5 Just-Right Hand Creams That Aren’t Too Sticky, Too Greasy or Too Smelly

5 Just-Right Hand Creams That Aren’t Too Sticky, Too Greasy or Too Smelly Wendy Rodewald-Sulz

I’m a hand cream hoarder, and I’ve tried about a million types in pursuit of the hydrating holy grail. So many moisturizers are, quite frankly, a letdown: too greasy, not long-lasting, overly perfumed. But these five are all worthy of a place in your bag — or on your desk, in your glove compartment, on top of your nightstand… you get the idea. You’ll definitely want to stock up.

Keywords

hands, dry skin

Best for People Who Hate Greasy Hands Wendy Rodewald-Sulz

Leave it to a unisex brand founded by a couple of no-nonsense guys to create a hand lotion that leaves zero greasy residue. This oil-free formula moisturizes like a dream and dries so quickly, you can even open a pickle jar right after slathering it on.

Malin + Goetz Vitamin B5 Hand Treatment, $20

Keywords

hands, dry skin

Best Scent Wendy Rodewald-Sulz

The beauty section at new-to-the-U.S. retailer & Other Stories is crazy good, and the hand creams are no exception. This one leaves my skin unbelievably soft and scented with a sweet, minty fragrance that’s so delicious, yet not overpowering. The other scents in the collection — like fruity Fig Fiction and earthy Arabesque Wood — are equally divine.

& Other Stories Moroccan Tea Mini Hand Cream, $8

Keywords

hands, dry skin

Best Drugstore Hand Cream Wendy Rodewald-Sulz

It's a classic for a reason, you know. The glycerin in this hand cream gives it more of a gel texture, which absorbs into skin and leaves hands silky. And because it’s so concentrated, the little tube lasts forever.

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream, $4

Keywords

hands, dry skin

Best for Nixing Hangnails Wendy Rodewald-Sulz

If your cuticles require some extra TLC, you need a pot of this buttery cream in your life. It instantly softens the skin around your nails and isn’t messy like an oil. The beyond-rich formula is packed with good-for-skin ingredients, like raspberry stem cell extract, red algae, shea butter, and vitamins A, C, and E. I use it on the dry patches on my knuckles, too.

Deborah Lippmann the Cure Cuticle Repair Cream, $24

Keywords

hands, dry skin

Best Natural Hand Cream Wendy Rodewald-Sulz

Some all-natural hand creams have tacky textures and medicinal scents, but not this one. The formula, which is enriched with oils of baobab, pumpkin seed and watermelon seed, is easy to rub in and manages to smell subtle and pleasant without any added fragrance. A fruit acid complex gently exfoliates skin, so eventually that outer layer of flakiness will subside to reveal smooth, hand model-worthy mitts.

Burt’s Bees Ultimate Care Hand Cream, $13

Keywords

hands, dry skin