Hand care guide
Best Hand Cream for Dry, Cracked Hands: How to Choose
What actually helps dry, cracked hands: the ingredients to look for, cream vs. lotion vs. balm, how to use it, and why we make ours with glycerin.
The short answer
For dry, cracked hands, pick a cream (not a thin lotion) that pairs a humectant like glycerin, which draws water into the skin, with emollients and an occlusive that soften skin and hold that moisture in. Then use it the right way:
- Apply after every hand wash, while skin is still slightly damp.
- Choose a texture that absorbs without a greasy film, so you'll actually reapply it all day.
- If fragrance bothers your skin, choose a fragrance-free formula and check the ingredient list.
Our pick, and why we make it
Glycerine Hand Therapy™
- Glycerin is the first ingredient after water, paired with sweet almond oil and dimethicone.
- Buttery and non-greasy; it soaks in within minutes.
- Made by our family in our own Idaho factory since 1989. No animal testing.
What to look for in a hand cream for dry, cracked hands
Dry, cracked hands have lost water and the oils that keep it in. A good hand cream does three jobs at once, and the best formulas cover all three.
1. Humectants pull water in
Glycerin, hyaluronic acid, lactic acid.
In ours: plant-derived glycerin, right after water on the label.
2. Emollients soften
Plant oils like sweet almond and jojoba, shea butter, lanolin.
In ours: sweet almond oil, plus aloe and vitamin E.
3. Occlusives seal it in
Dimethicone, petrolatum, mineral oil.
In ours: dimethicone, which protects without a greasy film.
Glycerin, dimethicone, jojoba oil, hyaluronic acid, lactic acid, lanolin, mineral oil, petrolatum and shea butter are all on the American Academy of Dermatology's list of ingredients to look for in a moisturizer for dry skin.
Cream vs. lotion vs. balm: which texture works best?
Texture matters as much as ingredients. Thicker creams and ointments add more moisture than lotions, which is why dermatologists usually point people with dry hands to a cream.
| Type | Feels like | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lotion | Thin, mostly water | Light daily moisture on skin that isn't very dry | Wears off quickly; often not enough for cracked hands |
| Cream | Thicker, rich but absorbs | Dry, cracked hands you need to use all day | Richer feel; pick one labeled non-greasy |
| Balm or ointment | Thick, waxy or oily | Very dry patches, overnight | Greasy; hard to use while working or typing |
Why we build ours around glycerin
Camille Beckman started making Glycerine Hand Therapy in 1989, when our founder's own hands were dry and cracked. Glycerin was the heart of the formula then and still is: it's a humectant, so it draws moisture to the skin instead of just sitting on top. We pair it with sweet almond oil to soften and a little dimethicone to hold the moisture in, so the cream feels buttery going on and dry to the touch a few minutes later.
- Plant-derived glycerin
- Sweet almond oil
- Aloe leaf juice
- Vitamin E
- Dimethicone
- Mallow, cucumber, elder flower and other botanical extracts
We still make almost everything in our own factory in Idaho and hand-tie the satin rosebud on each jar. See all the facts or read more about glycerin.
How to get the most out of any hand cream
- Wash with lukewarm water, not hot. Hot water strips the oils your skin needs.
- Pat dry and leave hands slightly damp. Cream locks in more moisture on damp skin.
- Apply right away, every time you wash. Work it into fingertips, knuckles and around the nails. After hand sanitizer, apply once it dries.
- Keep one where you need it. A tube by the sink, at your desk and in your bag makes reapplying automatic.
- Protect your hands. Wear gloves for dishes, cleaning, gardening and cold, dry air.
- Give them a night shift. Apply a thicker layer before bed so it can work while you sleep.
Which Hand Therapy is right for you?
Same glycerin formula in every one. Pick by scent and size.
Best sellerGlycerine Hand Therapy™ 8oz CamilleOur signature Camille scent: clean floral with a soft, powdery finish.
$32 4.9 (523)
Fan favoriteGlycerine Hand Therapy™ 8oz French VanillaWarm, sweet vanilla. One of our two best-selling scents.
$32 4.9 (260)
No added artificial fragranceGlycerine Hand Therapy™ 6oz Unscented Vitamin EFor anyone who doesn't want a scent competing with their perfume.
$26 4.9 (85)
For work-worn handsGlycerine Hand Therapy™ 6oz Basics for MenMade for rough, work-worn hands.
$26 4.8 (59)
Purse & desk sizeGlycerine Hand Therapy™ 1.35oz CamilleSmall enough to keep one everywhere you wash your hands.
$14 4.9 (63)
Best valueGlycerine Hand Therapy™ 32oz CamilleLowest price per ounce for the whole household.
$84 4.9 (178)
What customers say
“My hands have been very dry from washing my hands so much and using hand sanitizer when soap and water isn't available. As soon as I received my order, I used the hand therapy and could tell a difference immediately.”
Linda R., customer review
“I knit and crochet and yarn always dries out my hands. I can put this on and continue on with my project ...not tacky at all.”
Cheryl A., customer review
“This glycerin lotion is lightweight but deeply hydrating. It leaves my skin soft, smooth, and moisturized all day without feeling greasy.”
Alicia P., customer review
“I've used the various scents for over 25 years! No other brand leaves your skin so silky and smooth, without being greasy.”
denise b., customer review
Frequently asked questions
What is the best hand cream for dry, cracked hands?
Look for a cream, not a thin lotion, that combines a humectant such as glycerin with emollients like plant oils and an occlusive such as dimethicone, and that absorbs without a greasy film so you'll reapply it after every wash. Glycerine Hand Therapy is made that way: glycerin is the first ingredient after water, with sweet almond oil and dimethicone.
Is glycerin good for dry, cracked hands?
Yes. Glycerin is a humectant that draws moisture to the skin, and the American Academy of Dermatology lists it among the ingredients to look for in a moisturizer for dry skin.
How often should I apply hand cream?
After every hand wash while your skin is still slightly damp, and any time your hands feel dry. If you use hand sanitizer, apply hand cream once it dries.
What's the difference between hand cream and hand lotion?
Creams are thicker and add more moisture than lotions, which are mostly water. For dry or cracked hands, a cream is usually the better choice.
Will a glycerin hand cream feel greasy?
It depends on the formula. Glycerine Hand Therapy is made to feel buttery going on and absorb within minutes, without leaving a greasy film.
What's the best hand cream for frequent hand washing?
Use a cream you'll actually reapply: one that absorbs quickly, kept right by the sink. Apply it every time you wash, while hands are still damp.
Is there a version without fragrance?
Our Unscented Glycerine Hand Therapy has no added artificial fragrance. It does contain a small amount of essential oils, so if your skin reacts to fragrance of any kind, check the ingredient list or ask your dermatologist.
Can I use hand cream overnight?
Yes. A thicker layer at bedtime gives the cream hours to work while your hands are out of water.
When should I see a doctor about dry, cracked hands?
If your hands crack and bleed, look infected, or stay dry after a couple of weeks of consistent care, see a board-certified dermatologist. You may need a prescription treatment.
Try the hand cream our customers have trusted since 1989
If you don't love it, you can send it back within 14 days.
Sources: American Academy of Dermatology: Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin; AAD: Dry skin relief from handwashing. Ingredient information is from our product labels.