Finding a good hand cream is like finding a parking spot in downtown L.A. It’s harder than it should be.

Everyone’s looking for their holy grail hand lotion—but with so many options available, how does one choose the best hand cream for dry skin?

Lucky for you, we’ve broken it down. First, we’ll dive into what actually causes dry skin. Then, we’ll reveal what ingredients you should always look for before purchasing your next hand cream.

First things first. What causes dry skin?

Hard Water. One thing that many people might not consider is the high concentration of minerals in your water. If you have hard water, this applies to you. These minerals absorb a lot of your skin’s natural moisture. That’s why your skin might feel “zapped” and super-dry after a long shower.

Washing Hands. You might notice that your hands feel considerably drier after washing your hands. That’s because certain soaps have chemicals and minerals in them that dehydrate the skin. Plus, remember hard water? Combine that with dehydrating soap and you’ve got some extra dry hands.

Poor Diet. This seems simple, but a healthy diet is essential to ensuring your skin is looking and feeling its best. A poor diet lacking in essential oils—like avocados, almonds and salmon—could leave your skin feeling more parched than usual. Don’t forget to hydrate.

Weather. Spoiler alert: Winter isn’t kind to your kind. Cold and dry weather strip your skin of its natural moisture. If you live in places that have low-humidity, dry winters, it’s even more important to find the right hand cream.

What makes a good lotion truly next level?

Essential Fatty Oils. Fatty oils are known to remedy the effects of extremely dry conditions on your skin. Some all-star oils include avocado oil, argan oil and sweet almond oil. Their ability to retain moisture makes this a must-have skincare ingredient when searching for the best hand cream for dry skin.

Humectants. Now we’re getting a little technical with the skincare ingredient jargon. Still, it’s straightforward. Look for ingredients from the humectant family like glycerin and glycol. These ingredients lock in moisture and are very receptive to humidity and moist environments.

Aloe Vera. Ever wish your lotion would stop leaving your hands so greasy? You’re not alone. That’s why we included aloe vera in our award-winning Chapped Skin Remedy. Aloe vera has numerous healing properties for the skin. We bet you’ve probably used it to soothe a bad sunburn, but it also helps your hand cream quickly absorb into your skin. Say goodbye to greasy lotion forever.  

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And there you have it. Wondering how to choose the best hand cream for even the driest skin shouldn’t be a mystery. Ready to try a hand lotion that actually provides long-term relief and healing for dry, cracked skin? Check out the Chapped Skin Remedy.