These are the days of constant hand washes and using hand sanitizer when we’re away from home on the go. Both of these things can help protect us from serious illnesses; however, if we don’t have a good hand cream or lotion, our hands can get desperately dry. Dry hands can lead to cracks, callouses, irritation, and other nasty skin issues. Plus, did you know that having dry, raw hands can actually make it harder for soap and sanitizers to work properly?
The good news is a good hand cream is easier to find than you think, and easy to have on hand, too, as most come in a convenient-to-carry sizes. To rid yourself (and your hands) of the drama of being dry, shop our list of the best hand creams for dry skin, which features popular Grove member go-tos like this Rooted Beauty Hydrating Hand Cream.
This list of products was determined by ratings and reviews from Grove members.
Good hand hygiene could mean scaly skin, but not with this Mrs. Meyer's Hand Lotion. Made with almond oil and shea butter to soothe and smooth skin, this hand lotion is never heavy or greasy like other brands. Its biodegradable, made in the USA, paraben-free, phthalate-free, and available in seven calming, aromatherapeutic, garden-inspired scents. …
A rich and fast-absorbing hand cream with shea butter and other plant-based moisturizers that moisturizes hands and cuticles and softens dry, cracked skin.
With repeated sanitizing and hand washing, your aging skin can easily dry out. Replenish lost moisture and brighten age spots with OSEA Anti-Aging Hand Cream. This nongreasy cream for hands, nails, and cuticles contains an antioxidant-rich, hydrating formula specially designed for mature skin. Each 1-ounce bottle comes with an easy-to-use pump. …
This Weleda Skin Food Body Butter offers luxurious moisture to quench skin. This body butter has a soft, whipped texture that melts into skin for decadent, silky hydration with a non-greasy feel — making it perfect for full body hydration and nourishment. Rich in shea and cocoa seed butters, Skin Food Body Butter will leave skin feeling velvety …
The more we wash our hands, the dryer they can get. Give new life to your skin with help from this Burt's Bees Hand Cream with Shea Butter. This natural hand lotion is made with nourishing ingredients such as shea butter, baobab oil, and pumpkin seed oil. It’s dermatologist-tested, hypoallergenic, sulfate-free, paraben-free, and naturally …
Egyptian Magic All Purpose Healing Skin Cream is a master at multitasking. This phenomenal healing balm can be used for just about anything, from fading scars to treating scrapes. It's uniquely formulated using a mixture of natural ingredients derived from living plants and organisms. Free from additives, added preservatives, parabens, and GMOs, …
'Caldrea Hand Lotion helps soften hard-working hands and moisturizes without being greasy or heavy feeling. A special blend of soothing shea butter, vitamin-enriched olive oil, and calming aloe vera leaves hardworking hands incredibly moisturized without feeling heavy or greasy. Perfect for use as an all-over body lotion too, the combination of …
If you stay on top of your hand-washing, you may notice that your hands start to feel a little scaley and dried out after a while. Bring relief to your hands with this Mrs. Meyer's Hand Balm in a refreshing basil scent. This Mrs. Meyer's hand lotion comes in a travel-ready, 3-ounce tube that’s easy to take on the go or use at home. It’s …
Weleda Skin Food Light ingredients include sunflower seed oil, cocoa seed butter, and shea butter to moisturize your dry skin. Enjoy an invigorating herbal blend of chamomile, calendula, viola tricolor, and rosemary extract that feed and hydrate dryness while awakening your senses. This Weleda Skin Food Light Nourishing Cream instantly hydrates …
There are brighter days ahead with Unsun’s SPF 15 Hand Cream. This emollient-rich hand cream locks in moisture while protecting skin against harmful UV rays. Revitalizing cucumber, soothing aloe vera, hydrating shea butter, and a host of plant extracts like bitter orange and lavender make this mineral sunscreen your new go-to for keeping hands …
Badger Balm is a family-owned company founded by Badger Bill, who created this super soothing Badger Balm for Hardworking Hands while working as a carpenter during a fierce New England winter. Made without any harsh ingredients — just plant-based goodness — this balm offers relief for your chapped hands and cracked fingers, or anywhere else that …
When you’re shopping for a hand cream, there are a few ingredients you may want to look out for as they hold many key benefits. Here are some natural ingredients that benefit hands and dry skin:
Why are these natural ingredients beneficial? Well, shea butter can heal, soften, and soothe skin, while vitamins E and SPF can help reduce sun damage, among other things. Vitamin B can help with signs of aging, and vitamin C can help your skin glow. Hyaluronic acid can help with dry skin, and Glycolic acid can help kick dead skin cells to the curb, making your skin appear smoother. Still not exactly sure what to look for in a hand cream or hand lotion, take a look at our list above of the best natural hand creams for dry skin.
Yes, unfortunately, even hand lotions and hand creams eventually expire. If the hand cream is kept sealed, it can last up to three years; however, if it’s opened, it may only last around a year. There might be a date on your hand cream’s package, so make sure to check. Also, if you’re opening the product but not going to use it all right away, you might want to write the date you opened it with a permanent marker on its packaging to keep track.
If you think you’ve used an expired natural hand cream and are worried, put your worries to rest as expired hand lotion shouldn’t affect you in any way. It will however not work the way it was intended, and you may still notice your skin is dried out even after applying an expired hand cream. It’s very important for your skin’s sake to use lotion before its use-by date.
Technically, you can use hand cream on your face, but we really don’t recommend doing it. That’s because like body creams and lotions, hand creams are much thicker than face lotions and face creams. Their thicker consistency can clog pores quicker than you can say, “skincare.” Clogged pores means hello blackheads and breakouts — two things we try our hardest to do without. If you don't love acne (Who does?!) then it’s probably best to stick to face creams and serums for your face.
On the flip side, face creams and lotions should also not be used on your hands as they’re created with a lighter consistency and won’t give your skin everything it needs to stay smooth and hydrated. If you’re looking for face lotions, shop all natural facial moisturizers and creams available on Grove Collaborative, and don’t forget to browse our list above to find the best hand cream for dry skin too.
At Grove, we take the guesswork out of which products are good for you and your home. Every product meets strict standards for being nontoxic, effective, sustainable, and cruelty-free. Once you find products you love, we ship to your home on a flexible, monthly schedule.
If you're ready to make the transition to natural cleaning, beauty, and household products, shop Grove Collaborative's natural products for the eco-friendly tools to tackle the job.