caring Hand Cream Unfragranced, CeraVe Reparative Hand Cream and Avène Cicalfate are all good options. If your skin isn't sensitive, a fragranced cream is usually fine.

Can hand cream help with dry cuticles and nails?

It can. Massage your hand cream into your nails and cuticles every time you apply it, as they dry out just like your skin. A hand and nail cream such as Caudalie Vinotherapist is made to do both jobs at once.

Should I wear SPF on my hands?

Your hands get a lot of sun, which can lead to dark spots and thinner-looking skin over time. Applying your usual SPF to the backs of your hands every morning makes a big difference. Our sunscreens have lots of easy, lightweight options.